Open Season

Over the weekend a young black man was by the name of Mike Brown, was murdered by a white police officer in Ferguson, Missouri.  According to multiple sources, he was unarmed.  Another young brown male was with Mr. Brown and has stated to several news outlets that the police officer approached them in a disrespectful manner, cursed at them, and subsequently hit one of them with the door of his/her police cruiser.  He states that Mr. Brown was in a surrender pose when he was shot multiple times. 

This hurts my heart.  It seems to be open season on our young black men.  They are being killed with no regard and no consequence.  It seems as though the majority is out to finish what they stated decades ago, killing us off.  Mike Brown could have been my baby, my nephew.

The black community is PISSED, especially those in Ferguson and the surrounding areas.  They have taken to the streets in a series of silent/non-silent protest that have resulted in riots, looting, tear gas, rubber bullets, arrests and more.  

I'm not a fan of rioting/looting, however, I empathize with them.  My thought is they feel this is the only way their voices will be heard.  There is no coverage of the crime, racial profiling, harassment, poverty and the plagues the area.  Very little has been done to address the issues.

The media is putting a spin on this, as always, and depicting both the victim and the citizens of Ferguson in an unsavory light.  The outrage is NOT on the fact that a young, unarmed, black male lost his life; it is on the rioting and looting.  The powers that be seem to want to change the narrative and not look at the root cause. 

It's just sad.

I weep for young, black youth. 

I weep for all of those we have loss. 

I weep for society.  

Smiles and Tears

Life can be funny at times.....It's amazing how just one thought can turn your day around.

That happened to me.  A co-worker and I were eating lunch and I asked him if he wanted to see my "Nee".  My co-worker, being who he is, responded with something about sexual harassment and I explained to him AGAIN who my Nee was. 

As I typed in the web address for my slain God brother's memorial site, I felt a wave of grief wash over me. I only visit the site twice a year...on his bornday and on the day he was murdered. I like to leave a message in the guestbook because in my mind, he reads the entries. 

As I showed him the pictures and described how his life was ended WAY too soon at age 28, I felt Nee sitting with me.  He was smiling at all the memories held in those photos.

Then it happened....my smile was traded for tears. 

I went to leave my annual message in the guestbook, but the site hosting it has been shut down.  All of the messages his family/friends left are now gone...just like he is :-(

Since I can't leave a message on his site, I will leave one on mine.....

Happy Bornday Nee!!! You are getting so old!  I pray you are celebrating in heaven because I plan to celebrate your life here on earth. :-) This doesn't get easier with time, but I know you are in the best place ever.  I miss you so much!! Oh, remember the purple Rocawear shirt you gave me for Christmas?? Well I FINALLY have some J's to match it.  That will be my shirt/shoes this weekend when I step out the house.  Love you so much!!! 

- Ebbie

Unequal Death

*Sigh* I really hate to write about the same topic twice in one week, but I feel the need to address what's going on in Chicago from another perspective.

On Friday, 20 Jul 12, the unthinkable happened in a small Colorado town just miles from the tragic Columbine Massacre.  A 24 year old gunman opened fire in a PACKED movie theater as patrons watched the beginning of the newest Batman film.

When it was all said and done, 12 individuals died and over 70 others were injured.  The youngest victim was only 3 months old.  Three young men took bullets for their girlfriends.  Parents took bullets for their children.

Naturally, there was media EVERYWHERE!!  Celebrities tweeting their condolences.  NFL players calling and paying visits to the survivors.  The various law enforcement agencies working day and night to get into this man's apartment.

After my initial shock, my mind could not help but wonder where is that same level of urgency for the citizens of Chicago.  Where were the celebrity tweets? NFL player visits? Media attention?  Law enforcement working around the clock?

It hurts me to my heart that the senseless killings in Colorado seem to be more important than the same type of senseless killings in Chicago.  In both cases, innocent lives were loss.  In both cases, communities are devastated.  But both cases are not being treated fairly. *Sigh*

When will we as a society view senseless killings the same?  When will we unite as a country to protect the people that live in it.  When will we as a country cherish every life?  When will we all come together to stop the violence?

I Love You

A few days ago I experienced death first hand when I watched the mother of my best friend transcend to be with our heavenly father.  Sitting in her room, watching the machines document her heart rate, pump air into her lungs, and fill her veins with various medications in the hopes of saving her life was enlighting.  I actually understood what people mean when they say “tomorrow is not promised”.  Mrs. Ashton was her fun loving self just days ago.  She seemed to do whatever it was she wanted to and lived life to the fullest.  Fry chicken at 2am? Sure.  Spend time with her daughter shopping? Sure.  Asking Angel how I was doing? Sure.  Travel to Rock Hill to visit old friends and family? Sure.  She did everything she wanted to and it is my belief that she did it without regret.

I also witnessed true strength.  Angel was STRONG! If there is another word to better describe how she is handling this ordeal then use it.  She sat by her mother’s bed side everyday…talking to her…singing to her…and when she was deemed officialy dead, she painted her mom’s nails like she had done a week or so ago.  She answered every question the hosptial staff asked, made decisions about organ donations, when to take her mother off life support and comforted her family.  She kept flashing her bright smile amist all the sadness.  Hell, she even asked me if I was going to be ok and let me know WE will get through this.  She shed some tears, like any child would do, but she exhibited true strength.  I pray that I have half of her strength if I am ever faced with a similar situation.

Since Friday I have been wanting to find a way to tell my loved ones how much they mean to me.  Granted I could call and probally should, but right now I can’t bring myself to do it.  I’m on a journey to Ebonyville for a while…..a lot has gone on in the past week and I need a vacation.  I figured I will use this blog to express my feelings because these words will last longer than any phone call.

Mommy, Daddy #1,Daddy #2, Andre, Lamont, Rechard, Tuna, Fatman, Michelle, Tyler, Grandma Moore, Grand dad, Grandma Sandra, God Mommie, God Daddie, Bop-T, Whit Whit, Angelina, Aunts/Uncles (too many to list, lol), cousins (too many to name),  Angel, Nicole, Chrisna, Sarah, Ms. Marshall, PC, James, Brandy, Kendria, and my GLE sisters I want you all to know I love you guys very much.  We have been through a lot and you have each impacted my life.  Tomorrow is not promised, but I promise to love you all forever!