Actor Jesse Williams is never one to shy away from discussions on politics and racial justice.
On Wednesday, Williams joined the chorus of users online who have spoken out about the death of Sandra Bland, a 28-year-old black woman who was arrested for improper signaling and found dead in her jail cell three days later. Investigators say her death was a suicide — but her family suspects foul play.
In one powerful series, Williams numbered and shared 24 tweets on his thoughts on Bland’s death and how America’s justice system deals with race:
1 Some thoughts on #SandraBland & millions of Americans exhausted by paid servants destroying instead of defending lives. And those
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) July 22, 2015
2 reflexively parroting weak slogans; squealing for violence & murder from behind a centuries-old wall of perfectly visible privilege.
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) July 22, 2015
3 This country is FULL of Americans who actively exercise their rights when given unlawful, unclear orders by police.
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) July 22, 2015
4 Refusing to roll down windows, present ID, hand over assault rifles, answer ANY questions, etc.
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) July 22, 2015
5 THEY are lauded as heroes; patriots. Message boards swell w/ Police being ridiculed & laughed at by this Patriot-Class of Americans.
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) July 22, 2015
6 Without fail, when select Americans excercise their rights, message boards FILL w praise for the resisting citizen & mockery of police.
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) July 22, 2015
7 An entire political party [re]constructed loudly claiming to RESIST “gov’t tyranny” while actively CELEBRATING [certain] gov’t tyranny!
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) July 22, 2015
8 A select segment of Americans are granted the privilege of being able to resist said tyranny, scream at it, punch, shove or elude it.
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) July 22, 2015
9 For membership consideration, this club has ONE requirement: the citizen(s) resisting police/the law/status quo must be white.
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) July 22, 2015
10 Every time the story involves a black citizen, doing far less, presumed guilt BEGINS as their’s to shed. But one cannot shed blackness.
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) July 22, 2015
11 Blackness turns “awesome!” or “badass!” to “thug” “nigger” faster than a speeding bullet. Whiteness turns villain to hero in a flash.
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) July 22, 2015
12 As we well know, police are not THE law. They swear to UPHOLD & ENFORCE the law in a professional, courteous manner, whenever possible.
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) July 22, 2015
13 Otherwise, whenever we had a problem, we’d just call our friends, local gangs or the mob to handle problems.
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) July 22, 2015
14 The mob, gangs and citizens can be prosecuted though.
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) July 22, 2015
15 Should there should be a discernible difference b/t thugs & police?
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) July 22, 2015
16 You can’t arrest someone for “resisting arrest.” That’s bullshit. Clearly state the charge & when resisted, that’s an additional charge.
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) July 22, 2015
17 WE DO NOT BEGIN AS POLICE PROPERTY, to be freed or detained based on some guy’s mood or feeling. We are not theirs.
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) July 22, 2015
18 Police weapons & cuffs do not dissolve if we don’t like their attitude. Our rights should remain intact if they’re displeased w/ ours.
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) July 22, 2015
19 #SandraBland‘s treatment while attempting to travel freely on HER public roadways has been acknowledged as unlawful. She is already dead.
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) July 22, 2015
20 Blackness is born to be w/ 2.9 strikes. A life that can & will be snatched by it’s nation at any time, any place. Any age, any gender.
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) July 22, 2015
21 Those who relentlessly excuse all anti-black state violence cheerlead when people born of their same complexion resist cops & presidents.
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) July 22, 2015
22 What follows is an easily searchable sampling of the glaring daily white privilege not afforded to millions of Americans
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) July 22, 2015
23 who’s lives are forever damaged or destroyed, while millions cheer and/or avert their gaze:
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) July 22, 2015
24 Before we begin, please list ALL infractions punishable by spontaneous murder at the hands of any police or white citizen. #ShowYourWork
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) July 22, 2015
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