Never Forget Them

 

 Trayvon Martin. Mike Brown. Oscar Grant. Jordan Davis. Eric Garner. John Crawford. Ezell Ford. Tamir Rice. Sean Bell. Amadou Diallo. Rekia Boyd. Miriam Carey. Alesia Thomas. Melissa Williams. Kendra James. Johnathan Ferrell. Patrick Dorismond. Orlando Barlow. Ousmane Zongo. Timothy Stansbury. Ronald Madison. James Brissette. Aaron Campbell. Steve Eugene Washington. Ramarley Graham. Manuel Loggins Jr. Akia Gurley. Aiyanna Jones. Pearlie Golden. Tarika Wilson. Shantel Davis. Tyisha Miller. Heather Parker. Delores Epps. Robin Taneisha Williams. Erica Collins.

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Don't forget their names. Don't forget their stories. Don't forget how the justice system failed them. They were brought into this world to be loved but unfortunately they all suffered the injustice of being killed at the hands of people who were supposed to be protecting them. There is a problem in our society. In 2014 we are still questioning whether or not the lives of Black people matter. This is still something that people think it up for debate. Why are young black boys being put on trail and blamed for their own murders? Where is the justice? When will it end? Every life matters. They were sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, etc. Their lives meant something to someone. THEIR LIVES MATTERED. BLACK LIVES MATTER. We deserve the justice that our country forces school aged children to recite about every morning. With liberty and justice for all? Who is included in the "all"? What does that justice look like for Mike Brown, Trayvon Martin or the other names on this list and the names that are missing? How long will we have to wait for an answer? Enough is enough. Don't ask people why they're angry. Get angry with them. The situation at hand is not okay and we should refuse to be silent about it. 

Your life matters. Each and every day, your life matters. You should not be afraid of the world around you. We will stand together and stay angry until change happens. 

Also, if you do have strong feelings about these recent events, know that your feelings are valid. Know that it's okay to feel the way you do. Whether you're sad, angry, upset, depressed, etc.--you're allowed to have those feelings and you're probably not the only one feeling the way you do. You're not alone in this and you are loved.