When Will It Be Enough?

It has taken me almost a full week to get my thoughts together on the verdict of Jordan Davis killer's trial. To put it mildly, I am thoroughly pissed. How in the world could a jury convict him of ALMOST killing three Black boys and not convict him of ACTUALLY killing Davis?!? How is that even possible? If he is guilty of attempted murder of the three then he has to be guilty of killing the child he actually did. There is no other way around it. I am glad that he will spend the rest of his life in jail because that's where a murderer belongs. I am also glad that he will be retired for Davis' murder in May. Davis' parents, Lucia McBath and Ron Davis, deserve justice for their murder son. Being Black, listening to "loud" rap nor wearing a hoodie are not just causes for anyone to be shot and killed. 

I am sick of Black parents losing their kids because some grown man decided he was threatened. Beyond over seeing mothers like Lucy and Sybrina on national tv crying over their boys and fathers like Tracy and Ron heartbroken over the men their sons will never become. I am tired of grown men killing kids then claiming to be the victim. Because clearly the victim is the person at the end of the barrel who lost their lives, see Trayvon and Jordan. This is an epidemic perpetuated by the ridiculous "Stand Your Ground" Law. It doesn't take a lawyer or a judge to see that the law is seriously flawed. There is something sincerely wrong when the deaths of young Black men at the hands of older, bigger white men is accepted and excused. When will it be enough? How many tears must we cry? Something needs to change. I am happy that Davis' killer is going to jail, would be happier if Martin's killer was there as well. We need a change. We need a resolution. I will never forget their names or their stories. We cannot let their deaths be in vain. 

Renisha McBride was just looking for help after a car accident. Trayvon Martin was just trying to get back home to watch the end of the All Star Game. Jordan Davis was just listening to music outside of a gas station. Johnathan Ferrell was just thankful for surviving a car accident. Oscar Grant was just going home after celebrating New Year's Eve with his friends. Aiyanna Stanley-Jones was just sleeping on the sofa. Amadou Diallo was just reaching for his wallet. Sean Bell was just on his way home to get ready for his wedding. Enough is enough. I am sick of watching the news and seeing people that look like me, my family, and my friends dead. It breaks my heart. I cannot stand it. Something has to change. Someone has to do something. When will it be enough, America?

Newsflash: Black Skin Isn't A Crime

Renisha McBride. 

Jonathan Ferrell. 
Jordan Davis.
Trayvon Martin.

I am tired. Tired of waking up to news of another unarmed Black teen being shot and killed by a white person. Tired of the killers claiming the "Stand Your Ground" defense. Ti-red. Is is open season on Black people? Does my brown skin automatically make me a suuspect and a criminal? And, if so, there is something inherently wrong with you and your racist way of thinking. This is not ok. Killing people is not ok. Murderers like George Zimmerman, Michael David Dunn, Randall Kerrick, and Theodore Paul Wafer should do the time for their crimes. No one should be able to legally kill unarmed Black people and not go to jail. How is this ok with anyone? 

Trayvon was just walking home from the store with a tea and some Skittles. He never made it there. His race made him a suspect in the eyes of his killer. Jordan Davis was just sitting in a car listening to music in the parking lot of a gas station. He was minding his own business. He never made it home because his killer decided to take his life. Jonathan Ferrell survived a horrific car crash only to die at the hands of a white cop who considered him a suspect. REnisha McBride had a car accident, a dead cell phone and was just trying to get home. Another child who did not make it home because her killer decided she shouldn't. None of this is just or moral or legal or right. Why does my skin offend white people so damn much? Does my Blackness really scare them that much? Is there an automatic target placed on our backs? None of them were doing anything wrong or illegal or criminal and they are still dead. There should be nationally outrage about this.

This is how I truly know that the U.S. is not a post-racial country. Also, that term is stupid. Even with a Black President and a Black First Family living in the White House, we are not past race related issues int his country. I've seen and experienced more issues of racism since President Obama began his historic run in 2007. Race will always be in issue in the country which was built on the genocide of one race (Native Americans) and the enslavement of another (African Americans). No, I do not want apologies for slavery or genocide. I want acknowledgement of the messed up history of this country. I want racist to realize that none of us have a choice on our skin tones. The melanin in my skin isn't meant to offend you neither is my pride in it. I am fearful for my 4 brown nephews and 5 brown nieces that this is the world they are growing up in. I am pissed that this is the world we live in. And, more than anything, I am tired, weary and sick of this. It's 2013 and change is needed more than ever. We need a resolution but even more, I think we need a revolution. And, yes, it needs to be televised, tweeted, tumbled and blogged about. 

