As an Black male, everyday you risk your life, just to have a place in society, a place where you're constantly told that you're not good enough, not strong enough, and of course not smart enough. How horrific to think that in 2012, one still has to be selective about what neighborhoods you're allowed to walk and roam in, and even worse, you have to be conscious about the attire that you're wearing, as to NOT offend and be pigeonholed into a certain stereotype. The enemy is among us, and the wicked sometimes appear to be righteous. For every little black boy, who grew into a young man, then into adulthood, I salute you, because I too, share your same struggles. The sweet taste of victory, is to know and understand the game, that you were never invited to play, and that game is to be just as smart as them, just as good looking as them, to know how to govern yourself in any circle that you come in contact with. To know that God will never discriminate, to know that you matter and above all, to thy own self you must be true. In forgiveness, you learn to accept every one's shortcomings, as imperfection lives in all of us. RIP Trayvon, you didn't die in vain. #In Solidarity
I'm weeping and crying for all the places that my children are not allowed to roam freely in. God help us all.
ReplyDeleteRhonda
Society expects all black men to be in prison, confined and bound by the chains that bind.
ReplyDeletePity Pity Pity,
Al
This is so sad, but not surprising at all...It's crazy how everything we do as blacks from our way of dressing, hairstyles, basically everything is always under a microscope and ridiculed,, but when other races Copy us its a fad or style....It's not just black men tho black women are stereotyped and watched when we're in areas that Others(whites) don't think we should be in...I don't think racism will ever change....
ReplyDeleteMelissa, hey. You hit the nail on the head. Its so disappointing, especially when racisms and biggots are create in the home, constantly handing down the older generations opinion.
DeleteWe are living the card we are delt as proud africans of the americas. we strive and thrive and we are the most replicated and envied. These things i know...but i never knew until recently that black men had to camaflage their being from how they walk to keeping their hands in their pockets and to god knows what else. i guess that conversation black fathers or mothers have with thier son.
DeleteE
When it happens to a black person, yall want to stop the world. Honestly, if you don't know both sides of the story, you don't have a complete opinion.
ReplyDeleteIra
Wow~ When it happens to any young person no matter what the race may be it is a tragedy! It saddens me so much that some people can find any justification for a brutal murder. As a mother of a 22 year old Black son and 2 Black nephews that are targeted everyday. All I can do is pray and instill in them to always be on alert. No hoodie marches, no vigils, no amount of arguing or posting opinions will change anything. A young life was taken, by a coward. I pray for the parents. Zimmerman will reap what he has sown. "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord. Whether or not Zimmerman is ever arrested or convicted..his life is forever changed!
DeleteIra what do u think should happen. since u have an opinion about black people stoppin the world. what do u think they should do almighty whitey one.
DeleteLets help young black men. like all the other racial groups dont have it hard too. im so sick of America being called a place of equality when it so clearly isnt. if you arent white you can do almost anything and get all sorts of free perks. this nation was built on the sweat of white men and people mean to tell me that im somehow less? let me ask, if a black man shot a white kid would anyone care? WOULD ANY OF YOU CARE? no. you wouldnt. no one cared when 7 black guys nearly beat my uncle to death and raped his girlfriend. all he was doing was walking her home and they attacked. there was no news coverage or anything because he was white. if zimmerman was truly defending himself or his property i say more power to him. and if it was truly murder may he be prosecuted. i may seem like a ignorant racist fool to some of you but stuff doesnt strike me right about this.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, YOURE AN IDIOT!!
DeleteReally? You must be living in a different country, or for that matter a entirely different planet than the rest of us if this is your perception of reality.
This country was founded on the sweat of many different races and nationalities. We are a nation of immigrants. Some came on their own free will and some were not given the luxury of that choice.
H. Edwards
That is an unfortunate event in your life. May I ask, what happen to the individuals that committed the crime? Were they questioned and released? or Were they caught, detained, and put on trial? ... To be fair, how are you trying to compare your incident to this incident? Let's evaluate so we can see if your statement is justifiable!
