One Step Closer? by Markita

One Step Closer? by Markita - October 2019 Scholarship Essay

Do you ever go out driving with a fear of getting pulled over, and POSSIBLY losing your life? For a considerably large amount of people, their answer would be simple, no. But for myself, my brother and the majority of black America. We're in constant fear for our lives and especially when asked to retrieve our license and registration. I would like to move close to a possible solution to all the police-related violence and deaths. I worry that I or my brother could become the next hashtag without justice in our corner, along with all the other victims and future victims to come. My idea is not the solution to the unjust, but it's a step, that could eliminate a fraction of the fear. I believe if we made a folder, that contained our license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance, and any other paperwork that we think an officer may require. We wouldn't have to dig in our pockets and purses to find our wallet. Also our hands would never be out of the officer's view. No searching through the glove compartment to find the rest of the papers, so nothing gets mistaken as a weapon. The folder would either be kept on the dashboard of the car so your hands will be seen at all times when reaching for it. This folder could also be kept on the passenger seat when driving alone or your passenger if there's one Present, could either hold it or pick it up as you're pulling over. The main focus is on our hands. As long as the police see them, they have no ammunition to justify our deaths. I feel as though if they are continuously found NOT guilty after seeing our hands the entire interaction. We're going to need a new system in place, new laws, and YEARS of training to become an officer and not just a few months. If not we may have to just throw away the entire police force. And train the new generations in the way that they should go, this will ensure the safety of not just Black America but all the minorities.