Sons Coffee — Notes on Racism
I can’t even begin to comprehend what George Floyd went through on March 25 while sitting there powerless as his life was taken from him. Watching that footage hurt me deeply and led me to experience anger, sadness, and confusion. I’ve been hearing these stories since I can remember.
This is a photo of my grandfather, a mixed man with an African grandmother. I grew up watching him fight for justice and for the oppressed. I heard stories about him breaking into the public hospital and demanding they start treating the poor community and minorities. He marched into city hall and kept fighting for their rights until his life was threatened if they didn’t stop. He ran for mayor and got involved with the local newspaper. He learned architecture in order to design a sewer system to keep the poor part of the city from flooding and continued to fight for those in need.
Despite his efforts and the efforts of many, has anything changed? Has his voice fallen on deaf ears?
Just a few days before opening Sons Coffee, I was pulled over by a cop. The passenger in my car asked why he needed to show his driver’s license as well. By being asked that simple question, the cop felt justified to put me in handcuffs, throw me against the car, and begin threatening both of us. He told my friend to walk on the side of the highway and if we stopped walking, he’d take us to jail. He continued to put fear in me and abused his power simply because he didn’t like my friend’s answer. I’ve never felt so powerless. No one should feel that way.
Something needs to change.
So, what can we do? How can things get better? If it doesn’t hurt you to hear about these injustices, then maybe that’s where we should start. In your heart. Do whatever it takes to put yourself in your brother’s shoes, to see where they stand and be moved by their pain.
Changes need to be made with the way that Police departments operate. Maybe additional training or accountability. The police department should be held accountable by the community. After all, they are public servants. Maybe an official board made up of citizens who can evaluate police practices at a local level. Accountability needs to happen early before an issue evolves into something much more serious. This is just one idea.
At this point, I know we’re all tired of words. You are tired. At Sons Coffee, We’re going to continue to create spaces where you can speak, where you can matter, and where you can belong.
Black lives matter.
— Eder Teixeira, Sons Coffee
This is a photo of my grandfather, a mixed man with an African grandmother. I grew up watching him fight for justice and for the oppressed. I heard stories about him breaking into the public hospital and demanding they start treating the poor community and minorities. He marched into city hall and kept fighting for their rights until his life was threatened if they didn’t stop. He ran for mayor and got involved with the local newspaper. He learned architecture in order to design a sewer system to keep the poor part of the city from flooding and continued to fight for those in need.
Despite his efforts and the efforts of many, has anything changed? Has his voice fallen on deaf ears?
Just a few days before opening Sons Coffee, I was pulled over by a cop. The passenger in my car asked why he needed to show his driver’s license as well. By being asked that simple question, the cop felt justified to put me in handcuffs, throw me against the car, and begin threatening both of us. He told my friend to walk on the side of the highway and if we stopped walking, he’d take us to jail. He continued to put fear in me and abused his power simply because he didn’t like my friend’s answer. I’ve never felt so powerless. No one should feel that way.
Something needs to change.
So, what can we do? How can things get better? If it doesn’t hurt you to hear about these injustices, then maybe that’s where we should start. In your heart. Do whatever it takes to put yourself in your brother’s shoes, to see where they stand and be moved by their pain.
Changes need to be made with the way that Police departments operate. Maybe additional training or accountability. The police department should be held accountable by the community. After all, they are public servants. Maybe an official board made up of citizens who can evaluate police practices at a local level. Accountability needs to happen early before an issue evolves into something much more serious. This is just one idea.
At this point, I know we’re all tired of words. You are tired. At Sons Coffee, We’re going to continue to create spaces where you can speak, where you can matter, and where you can belong.
Black lives matter.
— Eder Teixeira, Sons Coffee
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