Michael Dunn, killer of Jordan Davis, was found guilty on 4 of the 5 charges. What he wasn't convicted of was murdering Jordan Davis. That charge was ruled a mistrial. This means that Dunn can be (and most likely will be) retried on the murder charge. He will be sentenced next month. I am happy that he was found guilty on the other four charges. I am, however, not satisfied. Jordan Davis should not be dead. Davis should be celebrating his 19th birthday tomorrow. The picture above is of Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin, embracing Lucia McBath, mother of Jordan Davis. This must end. It has to. It is like open season on young Black boys. My heart is still heavy for Davis' parents, Lucy and Ron. This is a series case of a miscarriage of justice. Being Black is not a reason to be dead, playing rap music loud isn't a reason either, and neither is wearing a hoodie and carrying tea and Skittles. I am so afraid for all the little brown boys and girls in my family and in the world. This is a horrible way to live. We need to feel and be free. We deserve and demand justice for Jordan and Trayvon and Johnathan and Renisha and every other unknown murdered Black person. Justice for Jordan!
Jordan Davis' killer is finally on trial. It started this past Thursday. This case happened on the heels of the Trayvon Martin murder. I've written about Davis' murder before here and here. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Being Black is not a reason to be shot and killed. I am just praying that the Davis' family gets the justice and peace that was not afforded to Sybrina and Tracy. We want justice for Jordan. Let's put cold blooded killers where they belong: behind bars. #JusticeForJordan
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.
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.