I'm Back!!!

Guess who's back?? It's me :-) In the words of Varnell Hill, "DID YOU MISS ME??" I've missed you guys. I've missed this space. I would just chcek my blog all the time. I didn't think I would miss it so much. It is a prt of me. This break was truly needed. I could not be more prouder of the work I've done here. 

I've missed blogging. I needed the time off in September. But, I am ready to get right back into it. I won't promise to post everyday but a few times a week will definetly happen. My mind is very clear about some things, not so much about others. But, I am ready to get back to work. So, hope you guys will be back to read my words  soon. 

Also, it's October and it is Breast Cancer Awareness month. It is a cause that has always been dear to me. My family has been affected by it. So, I always like to bring awareness to the cause. I will wear pink unitl there is a cure. Donate to a BCA fund, participate in a BCA walk, just do something. We need a cure. 

On a much sadder note, there has been another case of being murdered for simply being Black. Jonathan Ferrell was a former FAMU football player. He was in a horrific car accident that he survived. He knocked on doors to get help. One woman thought he was trying to break into her house so she called the cops. The cop who showed up fired 12 shots at Ferrell. Ten of those shots hit Ferrell. Jonathan Ferrell died on September 16th at the age of 24. Why? Why is this young man dead? No one can explain it to me. No one can make me believe that the cop was anything other than overzealous, trigger happy and a racist. He saw a Black man and unloaded his clip. Jonathan Ferrell deserves justice. What he deserves even more is to have the cops protect and serve everyone and not just white people and he deserves to still be alive. God help us all. 

Rant: George Zimmerman, Get Your Mom

It is my opinion that Geogre Zimmerman is a MURDERER. He is NOT the victim. He does not need to be saved. He does need to pay for what he did. I have been writing about the murder of Trayvon Martin for over a year now. This story has pissed me off from the beginning. Because Martin clearly was killed because he was a young Black male wearing a hoodie. That scares me because I have 2 brothers, 4 nephews that I love dearly. I know and love too many Black men to be quiet about this. Not only is George Zimmerman a racist murderer, he is also a liar which led to his bail being revoked last summer.  His family has been popping up in the news as well lately. Last month, his brother Robert posted some ridiculous tweets on Twitter. I'm sorry but when your brother kills an unarmed teenager, your opinion on the matter is null and void. I understand standing behind family. But, wrong is wrong and murder will always be murder. I cannot believe these people. 

And, now comes his mom with her two cents. And, let me tell you that's all her words are worth. His Mom, Gladys, has penned this letter on the "anniversary" of the day he was arrested. It's been over a year since Zimmerman killed Martin. I had to comment on this idiotic letter. I posted "Mrs. Zimmerman, your son is a MURDERER! IT is not a travesty that he was arrested and awaiting trial, it is justice. You do the crime, you do the time. While you are lamenting the incarceration of your son, Ms. Fulton is still grieving for hers. I realize now that this whole family is delusional. I cannot wait until 6/10 for this trial to start. I hope and pray that your son gets exactly what he deserves, which in my eye is life in jail. An eye for an eye." I've kept myself updated on this impending trial because I want to see justice served. This entire family are beyond words. I am done. Bring on the trial and justice for Trayvon! 

Trayvon Martin, A Year After His Murder

There is a name I'm sure none of us will ever forget. That name is Trayvon Martin. It's been a year since he was murdered in cold blood by George Zimmerman. A year since Sybrina Fulton & Tracy Martin lost their barely 17 year old son. A year since Jahvaris Fulton lost his brother. Trayvon missed his 18th birthday, his high school graduation, Thanksgiving and Christmas. And for what? There is no reason that he isn't here. Other than the fact a trigger happy, racist, wannabe cop decided that his life wasn't worth anything. There have been marches for justice and photos of people in hoodies to show support. I have been keeping up with this story because I'm concerned.

I'm still pissed about the way this case was fumbled in the beginning. Zimmerman was a free man for far too long. The "Stand Your Ground" trial is set for April. If the SYG law is upheld, Zimmerman will walk away. The trial for second degree murder is set for June. This murder matters to me for so many reasons. I lost my Father, my favorite Uncle and cousin Larry to gun violence. It took years to get justice for 2 of the 3 of them. My Father's murderer is still free.



