We don’t celebrate a man going to jail…We’re celebrating that justice was served!

This is the sentiment I received from the speech Rev. Al Sharpton gave (NBC News) when the verdict was read.

Wow!! I never thought that in my lifetime that the world would see a White police officer be found guilty of the more serious charges of murder when killing an unarmed Black man. This means so much to me. It tells me that times are changing. Now that the world can see the heart of America. America is being forced to change the perception of Freedom and Democracy in this country into reality. We as Americans need to practice and live in real Freedom and true Democracy, not the perception of...!

As the verdict was being read, I began to cry. Why? Well, I have seen, been the subject of police brutality, and been in trouble with the law. I have witnessed two different justice systems, one for Black and Brown people and one for White Americans.

When Black people complained about this violent treatment we received from law enforcement, I felt that nobody believed us, like, we were crying wolf. Today, with all the street cameras, cell phones, and now eyewitnesses of all races, the nation can no longer turn away and rely solely on the opinion and the ‘police report’ of the officer accused and not the complainant (Us). This time, it was a public lynching as of old. This time the nation witnessed it.

What this means to me; We can start to breathe again. We can start to live free. We can begin to heal the inherited wounds that keep opening every time an unarmed Black human being is killed by a White rogue officer. WE need to do better. WE can do better as a nation.

We still have a long, long way to go before we get true and equal freedom in this country. However, I feel that this verdict can mean a longer, better life for People of Color, particularly Black People.

I and my Family and Friends can Breathe better now.