Some call you the Emmitt Till of our generation. Some even call you a martyr. Some even believe that your death was justified. To me and many others of our community you were just one of us. Marking almost seven years since you've been gone is not just a tragedy, but a turning point for people of African descent living in this country.
Don't you worry or feel ashamed, the same way members of our community have perished by the authority before you so did it occur after you.
Yeah Tray due to your unjust departure a prominent movement was formed. This movement has helped define a new generation of up and coming activists and journalist's. Whilst comes resistance comes causalities. The bigger BlackLivesMatter became the heavier it's belt buckle would get. Names such as Jordan Davis, Tamir Rice, Sandra Bland, Eric Garner, Alton Sterling, and Philando Castile were the later to be added to the list of the fallen in the hands of the authority.
Being an eighteen year old and freshly out of High School I myself caught a glimpse of the tactics of this brutal authority.
The date was 7/4/2013 when I was first confronted by this authority. On this holiday of barbecues and fireworks I felt a sudden need for excitement. Feeding this excitement I decide to see fireworks from a higher view. As I would open the door to the roof of an fourteen story apartment building (where I used to live in) two members of the authority met me right in motion. I didn't get shot at or ruffled up, just a little tough talk turned into questions as to where did I belong. The only ironic thing about this whole episode was that the two member of the authority were of color (one being African-American and the other being Hispanic). Once receiving my court slip my mother greeted me with a huge that felt like a welcome mat to a new reality.
Currently writing to you I'm a grown man of twenty-four years of age. Incarceration or a identification number has never been apart of my existence. Although no degree is in my possession I have thirty-nine credits in the Communication Studies major next to my name (now let that sink in). During my time off (which is almost all of the time) I write essays and short stories about the current atmosphere that we are living in and how to cope with it. Turning this into a job will take a lifetime (if you ask me).
Trayvon Benjamin Martin I hope that the Most High God has granted you everlasting paradise. Also I would like to envision you at peace with a new family. A family with members that were also put to ruin by the authority. Writing this letter I talk for myself and nobody else. Any dreams of being something in adulthood was cut way too short, but you are a shinning star in the heavens that will be seen for generations to come. Rest well sir, your death will never be in vain.
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