I’m so tired of hearing news in the media about a murdered African American that’s passed and their families receiving financial “compensation” for their loved ones death. I recently learned about advancements in two major cases: the Emmett Till case and the Breonna Taylor case. First, I learned that senators are fighting to get Emmett Till and his mother the highest civilian honor. Then, I heard about the family of Breonna Taylor being granted a $12 million settlement. (Links to articles are below).
As a Black American, I have to acknowledge that the family was “compensated” in some kind of way for their trouble and grief; and/or in the case of Emmett Till’s family, they now have someone fighting for them, but is it really making things right? I say no. I feel like the message being sent with these money compensations is that “Black bodies are dispensable”. I feel like the country is saying, it’s okay for Black bodies to be sacrificed, as long as their remaining loved ones receive some kind of financial “reimbursement”. I also feel it sends another message to society; and that’s that African Americans only really care about money in the long run. Many bystanders have their eyes glued to the victims’ families and may feel these cases have been “won”, but who really wins when your loved one is taken from this world and all the world has to offer up is money..? Not prosecuting the violent offenders and the police officers responsible for the death of both Emmett and Breonna speaks volumes and let’s the Black community know that we are dispensable; especially when it comes to having to save others or us.
As a result of this and as a Black American, I feel that this country believes Black bodies are dispensable. I feel that no matter how much I go against the stereotypes and try to really make a difference, I will always be seen as dispensable. What will it take to change this?
Link on Emmett Till case: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/senators-seek-highest-civilian-honor-emmett-till-his-mother-n1240311
Link on Breonna Taylor case: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/15/us/breonna-taylor-settlement-louisville.html
Unruly Bodies 
The truth is in every word I just read. Black bodies nowadays (and throughout history) have had a price tag on them. Its okay if you kill these people, but the state will give you money to shut your family up. Its as if these bodies don’t matter. The reimbursement seems, to me, almost more disrespectful than just letting the killers roam free, because money does not equal justice. Throwing cash at the grieving families seems so disingenuous and it angers me even more. There has to be another way.. oh wait the other way is to stop killing us.
Thank you for so clearly articulating this notion. And thank you for being so personally honest, too. One thing that really stuck out to me about what you shared was the message you said was sent to society that says “African Americans only really care about money in the long run.” This notion that Black existence can be boiled down to something so transactional and so economic is so dehumanizing. That idea initially made me think of the racist, controlling image we have of Welfare Queens, who supposedly will do what it takes to “game the public welfare system.” This image suggests blatantly dishonest, wrongful notions about Black people, particularly Black women, that are similar to what you’ve highlighted. Your post also seems so closely connected to other ways the Black body has historically been forced to be an economic commodity, though you didn’t necessarily speak on all of them explicitly!