Imagine

Eugene Daniels

Over the last 3 days, I have cried myself to a fitful sleep. I’m a reporter which means I can’t say everything I want but I will say this: Imagine being in elementary school & your teachers telling your mom how scared they were of you when you walked in class. As a child. 

Imagine being asked by law enforcement “is this car stolen?” multiple times by different cops. Imagine being asked “what drugs do you have in the car” as soon as you hand over your driver’s license. Imagine women clutching their purses when you walk in the elevator for years. 

Imagine watching men that look like you die knowing it can happen to you. For 31 years, being a big black man has put a target on me. I am college educated, I live in DC, I work at one of the biggest news orgs in the US & I am still followed in stores. 

I still have police ask me what I’m doing in MY neighborhood. I am not insulated or protected. I am tired. I am scared. All the time. Growing up, I thought if I made people laugh and went to college and smiled, I would be safe. That’s not even close to true.