DeleteI stopped reading after "built on the sweat of white men." I pray that you educate yourself and pick up a book. And, yes, you do come across as ignorant.
DeleteTo the person whose uncle was attacked by the black men...were those black men caught & held accountable? Or were they held to a different standard because they were black? I'm gonna step out on a limb and guess that they were brought to justice. That's all we're asking for in this case. That the man who killed another human being be held accountable. Period. As for your comment about this country was built on the sweat of white men....you should educate yourself. This country was taken by white men, & was built on the backs of countless black people! Until you have walked in a black man's shoes you will Never understand this daily struggles. You have a right to your opinion, but it would behoove you to learn more about your history.
DeleteDo u know how many of our sisters and aunts and mothers was raped? do u know how many brothers fathers and uncles were hung and druggeg and murdered. And how many people or friends of yours that have been shot in the back and unarmed? And we have not retaliated....fuck u ignorant person at the top.
Delete...and oh yeah to answer your question would we care if a white person was shot by a black person? if they thought like you i would not care...as a matter of fact ill chalk the points and throw in a bonus for that ass.
DeleteHey Kevin, this case really struck a cord with you, normally you wouldn't share so deeply your opionion on race relations. Generally you save your opinions for close friends. I applaud you today, youre showing balls. Just my opinion.
ReplyDeleteTrayvon's story is nothing new, this one just caught the attention of the media, give it a few weeks, everyone will get back to their lives, and more dumb shit will continue.
Stephen T.
I hope not but...it seems to be trending now.
DeleteE
Kevin I concur, having four black sons, I fear for their lives day. Hate crimes not matter the race is a travesty.
ReplyDeleteCharlotte
You hit the nail on the head Kevin. Trayvon is one of the many hatred cases that we have in America, unfortunately there's so many more cases the we never hear about. Children coming up missing is no real mystery, in this day and age Blacks are stil being killed because of th
ReplyDeleteNo justice, No peace. Kevin I share that same walk with you, and every day I fear for my life. Stan
ReplyDeleteYou painted a very unfortunate reality. Racism exists in 2012. Another promising black young man deprived of life.
ReplyDeleteTrayvon Martin may your soul rest in peaee young man. Kevin this was a good writing ouece,
ReplyDeleteSometimes situations happen to get the conversations started because we are often walking on eggshells as to not offend and be respectful. This incident only reveals that we still hide. We hide from each other, our neighbors, and even ourselves. How many strangers do you walk by saying hello with a smile and get that warm welcome in return? ... Racism and stereotypes exists among all races to be fair, but everyone is not playing on the same field. In the case of Trayvon, 1. Zimmerman was not a cop 2. it can never be self-defense when someone is being pursued and the pursuer has the upper hand due to weight, having a weapon, and skill the individual may have acquired over time 3. the evidence of the released 911 tapes are self explanatory. Anyone can see the authorities ignored evidence and the law to give a certain someone a pardon. This is where the racism comes in. You can shoot a "black" teen and call it self defense and walk away. Only in the South!
ReplyDelete'Only in the South' is right, well largely in the south, but cases like this happens everyday, just most do not receive this type of media attention.
DeleteStop beating this dead horse. Trayvon Martin was in the wrong place at the wrong time. His death was unjustified this is true. We must realize that his parents are in mourning for their child, and though they want justice, it's healing time. May his soul rest in peace.
ReplyDeleterene'
Trayvon was Not at the wrong place at the wrong time! He told the coward that his father lived there. He was going Home!
DeleteRacism will never end in this country.
ReplyDeleteTrue True True i was at the march today for Trayvon in Stanford, and though I believed in what I was standing for, the world doesn't really care, and we appeared just an angry race sprinkled in with a few white people who felt guilty.
ReplyDeleteKamaal
@ Kamaal its always good to stand up for what believe. Pity we don't have more like you.
ReplyDeletethe media paints negative stereotypes for blacks, we accept it by not standing up. So what if he had weed on him or smoked weed, or any of the madness they try to come up, Zimmerman had not right to kil that young man, nor to take it on himself to play the po po.
ReplyDeleteLaDonna