Top 5 Racial Upheaval Moments of 2014

2014 was a banner year for racial upheaval in America. I’d like to take you all on a trip back in time with me through the rabbit hole. From open carry activists to racist cartoons; the year of our lord 2014 was full to the brim with Klanners, Vote Deniers, Racist Politicians, protests, and much more. This list will be in no particular order, so don’t get mad if your favorite moment is low on the list. To me, all racism is equal.

1. Iggy Azalea

Iggy Azalea, the Australian Hip Hop sensation had a banner year for racist tweets and victim playing. While being ‘Fancy’, she managed to climb her way to the top of the game with classic lyrics referring to herself as ‘The Runway Slave Master’. Let’s not forget her twitter account. She looooves Twitter. Cannot stay off of Twitter.

Let’s have a look at some of her best Tweets.

“Bit**** in la be stick skinny. White, Black, Mexican… Okay, so maybe not Mexican :s they still got the box body on lock”

or

” This Asian lady on the plane tried to act like she didn’t understand me, I told her a** bi*** u gone know English today cause that’s my seat”

Very nice Iggy. All of those ‘bigots’ keep harassing you for being white in Hip Hop. It has absolutely NOTHING to do with your racist commentary. Keep it Classy. Or, shall I say, “Fancy”?

2. The Michael Brown murder

On August 9, 2014 Michael Brown, an unarmed teen due to start college soon, was gunned down in the streets of Ferguson, Mo by police officer Darren Wilson. What followed that tragic event was stunning. Many thousands of dollars in donations poured in along with widespread support from across the nation. Not for the victim’s family, but for the killer.

Protests began in response to the lack of arrest of the police officer who killed Mike Brown, who was said by many witnesses to have had his hands up in the air, surrendering, at the time he was killed.

The inept handling of the case by police officials and prosecutors led to a no true bill in the grand jury. Witnesses who were known liars were allowed to testify as was the shooter, a deviation from common practice.

There still has been no justice for Mike Brown and family, although his death led to widespread protests throughout the nation. The Justice Department is investigating.

3. The Lynching of Lennon Lacy

High school football player Lennon Lacy’s death was ruled a suicide. The 17 year old was found hanging from a swing set in Bladenboro, N.C. The young man had been involved in a relationship with a 31 year old caucasian woman in his small, racially tense community. Lennon was found hanging from a belt his family did not recognize, wearing a pair of shoes that were two sizes too small. His death was ruled a suicide. His family believes he was lynched. The FBI is probing this case.

4. The Murder of Eric Garner

Eric Garner, father, husband, and sports fan was killed by the NYPD for the crime of selling loose cigarettes. It is not known if he was selling loose cigarettes at the time of his killing.

Eric Garner was accosted by police officers who suspected him of selling loose cigarettes. His death was recorded by a concerned bystander. On the video, Mr. Garner tells the officers ‘I can’t breathe!” His final words became a rallying cry for anti police violence protesters.

The officers involved in his death will not be prosecuted by the local DA’s office, the grand jury having returned a ‘no true’ bill in this case.

There has of yet been no justice for Eric Garner.

5. Fox News

Need I say more? Fox News spent much of 2014 thuggifying black Americans. As they did in 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008…

Fox News spent so much time pretending to be asking serious, ‘hard hitting’ questions, that they forgot themselves. During the Eric Garner protests, protesters chanted foul language at the cameras, letting Fox News know how the little people think of them. Fox News does not seem to like free speech aimed at them. I hope to see more people standing up to their abuse in the new year, very loudly, in a First Amendment sort of way.

So, there it is. Those are my top moments in racial upheaval for 2014.