Since the verdict in the George Zimmerman case, I have
been still. I've listened very carefully to the prosecution and the
defense teams after the verdict was read. I listened to the attorneys for
the Martin family. I listened to every news channel and commentary that broadcast that night. I silently read all of the post on Face Book and
a few on Twitter. The song lyrics by Marvin Gaye continue to ring in my
ears – “Mother, Mother…there’s far too many of you crying. Brother. Brother. Brother… there’s far too
many of you dying”. I listened to and read the President’s message
to the country:
"I now ask every American to respect the call for
calm reflection from two parents who lost their young son," the president
said, calling Martin's death "a tragedy."
"We should ask ourselves if we’re
doing all we can to widen the circle of compassion and understanding in our own
communities. We should ask ourselves if we’re doing all we can to stem the tide
of gun violence that claims too many lives across this country on a daily
basis," Obama said. "We should ask ourselves, as individuals and as a
society, how we can prevent future tragedies like this. As citizens,
that’s a job for all of us. That’s the way to honor Trayvon Martin."
Here
is what I have to say:
We live in a country that will always be divided by something – race, color,
age, sex, sexual orientation, religion, political affiliation, physical or
mental disability, neighborhoods, money or class. We live in a country
where laws that are passed to protect us have so many loop holes and
interpretations that they hurt us. We live in a country where the elected
officials we choose fail to do their jobs.
We live in a country where people continue to criticize and disrespect the
President. We live in a country where
police officers seek their own justice. We
live in a country of fatherless children and overcrowded prisons. We live in a country where local and national
news is filled with opinions and little facts.
We live in a country where a young man, on February 26, 2012, was
profiled and killed by a man on neighborhood watch.
My heart cries for Mrs.
Fulton and the Martin Family.
Nevertheless, no matter what
the situation or circumstance, I STAND on FAITH and the words of Our
CREATOR. Though I am scared, weary and at
times I feel helpless, I wrap my arms TIGHTLY around my only child, MY SON, and
I PRAY. I PRAY. I PRAY. I PRAY. I Pray for my son, your son, your children and the Martin Family.
I TRUST that as He said “Vengeance
is Mine” and He will seek justice.
