Je suis Chip

(Some of the young, black men killed by police under "questionable" circumstances. Photo/Courtesy of ebonstorm.wordpress.com)

With the death of Freddie Gray, is this the tipping point?

Will we - now - examine why so many in the joint

Are not white or wealthy? Why they're poor and, mostly, black?

Why it's only if you're white police cut you some slack?

Not that I'm complaining, mind you...  Thank you very much

To the cop who let me go when speeding... Just a touch.

'though I wasn't happy when I saw his flashing blues,

There was not a moment when I trembled in my shoes.

Were I not so lily-white would I have held my breath

Fearing that the interaction could be life or death?

Most police "Protect and Serve" but if you cannot trust

That they're there to keep you safe and not to make a bust

Why on earth would anyone go looking to the cops?

(When you're black they'll look for you at future, "random" stops.)

Neighborhood policing is the only thing that works;

Daily demonstrating that most cops don't act like jerks.

I Am Chip

 (Warning: Mr. Chappelle's routine contains graphic language.)

Dave Chappelle's a brilliant comic.  Dave Chappelle is black.

Dave did a routine about police a few years back;

Told some stories of past interactions with the cops...

His friend Chip and he involved in minor traffic stops.

Both of them as high as kites (and Chip was driving drunk)

Still, he didn't find himself spread-eagled on his trunk.

Chip received a warning; the exchanges were polite.

Dave was shocked to see how cops treat people who are white.

Wasn't his experience in dealings with the law;

Blacks are frightened by police and that's a fatal flaw.

You'd feel smothered too if cops were breathing down your neck.

If I didn't trust police I'd be a nervous wreck.

Just like Chip, I've always felt policemen were my friends

But, with recent studies showing such disturbing trends,

I would not feel quite so sure if I weren't quite so pale...

Fearful that the slightest thing could land my butt in jail.

We have got to shift perceptions; training is a start

And the body camera idea is also smart.

That way cops can document if people give them lip

And they're motivated to treat everyone like Chip.