As I’m sure most of you have heard by now, the man who killed Oscar Grant was convicted of involuntary manslaughter last night. Yeah, you read that correctly: involuntary manslaughter.

During the trial, prosecutors said the 28-year-old Mehserle became angry at the 22-year-old Grant for resisting arrest. He was shot in the back while he lay face-down. Mehserle claims he mistakenly drew his gun instead of his Taser.
The jury had a choice between second-degree murder and lesser charges of voluntary and involuntary manslaughter. The jury found that Mehserle didn’t mean to kill Grant, but that his behavior was still so negligent that it was criminal. Involuntary manslaughter convictions carry a sentence of two to four years.

I don’t have any eloquent words to say right now. People everywhere have their opinion on the verdict and on the subsequent protests that have sprung up throughout California. But after the several police shootings in Detroit, the constant ICE raids in Michigan–I’m worn down to the bone. There’s nothing left to say. They have to right to kill us, they have the right to disappear us, and we have no right at all to be outraged or even protest how we are treated.

That is that.
I pray for Oscar’s family–and for Aiyana Jones and Luqman Ameen Abdullah and Chonburi Xiong’s families. I pray for all those disappeared in the last week.
I pray that someday hope will return for us all.