"My name is Earl". But you already knew that.

I know that when y'all first heard the story of the poor brotha down in Florida (Where else? )being arrested 62 times for trespassing WHERE HE WORKS, you all thought that it was a joke. ("Oh, here we go again. Those blacks making up stories about racism where racism doesn't exist.")

But, sadly, "in color aroused" America, where "stop- and- frisk" has become the norm, and where the rights of poor people and people of color pale in comparison to those who occupy the halls of power, (I see you Trey Radel)  occurrences like this have become the new normal.

I can't imagine what I would do if the po po stopped and harassed me over 258 times. (Once a week over a four year period). They harassed this poor brotha like it was a part of their job description. Service revolver?  Check. Roll Call? Check. Daily briefing? Check. Start routine patrol? Check. Go and harass Earl Sampson at the convenience store? Check. I mean I know that we all look alike, but dyaam!

I worry about people like Earl Sampson as well. I hope this is not typical of the Negro in places like Florida. Have the system beaten them down so much that they don't even realize when their rights are being trampled upon? Because honestly, if folks start viewing this kind of injustice as normal, then we have an even bigger problem on our hands.

I am just thankful that the man's boss (my FNOTD) recognizes injustice.

"They ask him, 'What are you doing here?'" recalled Saleh. "He said, 'I work here.' The clerk said he works here. I said, 'I'm the owner, let him go. I work here.' The officer said, 'Yeah right.'
"So he has more power than me!"

According to Saleh, it doesn't stop there.

In addition to video appearing to show Sampson being grabbed by an officer while taking out the trash and at another time searched against a wall, Saleh accuses them of searching throughout his store without a warrant.

They're just stopping anybody who walks in the city or who comes into my store," argued Saleh. "You can't violate people's rights just by standing in front of a business. You have no right to pull me against the wall and search me and question me for no reason."
Welcome to America Mr. Saleh.  Now if you want equal rights you better work harder, get a bigger store, and move it out of that neighborhood.

Here in the land of [only some] are free, rights are not exactly equal.

I am sorry you had to learn this way, but I am even more sorry for your employee.