Featured, JustRandom, Our People, THE 242

Bahamian Living in US: “I Literally Feel like I’m Going to Die”

July 11, 2016

Tensions are super high throughout the United States right now.

In the wake of two black men being killed by police officers in two separate states and incidents, racial, cultural and community tensions once again swelled throughout America.

The police shooting deaths of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Philando Castile in Falcon Heights, Minnesota, who were both unarmed, and then five police officers being killed and eight others injured during a #blacklivesmatter protest in Dallas, Texas, has seemingly put everyone in the U.S. on edge.

That’s why one Bahamian living in Atlanta, Georgia says he locked himself in his house for three straight days last week, during the height of the chaos. He said he feels like at any time he could be the next one murdered.

Jakhan Guillaume is a Bahamian who’s lived in The United States for several years, moving from Tampa, Florida to the ATL in recent times.

“Like, I literally feel like I’m going to die,” he says. “When I’m driving and I see a cop, I immediately become afraid and I constantly watch my mirrors to see if they’re turning around to follow me.”

In the wake of the police shootings and police deaths, massive protests and marches have been organized in major U.S. states, some turning violent and resulting in multiple arrests.

Jakhan says tempers and tensions are so high right now, that police officers are seemingly stopping any and everyone they come into contact with. Just recently Jakhan says one of his worst fears came true, when he was followed and then pulled over by police.

“Me and my best friend, just last week, got followed all the way to our destination by a cop,” he says. “The cop ran my tags but found nothing so they turned around and left.”

He says in light of what has happened in recent police stops in America, he thinks he’s lucky to be alive today.

Making matters worse, the proud Bahamian adds that his panic is heightened because he’s a gay black Bahamian living in America.

“I feel more like I’m more of a minority though,” he adds. “I’m black, gay, and a foreigner. Triple whammy. Imagine being black and gay in America right now.

“One of my friends, she is transgender and got pulled over the over day. When the police asked for her ID and realized she was born a male they made her get out of her car and strip naked in the middle of the street and made her stand there while people were driving by. True story!”

Despite these incidents Jakhan says he doesn’t think all officers are bad, but they are certainly ruining the perception and reputation of the good ones.

The Bahamas government last week released a travel advisory warning all Bahamians travelling to certain U.S. states, to be vigilant in the wake of heightened tensions there.

“We wish to advise all Bahamians traveling to the U.S. but especially to the affected cities to exercise appropriate caution generally,” the advisory reads in part. “In particular young males are asked to exercise extreme caution in affected cities in their interactions with the police. Do not be confrontational and cooperate.”

Jakhan says during those three days he spent afraid, anxious and hidden in his home, were some of the worst he’s ever experienced.

“The first two days, I was really caught up in social media and the news and that really sent me into a state of worry and panic and I was just so afraid,” he adds. “But I prayed and I had to tell myself, ‘Jakhan when you wake up in the morning you have to get back to life, you can’t allow this to take over your mind.'”

He adds that he’s decided to not let the fear and hysteria set in and live as he knows best, all while being safe, cautious and fighting for his rights.

“I do feel that this age of Black people is way different than back in the day,” he says. “Because I know speaking for myself if I’m going to die I’m going down fighting.”