MURDERED TEENAGER: Trayvon Martin’s Mum Pens Heartbreaking Letter to Michael Brown’s Family
In 2012, a 17-year-old African-American boy Trayvon Martin was fatally shot by a Sanford, Florida volunteer neighbourhood watcher George Zimmerman.
On the evening of February 26th, Trayvon
went to a convenience store and purchased candy and juice, as he
returned, Zimmerman called the police and told them that Trayvon looked
suspicious.
There was an altercation moments later and Zimmerman shot the unarmed teen in the chest. He died.
Trayon Martin’s mother Sybrina Fulton wrote a heartbreaking letter to the family of Michael Brown, an unarmed 18-year-old, who was shot at least six times by a police officer.
She begins with, “I wish I had a word of
automatic comfort but I don’t. I wish I could say that it will be
alright on a certain or specific day but I can’t. I wish that all of the
pain that I have endured could possibly ease some of yours but it
won’t. What I can do for you is what has been done for me: pray for you
then share my continuing journey as you begin yours.”
Sybrina who also experienced a devastating time after her son’s death continues, saying:
“I hate that you and your family must join this exclusive yet growing group of parents and relatives who have lost loved ones to senseless gun violence. Of particular concern is that so many of these gun violence cases involve children far too young. But Michael is much more than a police/gun violence case; Michael is your son. A son that barely had a chance to live. Our children are our future so whenever any of our children – black, white, brown, yellow, or red – are taken from us unnecessarily, it causes a never-ending pain that is unlike anything I could have imagined experiencing.
“I hate that you and your family must join this exclusive yet growing group of parents and relatives who have lost loved ones to senseless gun violence. Of particular concern is that so many of these gun violence cases involve children far too young. But Michael is much more than a police/gun violence case; Michael is your son. A son that barely had a chance to live. Our children are our future so whenever any of our children – black, white, brown, yellow, or red – are taken from us unnecessarily, it causes a never-ending pain that is unlike anything I could have imagined experiencing.
Further complicating the pain and loss
in this tragedy is the fact that the killer of your son is alive, known,
and currently free. In fact, he is on paid administrative leave. Your
own feelings will bounce between sorrow and anger. Even when you don’t
want to think about it because it is so much to bear, you will be forced
to by merely turning on your television or answering your cell phone.
You may find yourselves pulled in many different directions by strangers
who may be well-wishers or detractors. Your circle will necessarily
close tighter because the trust you once, if ever, you had in “the
system” and their agents are forever changed. Your lives are forever
changed.
However with those changes come new
challenges and opportunities. You will experience a swell of support
from all corners of the world. Many will express their sympathies and
encourage you to keep fighting for Michael. You will also,
unfortunately, hear character assassinations about Michael which I am
certain you already have. This will incense and insult you. All of this
will happen before and continue long after you have had the chance to
lay your son to rest.
I know this because I lived and continue
to live this. I have devoted my life to the comprehensive missions of
The Trayvon Martin Foundation – including providing support to families
that have lost a young child to senseless gun violence regardless of
race, ethnicity or gender. I will support you and your efforts to seek
justice for your Michael and the countless other Michaels & Trayvons
of our country. The 20 Sandy Hook children. Jordan Davis. Oscar Grant.
Kendrick Johnson. Sean Bell. Hadya Pendleton. The Aurora shooting
victims. The list is too numerous to adequately mention them all.
According to The Children’s Defense Fund, gun violence is the second
leading cause of death for children ages 1-19. That is a horrible fact.”
