Dallas Residents Prove there is Still Power in Protesting

Last Saturday, as I returned to my apartment building in Downtown Dallas - there was a Dallas police vehicle speeding in my direction on Ervay, a one way street. The officer had his lights flashing and his sirens blasting. It wasn’t until I reached the intersection of Ervay and Young Street that I realized his urgency.

Protestors were approaching the intersection, toting signs and chanting “Black Lives Matter.”

I whipped into our parking garage as quickly as I could, and ran into the middle of Young Street to capture the photo attached to this story.

Black people, white people, Hispanic people, men, women and children - some in tears and some with interlocked arms were walking in the hot Dallas heat on a Saturday afternoon with a common goal.

Systemic racism and discriminatory policing practices have finally taken a global toll on many sincere and weary hearts.

In photographing protestors over the last two weeks, I’ve made it a practice of only posting individuals with face masks, so as not to cause them any trouble with their respective jobs and careers. But this time was different. This time - many people pulled down their masks to reveal their faces. They removed their shades to display their weary eyes. Many of them stared directly into my 70-200 lens, encouraging me to capture their emotions.

Living in the very busy downtown area, I’ve been mere footsteps away from the larger demonstrations here in Dallas. I can attest that the protests have for the most part been very peaceful. I’ve stood on the corner of that faithful intersection several times, watching crowds gather, chant, display signage and then disperse when police launch tear gas.

The protests are not in vain here in Dallas.

Black people are tired of being treated like second-class citizens and black people are speaking up more so than ever. Hispanic people are showing support. Many white people are tired of the mistreatment of black people and are also not wanting to be categorized with racists white people. I’ve seen members of the Islamic faith walking in support of the protests.

In spite of the flack, the naysayers and even the man acting as President of the United States - my sincere hope is that this assertive generation will not let up on the demonstrations. We have a problem in this country and I’m not just talking about Covid-19. Racism is so American that when you protest it, many people think that you are protesting America.

It’s time that we call America out for being the complete opposite of everything it has always claimed to be in regards to the treatment of persons.