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Abbie -true to form, gave us a show that will stay with me for the rest of my life. He yelled about the war, and our governments thrust for the blood of its people. He spoke of the unfair way in which blacks are treated in this country. Of how the establishment built America on the backs of slaves, then robbed them of their rightful place in its free society. He said they gave their blood and even their lives to build what they could not have, freedom. as I listened, I got swept away, swept up into believing that maybe, just maybe we can make a difference. Maybe we could force our leaders to end the war. Even free those who lived in a free society yet had never tasted freedom. His words swept through the crowd like a mutated virus, attacking the ideals of an establishment that had forgotten the will of its people. As he spoke, my mind was pointed upward, pulling me higher and higher, lifting me, until I was set free and spewed forth from the mold of my parents, a mold of racism, hatred and bigotry. I along with many that day, experienced a new birth. Standing naked in the light of truth, the dawn of a new age had begun; a revolution burning in our souls, the age of innocents forever shattered. When it was over the thunder of cheers and the chanting of freedom rang out. I walked high that day, on the clouds of hope, but soon hope would be lost. The most exciting day of my life took on a whole new meaning, to protect and serve had a meaning of its own. Ghastly demonic souls sent from the farthest recess of hell, police in riot gear converged on us. Like a rag doll in a child’s arm as she runs, I fly. Lifting me off my feet and moving me through the crowd, Ricky; in true big brother form, leads me. Disoriented and confused instinct keeps me on his heels. Like Moses parting the Red Sea, he breaks through the line, sending officer and night stick on a downward spiral. From behind, a lion hits me like a gazelle on the Serengeti, the explosion of lights and sounds fizzle as day turns to night; I’m reduced to easy prey for a carnivorous cop. Why is the price for freedom always blood?
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