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?

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.