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Students from Booker T. Washington in north Tulsa say Terence Crutcher death affects them all

Posted at 8:45 PM, Sep 23, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-24 00:12:50-04

TULSA -- Students at Booker T. Washington in north Tulsa saying the fatal shooting of Terence Crutcher has affected them all. 

Although the stands were full Friday night, some students say their minds weren't focused on the game. They say they were thinking of the Crutcher family who lost Terence a week ago Friday.

The game goes on, but the fans can't concentrate only on football.

"With being at the football game it makes you feel somewhat better, but it won't make you feel totally better," Sophomore Madison Monroe said.

As students sit in groups in the Booker T. Washington football stands, some say they're thinking of 40-year-old Terence Crutcher. Madison Monroe is a family friend of the Crutcher's. She says it's all anyone talks about at school.

"People don't know how to feel," she said. "I mean they know how to feel, but they don't want to go to anger they want to feel something different."

Elijah Rathod says not everyone understands the pain north Tulsans feel.

"People of different races don't understand they just think we're outraged and angry for no reason, but we actually have a reason to be angry," he said.

Rathod says he feels targeted as a young black male. He says the only place he feels safe is school.

"Outside of school, I'm always have a general caution and looking over my shoulder," Senior Elijah Rathod said. "You never know when it can be your last day."

As time goes on, students say they hope tensions between law enforcement and the community grow.

"Don't judge a book by its cover, get to know the characters in the book before you judge it," Monroe said.

The whistle will blow at the end of the game, but the battle for equality will continue. 

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