Black is Option Less

watchful eyes.

BMJ.

It is short for the black justice movement. It is a pro-black movement that was created in 2003. This movement mainly focuses on getting justice for black individuals who were wronged by the so-called justice system of America. This movement was a response to the black incarceration rate in America. That of which is 5 times higher compared to white individuals. Even though white people overall commit more crimes than their black counterparts. Discounting murder it is only right to assume that the real threat to society is white people, and yet it is blacks who are criminalized.

The movement itself did its job.

With the help of BMJ, a good percentage of innocent black males and females locked up behind bars were freed. Unfortunately like every other black movement, it was targeted by both sides of the political party. The media accused the group of releasing cold hard criminals. As such BMJ's founding quickly dropped, and its membership decreased.

The movement soon died a year later.

That is just one of the many examples of black movements being ridiculed and beaten down. People say that black people should better themselves, and yet when they try they are hit by a wall.

Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, the black panther party. Over and over again they try to better themselves. Only to be hit by a wall. When you push someone over the age they are likely to snap. When you push an entire group over the edge it's the same result. However, in truth no matter what black people do they will be treated like the bad guys. If you always gonna be portrayed as the villain then why be a hero?

******

You can tell a lot about people just by the way they hold themselves.

Jade's grandfather uses to tell her that all the time. Luckily for her, she decided to take his words to heart.

Especially when dealing with her new neighbors.

From inside her house, Jade watched as a box truck pulled into the house across the street. Beside the truck was a small car.

"Stalking the new neighbors again?"

Rolling her eyes the dirty blonde glanced behind her. Only to see her uncle staring at her with a raised eyebrow. 

"I'm not talking."

"A professional psychiatrist would disagree."

Jade opened her mouth to respond. However, after glancing over at the kitchen where her mon was she closed her mouth. That caused Mateo to grin. Jade wondered if it was truly possible to hate and love someone at the same time. As she was busy thinking this Mateo looked over at the window.

"Huh, looks like you in the business of making friends your age."

Shaking her head Jade looked over at the window. Only to narrow her eyes upon seeing two figures standing in the middle of the driveway.

One figure stood around 4'6" tall. The figure was male, chocolate-skinned, brown eyes, with black puffy hair. If Jade had to guess he looked somewhere between 11 and 13 years old. He wore a dark sleeveless shirt and black nylon shorts. Jade watched as he looked around his surroundings. From his body language alone Jade could tell he was confident. Yet that didn't stop him from being wary of his surroundings.

Beside him was another figure. This was a 4'4" tall, female with white skin and brown puffy hair. She had a matching set of brown eyes and looked to be around the same age range as the male. She wore a grey zipped-up hoodie and a pair of grey shorts. Unlike the male bedside, she didn't display confidence. Instead, she rocks back and forth on her knees. Her eyes darting up and down the street. From this Jade could tell that she was more nervous than anything. She watched as the boy muttered something under his breath. She had no clue what he said, but whatever it was it caused the girl to behave munch more calmly than before.

Suddenly Jade saw an elderly woman with black hair pop out from the front door. A second or two later both kids ended up going inside the house.

"It looks like we're gonna have some interesting folks living across from us."

"You can say that again" Jade agreed.

Of course, at the end of the day, only time will tell.

******

"Someone was watching us" Andres stated.

"Not surprising dear," Chantelle told her grandson. They were new to the neighborhood after all. As such prying eyes are expected. "Anything else?"

Chantelle watched as the two glanced at one another. It reminded her so much of her children back in the day. Oh, how she wished things could have been different.

After a moment Imani spoke up. Her voice was soft, hesitant. Very unlike her brother spoke with confidence and certainty.

"W-we we're wondering if we could put the flag up."

Chantelle chuckled.

"Right after you help me unpack."

Both kids nodded in agreement. Imani was all smiled while Andres looked serious.

The grandmother smiled.

*******

Unpacking wasn't exactly an easy afar. Luckily Chantelle had help from the movers she hired. With her grandchildren also lending it didn't take long for them to finish. That left them with one last item on their list.

"You do it."

Imani looked at her brother in surprise. Usually, he would be the one who dealt with the flag. Andres King Jackson was many things, but a person willing to go against routine wasn't one of them.

"Are you sure?"

He looked over at her. In his eyes, Imani saw no clear doubt in his decision.

"As sure as our ancestors who rebelled against the evil of the white race."

Something inside Imani's chest tightened at his words. It's not that she disagreed with his words. Rather than once again reminded her of the mark upon her skin.

The mark of the white man.

"You aren't doubting the cause are you?"

Upon hearing this Imani quickly shook her head. "To doubt now would do nothing but put shame upon the ones who died before me."

Andres stared at her.

Imani stared back. Determination flashed in her eyes.

After a moment he nodded. She saw a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. Imani smiled back before turning and marching forward. Flag in hand. After a moment she stopped. Taking a deep breath Imani raised her head high. She did not want her ancestors above to look down upon her with discontent. She hoped by doing this she'll fall within their favor.

She closed her eyes before muttering the words that signify her belief and the spirit of her people.

"To be black is to be true, to be true is to be free, to be free is to be willing to die for freedom, so is my way and the way of my ancestors."

With that Imani planted the Pan African flag into the ground.

Behind her, Imani felt the approving gaze of her brother. At that moment she felt a sense of pride swell within her chest. Looking up at the sky Imani briefly wondered if her ancestors were looking back down at her.

If they weren't Imani knew she could make them.