What am I willing to sacrifice to save someone other than myself?

While listening to NPR this week, I learned of an incident that took place at Spring Valley High School in Columbia, South Carolina. In the center of this story is a black, female student, an administrator, and a police officer, who may or may not have used excessive force. Upon hearing the story, I initially did not form an opinion or offer any input regarding what happened. My thoughts were simply that this case involved a student who was being disrespectful to both a school administrator and a police officer, and in response to that disrespect, and disobedience, the police officer used what some believed to be excessive force.

 A couple of days after hearing the story, I overheard the incident being discussed. By this point, I had heard the story, but had not actually seen the video. Therefore, I did not feel that I had enough information to join the discussion. I wanted to know more about this incident that seemed to have captured the country's attention, so I went looking for this video. I found it of course on YouTube.

The video captured my attention, and wouldn't let go. I found myself watching the video over and over again. While watching the video however I believe I came away with a different concern than most who had seen the disturbing piece. Whereas many who commented on the video, they were shocked and disturbed by the manner in which the police officer handled the student-hurling the young girl across the room. Sadly, I am no longer shocked by police brutality; I expect it and I'm not surprised by it.

 I found myself more alarmed and concerned by the lack of reaction by the other students in the class. Their demeanor as they sat and watched this unfold, no outrage, no pumped up fist, no screams and sirens to "stop" this unjust treatment. They sat as if this was the norm. I was saddened to see their responses. Saddened to see this generation of young people sitting in their chairs while injustice circled them because they feel they have no voice, no power. I thought about the Civil Rights Movement, and how it was led by young people. That movement flourished not because the populace felt African Americans were entitled to the rights they were seeking, it flourished because young people (who I'm sure felt afraid and powerless) were willing to stand up and be humiliated, to be kicked and punched, spat on and hosed down, to be maimed and to die to stop the injustice against a larger population.

While discussing this story, a friend of mine helped me see that if we are not willing to die, how and why can change occur? I think back to Sandra Bland, a 28-year-old black woman who was stopped for a traffic violation on July 10th in Texas. It is blatantly obvious that she was arrested because the officer did not like her tone or her attitude. She later died in her cell. I wonder whether we would have heard her name, or the story behind her death had she not lost her young life while in police custody. Her story would have been lost amidst the thousands of others that happen each year in this country. I do not know if she committed suicide or if foul play was involved, what I am saying is only when the worst happens does society pause to say, What is going on? What can we do to stop this? What am I willing to do to stop this?

During this incident, one brave student stood up and objected to that girl being tossed around like a rag doll. Perhaps we need to be more like that one brave soul!