Philando Castile

Philando Castile. You may have heard about him. But maybe not. He is one of the many, many African Americans who’ve been murdered by cops in this country.

His story always seems to kinda be in some orbit of mine. I mean of course Mike Brown was a big one, Trayvon Martin. And now especially George Floyd’s killing on video. Has me heart-hurt and stunned with sadness and grief. With flurries of rage. Are you experiencing anything similar?

I want to take a second and recognize somebody who I think would have been your friend. I would have LOVED to have been friends with this guy. Do you know why? Because he was a lunch guy! He was a school cafeteria lunch worker. In my childhood I have fond memories of a group of lunch cafeteria people who were always smiling, steady, and supportive of me. As I think about it now because other areas of my life were so very unsteady - it’s no wonder I remember these (two ladies, in particular) in my mind and how relieved I was to see them and give a smile back. It was familiar, and I think mutual. We appreciated each other.

Not only was Philando a school cafeteria worker but he sometimes paid for lunches for kids who owed money or couldn’t pay. What a selfless thing. I aspire to be like that. I’ve always thought that was a cool quality, the ‘…I got you.’

On July 6, 2016 he was pulled over for a traffic stop. A police officer shot our friend Philando Castile point blank 5 times, killing him in front of his girlfriend and her daughter. Philando, man. I don’t know you but I knew you. Thank you. I think about you. I promise I will do better, and be a better person. I’m sorry what happened to you and may you rest in power, buddy.

#blacklivesmatter