Jacob Blake’s sister: ‘I want change!’

More News

Letetra Widman
Video Still / The Guardian

Jacob Blake was shot 7 times in the back by Kenosha police. His sister, Letetra Widman, spoke to the media in Kenosha on August 25:
“I am my brother’s keeper. And when you say the name Jacob Blake, make sure you say father. Make sure you say cousin. Make sure you say son. Make sure you say uncle. But most importantly, make sure you say human.
“Human life. Let it marinate in your mouth, in your minds. A human life. Just like every single one of y’all and everywhere around, so we’re human. And his life matters. So many people have reached out to me telling me they’re sorry that this happened to my family. Well, don’t be sorry. ’Cause this has been happening to my family for a long time, longer than I can account for.
“It happened to Emmett Till. Emmett Till is my family. Philando [Castile], Mike Brown, Sandra [Bland]. This has been happening to my family and I’ve shed tears for every single one of these people that it has happened to.
“This is nothing new. I’m not sad. I’m not sorry. I’m angry. And I’m tired. I haven’t cried one time. I stopped crying years ago. I am numb. I have been watching police murder people that look like me for years.
“I’m also a Black History minor. So not only have I been watching it in the 30 years I’ve been on this planet, but I’ve been watching it for years before we were even alive.
“I’m not sad. I don’t want your pity. I want change!”

+ Articles by this author

The People’s Tribune opens its pages to voices of the movement for change. Our articles are written by individuals or organizations, along with our own reporting. Bylined articles reflect the views of the authors. Articles entitled “From the Editors” reflect the views of the editorial board. Please credit the source when sharing: peoplestribune.org. Please donate to help us keep bringing you voices of the movement for change. Click here. We’re all volunteer, no paid staff. The People’s Tribune is a 501C4 organization.

Featured

Elections: The People Have Spoken Loud and Clear

The midterm election victories were not so much an endorsement of the Democrats as a social revolt against the ongoing assault on the people. The people demanded that their voices be heard and their needs be addressed. There will no doubt be more upheavals to come.

Michigan Senate Race Could Signal Game Changer in Electoral Politics

The world is watching Abdul El-Sayed, candidate for U.S. Senate race in Michigan.

Let Love Be The Uprising

"There is a particular kind of courage in remaining tender when the world rewards brutality," writes poet Sarah Hackney.

A Vision For a City We Can Live In

A mayoral candidate's platform in Oregon symbolizes many campaigns for change nationally, highlighting concrete platforms for change that include local control by the public, housing/homelessness first, food, jobs, health, and more. 

US Terrorizes Migrants and Countries, Witnesses Tell Mexico City Tribunal

A series of International Tribunal of Conscience hearings held over the last eight months in the US and Latin America have gathered testimony on US crimes against migrants and countries. The hearing this month in Mexico City featured around 40 witnesses from more than 16 countries.

More from the People's Tribune