Death is hard to handle. Murder is a whole other monster. Murder snatches life away. Usually for no reason and with no warning. Murder fractures families. Unsolved murders leave a pain behind that nothing can console. I know because I've lived it. The Fulton's and the Martin's are living through it. One year later, we still remember Trayvon. I'm still praying for justice. We'll never forget him.

Here We Go Again: Abuse of "Stand Your Ground" Law

This scenario is becoming too familiar. White man. Black teen. One dead. And it happened in Florida again. Here are the basics: a 45 year old White man shot into a car of 3 Black teens 9 times. Essentially killing a 17 year old Black child. The murderer then got into a car, drove back to his hotel and went on about his life. After finally being arrested, his lawyer is claiming that the man is not guilty and is claiming self defense. SELF-DEFENSE?!?! Really?!?! How? Only in Florida. Oh and of course now they are using the stupid "Stand Your Ground" law. This article gives all the information. Please read it. This happened on Black Friday, November 23, 2012.

I am disgusted and outraged. Is it open season on young Black men? This situation reeks of white privilege. For those of you who do not know, white privilege refers to "advantages that white people enjoy in many societies. It sometimes connotes unspoken advantages, which white people may not realize they have." Michael David Dunn (the murderer) pulls up next to a car playing loud music at a convenience store. He decides it is his place to tell them to turn their music down. Words are exchanged between him and the people in the car. It ends, with this coward of a man pulling out his gun and shooting into a car of teens, killing 17 year old Jordan Russell Davis. He showed no remorse by fleeing the scene and leaving the county. He did not care that he took a life that night. He did not care about this kids family. He slept like a baby after taking a life. He did not turn himself in. If not for people on the scene getting his license plate number, he would be a fugitive. Davis' Dad has said that Dunn is a

"coward for shooting at unarmed teens. You know they are 17; you can see it in their faces. Black Friday now has a different meaning for me because it will really be a Black Friday massacre for me."

I love the law. I believe in justice. Dunn should be given life in prison. He took a life. Just like Zimmerman should be in jail for all of his natural life. I do not give a damn about what they will lose. You take a life, you should have to give yours as well. The only time I feel differently is when it is in self defense. Dunn, like Zimmerman, both caused these situations by butting their nose in places where they did not belong. They weren't officers of the law. They were just citizens who felt that they are above the law. They are not. They need to pay dearly for their crimes. Also, the families of Trayvon Martin and Jordan Davis should file civil suits against Zimmerman and Dunn as well as suits against the counties in Florida as well. Justice needs to be served. These two lives were not lost in vain. Also, ?I found it eerily ironic that the picture used for the story of Davis is of him in a hoodie. I have 2 brothers, 4 nephews, a Godson and a host of cousins that I fear for. This is not the world I want for them. Something has to be done. For more info, please read this.

"Come Shoot Me Clothes" Really?

Geraldo Rivera stated yesterday that "His hoodie killed Trayvon Martin as surely as George Zimmerman." As well as "Its not blaming the victim Its common sense-look like a gangsta &some armed schmuck will take you at your word."

A hoodie killed Trayvon? Is that right? Blaming the victims clothing is just about the most ignorant thing I've heard about this case. So Trayvon's clothing and not the overzealous idiot with a gun killed him? I cannot wrap my mind around people who fail to see reality for what it is. There is no grey area in this case. It is cut and dry, black and white. I'm sure that Trayvon could've been wearing any article of clothing and his killer Zimmerman would have found issue with it.

We are talking about a man who repeatedly called 911 to report any and every young Black man as suspicious. He even called the police on a 7 year old Black kid. The man had an issue with young Black men. That makes him a racist. Killing an unarmed Trayvon makes him a murderer. I don't know anyone who doesn't wear hoodies. They are warm and practical. Who doesn't own one or four? In the words of journalist Charles M. Blow, "there are no come shoot me clothes."

Furthermore, Black people have feared white people in hoods for decades. That doesn't give us the right to kill them. A hoodie did not nor could not kill Trayvon Martin. There is only one person responsible for that: George Zimmerman. Just as an Arizona tea and a bag of Skittles aren't a weapon or cause for suspicion. Murderers belong in jail. You can't arrest a hoodie. That is the reality. Trayvon was suspicious for one reason only: he was Black in a community that wasn't. That was his only crime, which isn't even one. I'm still upset about this. Excuse me while I pull my hoodie on.