Civic Artifact Speech

Civic Artifact Speech- Script/ General Outline
Ieshia Evans, a nurse, a mother to a young boy, an American working class citizen, and peaceful
protestor. And yet nobody would know that by looking at this photo that was published
everywhere from the New York Times to Twitter and Instagram. The first thing I thought when I
saw this photo 2 years ago, was “What did she do to deserve to be arrested by SWAT”. And yes I
did just say SWAT. When in reality she is being arrested by everyday police officers in Baton
Rouge, Louisiana, who are dressed as if they are going to war. All because of a peaceful protest
over the death of Alton Sterling. The sight of cops dressed in SWAT gear has become so
prevalent in America, that I don’t know that many people are phased by it anymore. You can tell
that even Ms. Evans, isn’t, by the way, she is standing. Her posture is straight, the wind is
blowing her dress, and she looks like she is no threat, and yet, these officers are approaching her
as if she is. Just look at how they are standing in the background, lined up, ready to strike at any
moment.
But what doesn’t make sense to me is why I have this fear instilled in me that when I see a police
officer I have to stand up straight, look forward and try to act as innocent as possible. Because if
I don’t I could end up like Iesha and many others who have fallen at the hands of a system build
up against black people in America. But then I remember this photo and I realize, it doesn’t
matter how you look or how you stand, you are already a threat in the eyes of the law.
Now I can’t speak for any of you but based on what I’m seeing most of you can walk up and
down the street and into stores and not have a care in the world. But when I step outside, I’m
immediately followed and watched everywhere I go. In stores, at the park, walking down the
street. But I have it better than most because there are people out there who every time they step
outside their house they don’t know what’s going to happen or if they’ll return home. But this
one act by Ms. Evans tied with the black lives matter movement is trying to improve this.
For the past 5 years, the movement has been bringing awareness to moments like Iesha Evans,
Treyvonn Martin, Alton Sterling, Tony Robinson, Tamir Rice, Michael Brown Jr., and countless
others who were just “black” in the wrong place, at the wrong time. But that’s no excuse. What
saddens me even more at this moment is that most people don’t know who these people were and
why their names are now significant… Now I could stand up here and tell you each of their
stories and how their time on this Earth was cut short by one bullet fired from an officer who felt
“threatened”, but what good would that really do? Because people have been doing that for
decades, and yet there has been little to no change.
This movement has led to more support and questioning of our police system, than ever before.
We have more and more officers being suspended or fired for committing these acts than ever
before. This movement is a way for people of color and others to come together and voice their
opinions in peaceful ways. In the last 5 years they have held over 31 notable protests. Most of
which result in people like Iesha being arrested for “disturbing the peace”. But what does this
really mean? Because my definition and the definition of the police who keep killing these men
and arresting people of color is completely different… But what can I do about it?
Well, I can stand here and tell all of you what it’s like to be black in America, and explain to you
how people like Ms. Evans are paving the way for improvement in this country and bringing
awareness to a topic that tends to be discussed at the moment and then forgotten hours later. But
that's not going to change many people's minds, is it?
I bet most of you forgot this photo even existed until now and that’s understandable, but this
photo hasn’t left my mind since the day it was taken and released over two years ago. It let me
know that there was hope and that I could be more than a face in a crowd fighting for change.
This photo represents improvements, it represents a movement… Thank you.
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Civic Artifact Speech- Script/ General Outline

decades, and yet there has been little to no change.

that's not going to change many people's minds, is it?

This photo represents improvements, it represents a movement… Thank you.

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