Monday, July 15, 2013

What are we teaching the next generation-Trayvon's story

I love when I get a chance to show readers there's more to me than just talking about fun television shows, movies, relationships, or whatever else is going on inside "Honey Brown Sugar's world" I love when I get a chance to showcase what I am really about and what means the most to me is when a story like this falls into my lap and I get to share my opinions about the case. I am talking about the Trayvon Benjamin Martin story (1995-2012). He was killed after being shot through the chest on a rainy night on February 26, 2012 in Sanford, Florida. 


 

Trayvon’s Story
I have not had a chance to write about his case. It definitely touched my heart especially on a personal level. I have not expressed how I have been making sure I stayed tuned in to this case there’s something about a trial for some reason that always makes me eager to learn more especially in a case of this nature. You have an innocent 17-year-old out on a dark night. Then you have a neighborhood watcher who could have picked a better story than this then the almighty above right. It makes perfect sense. Now none of us were all there unless if you were right in that neighborhood to witness the tragedy that would lead to this case. It raises a lot of questions though is the court of Sanford, Florida taking everything seriously. I keep wondering because when you look and see the playback from all of the videos from the court, all of the testimonies, especially the one with Trayvon’s friend testifying on his behalf because she was one of the last people who heard his voice. It makes you see some of the stereotypes that people still put against each other. When will people ever look at a case and focus on the people. Obviously racism is somewhat still alive. This will always continue but it is up to the court to focus not on the race but one justice, focusing on the life that was taken, because look at bottom line. He was shot and killed, even if he put his hands on George Zimmerman he never took his life, if he pushed him down and scraped the back of his head, then that is fair, his wounds have healed, but now the focus of this case should be focused on the law, Florida’s law, and also just basic common sense. The man took someone’s life let’s forget about him being an African American teen. Lets focus on he killed someone and justice needs to prevail. If he was out on a late night mind you, remember one thing, he had no weapons on him, he had a packet of candy on him, which is harmless enough. I don’t think his intentions were to harm another person. I believe he wanted to defend himself but I don’t believe he wanted to do something that drastic. Again remember this was one kid out by himself, in the dark, minding his own business, his plan wasn’t to go on the attack. It would be a blessing if there was actual real footage of the event taking place that night.  Its kind of crazy that you have to go by memory of that night, when one person is unable to defend their case and story. You have to go by the defendant only who is being accused and charged, God I hope justice will be served for his family, and people will be wise, smart, and really make the best decision possible. This is one of those cases that will never go away it’s going to be part of history I believe for a long time.
One thing I will say he sparked, changed, and made a fashion statement become one of the most politically charged topics, his hoodie, often being mistaken for a thug or some common hoodlum. He actually was just wearing a piece of clothing to protect himself. I don’t believe this kid was a thug not because he just happens to be black but the signs all point to him being someone who knew what he was doing, was trying to achieve more for himself. He came from a two-parent home, grew up with both parents who obviously provided for him, and most of all loved him with their whole hearts. Something about the whole case does not feel right. I believe there’s more there’s a reason Zimmerman does not want to testify. If he did he would blow his cover I believe. Maybe he doesn’t want to go up and be put in the spotlight. Maybe he’s scared but what it comes down to he doesn’t want to blow up his spot though.
I wrote the first part one day before they announced the verdict live around the world on television major networks. Now I can really express and say how I feel I along with the rest of the world found out about his story on the news and from a relative who lives in the “Stand Your Ground” state. I heard the story and immediately thought to myself I am going to invest into it. I wore my hoodie proudly a pink hoodie days afterward, I signed the petition posted on change.org, and now I am ready to tell you that believe me this kid did not deserve to be shot at all. I see his image, he could have been my little brother, he could be my cousin, my next door neighbor, my co-worker’s son, my boyfriend,  or even my son. I see his face I see my father, my brother, my cousin, my uncles, all of the men who are or were apart of my life and it hits you.
 I look and see a future now where young men have to still live in a world where they are not valued, appreciated, or even respected for being successful, for just being a typical teenager. I see him and think about his parents, his family, the lives he touched, the potential he had and where he would have gone, and I feel for their family. Now how do we change our system to see black and brown men and women as people. We need to remind them over and over again we are valuable in this country, we work just as hard to be successful, and to have lives that are lived to pursue and to be happy. How can you live in a world who still does not honor the value of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We still don’t value the constitution, the bill of rights, everything goes out of the window when it comes to a story like this. We need a judicial system who believes in valuing a human life. He walked, spoke, ate, he saw,  he listened, he felt, and he was a human being. He was intelligent probably on his way to a bright future going to college possibly breaking more barriers for an African American young man. Now how do we get you to see he didn’t deserve to be shot in the heart period point blank. 

It doesn’t matter if Zimmerman was a neighborhood watcher, he obviously was looking out for himself by having a weapon, and he didn’t consider the nature of what he was doing, and he didn’t consider the life he destroyed as well.  
Now let's go back to basic grammar school and high school remember this?...Reconsider everything put everything into perspective now. Now if you read the definitions below and just remind yourself of what they all mean, now think about Trayvon's case, and keep an open mind to everything, and remember he was a human being, on planet Earth, living in America, where he was supposed to be free to live, breathe, and walk down the street.  
From the U.S. Constitution (The first portion of the Preamble)
We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

(From the Second Amendment "The Right to Bare Arms"
Pointing out that interest in the “character of the Second Amendment right has recently burgeoned,” Justice Thomas, concurring in the Court’s invalidation (on other grounds) of the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, questioned whether the Second Amendment bars federal regulation of gun sales, and suggested that the Court might determine “at some future date . . . whether Justice Story was correct . . . that the right to bear arms ‘has justly been considered, as the palladium of the liberties of a republic.’ ” 1
Remember this....=)





Remember this keep this all in mind because at the end of the day this is what it really should matter in the end. 

Noun
      Freedom-The power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.
      Absence of subjection to foreign domination or despotic government.



I am just saying re-read it and remember every young man needs to be judged by his actions not based on how he dresses, he never committed a crime, or an act. He minded his own business. Remember that. 







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