The Soft Spoken Man with Strong Words

Tekulve Jackson Vann is soft spoken African American man that grew up in

Milledgeville, Georgia. He said to me those who have a voice must stand up and speak

for those who will not be heard. He graduated from Georgia Military Prep School. He

then attended Brigham Young University where he earned a Bachelor of Science

degree in Marriage,Family, and Human Development. At BYU he teamed up with a

colleague, Anthony Walker, for them both to co-author a a book, Broken Homes

Solid Futures. Later on he completed a Master of Science degree in Marriage and

Family Therapy from Valdosta State University in Georgia. He is now in Utah again

currently pursuing a PhD to further his work.

I recently interviewed and had a discussion with Tekulve about his thoughts on

police brutality and really prejudice against people of color in our country. When asked

about the current situation in our country involving people of color and police officers, he

had some very interesting points and observations that he shared. When asked if he

thinks colored people are treated differently or more hostile in police altercations he

mentioned a few stories. One story he mentioned is about Justine Damond, a white
australian woman who was shot by a police officer when she had actually called the

police. Two interesting things he said were Why didnt they mention anywhere in the

report that she slapped the back of the patrol car when approaching it, instantly startling

and raising tensions in an already stressful situation? and why was it necessary to

mention that the police officer was Somalian (black) and Muslim and that he acted like a

*scared animal* (actually written in an article)? What does race and religion have to do

with a mistake or police altercation? What does that effect other than to portray fear and

a bad image for that race and religion in the media?

Throughout our interview he was welcomed to speak freely and openly on

thoughts about the subject of police treatment of people of color. He mentioned the

story of a man named Dylann Roof who entered a African American church and opened

fire. He said How come an active shooter that has killed 9 people is treated carefully

and every precaution is taken to bring him in alive, where as a large or intimidating

unarmed black person in a much less serious or dangerous police altercation will end

up being shot 6 plus times? another thing he mentioned is the fact that when a person

of color is killed by police their dirty laundry is brought to surface. A situation that has

nothing to do with these previous problems or issues is now being validated because 5

years ago the victim shoplifted a candy bar in the 8th grade. What does this have to do

with anything that just happened?

Tekulve is a man with power when he does speak. I think all could agree with his

education and work as a the Clinical Director at a recovery lodge that he is a person
that cares for others. He believes in other people and their power to change and to

become better. One thing that he once said is injustice anywhere is a threat to justice

everywhere As a black man he understands the issues that he faces. He tells about

whenever he is pulled over he is sure to have his license and registration out and on his

lap with the light on in his vehicle with hands on the steering wheel. He mentions this is

normal and really should be custom for most traffic stops but Im always sure to do it to

be sure an officer doesnt get uneasy for whatever reason when I have to dig through a

glove box or reach all over the car. The sad thing is that there are a lot of people that

dont live with that fear because it doesnt cross their mind that a cop may think theyre

reaching for a weapon. Their standard is to wait for the cop to approach and ask for

documents before they begin grabbing them without thinking twice.

Mr Vanns wish is that those who are unaffected can be empathetic to the

situation. He knows its difficult to sense inequality when one is not affected by it. A

white person may never face discrimination or fear being create just based off of their

appearance or skin color. He gave a few eye opening instances. Lets talk about Colin

Kaepernick, Michael Vick, and Ben Roethlisberger. Michael Vick a black man committed

the crime of dogfighting and was sentenced and served prison time before being

released, he was given a second chance by very few at first and was finally picked up

by the Eagles and was still under much scrutiny.

Ben Roethlisberger was accused of sexual assault a very serious crime and the

incident was never really pursued or very well resolved and this did not affect his career.

In fact many downplayed the incident saying hes just an immature not too far out of
college kid and he was still able to play in the NFL and win SuperBowls. Many people

dont even know about this part of his past. Finally, Colin Kaepernick.. this is where the

confusion and emotion comes why is he not on a football team, and so widely criticized

by the entire country? He committed no crime, he simply took a knee to ultimately take

a stand against injustice. This is a powerful point that has been dwelling in Tekulve

mind for some time.

Why is it that Americans are up in flames about a man not standing for the

national anthem when people of color are being mistreated and even killed in the streets

for no validated reason? The point he believe it boils down to is that people with a voice

need to take a stand for those who dont have a voice, those unaffected by this need to

realize the problem and consciously choose to make a change. If the tables were

turned the whole nation would be in outrage and no longer downplaying mistake and

altercations poorly handled, someone like Kaepernick wouldnt be discredited for not

being a real black man for having grown up in a wealthy family. The thing he would

want to know is why do people feel threatened by African Americans, was it their

upbringing? And how do you change that? How can we gain the same view to fix what

is broken?

In conclusion Id like people to think about how different your life could be if the

color of your skin was a little bit darker or lighter. Would you be more concerned or

nervous in a police altercation? Also would you begin to to see the inequality we have

today if you were on the side where its unfair?

 Sources:
Ross, Janell. Minneapolis, response to police shooting of white woman by Somali

officer has been different. The Washington Post, The Washington Post, 2 Aug. 2017,

Works Cited:

www.washingtonpost.com/national/in-minneapolis-response-to-police-shooting-of-white-

woman-by-somali-officer-has-been-different/2017/08/01/e14aec18-7237-11e7-803f-

a6c989606ac7_story.html?utm_term=.471a49e9b3ad. Accessed 20 Sept. 2017.

Payne, Ed, et al. Charleston church shooting suspect arrested in N.C. CNN, Cable

News Network, 18 June 2015, www.cnn.com/2015/06/18/us/charleston-south-carolina-

shooting/index.html.

Vann, Tekulve Jackson, and Jon Heaton. Prejudice in America. 20 Sept. 2017.