Stories With A Heartbeat

CJ Suitt is a young black poet living in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. And he has a simple and frightening question, "Would I be shot if I called the police?" CJ uses his poetry to combat stereotypes and to build bridges of understanding. But he admits, in the wake of yet another series of high profile killings of black men by the police, something has changed. CJ no longer feels safe walking at night. This week on Stories with a Heartbeat, CJ Suitt shares his thoughts and poetry on the fear of police violence. Download This Week’s Episode CJ is not afraid of being robbed or assaulted. He is afraid of being perceived as a threat. "It's night time, I'm a black male, a dark skinned black male. I'm walking in the street. People don't see nothing but a shadow. And because there is no understanding. Or a willingness to understand. There is just a jump to a reaction," he said. But CJ is not only afraid of being perceived as a threat. He is also afraid because there is no one he can call for