When I heard about Trayvon Martin and the circumstances of his death, I was shocked, saddened, angry, frustrated, hateful and generally ranty. I don't feel much better now, although the criminal injustice system may yet do its job.
I am so emotional because I have three nephews, all of whom are adults. I still think of them as children. They are and will be to their parents.
What happened to Trayvon Martin could happen to them. This was especially concerning last summer when my sister's sons came to us to work for the summer.
I especially think of my oldest nephew because his life circumstances are similar to Trayvon's.
My nephew was born in 1986. My sister was not married. We were very happy that our nephew came to us. I remember that he was born via forceps delivery by one of the few obstetricians experienced to do so. He has a small mark on his left temple from the forceps.
My sister had a good job but moved a lot. Luckily, part of nephew's early childhood were spent in Cleveland Ohio. He also spent one year of high school @ the same school as his mother and the rest of our generation did. Nephew got much of his man training from my father and my brothers. He spent his senior year of high school with his father. He went to college at a few places. He got an Associates Degree from a music school in Los Angeles. He likes music and plays in two bands. He also works for our small family owned and operated paint contracting company.
My nephew has had some trouble with the law. He is not responsible and is a space cadet. He has gotten better. I think of him in relation to Trayvon Martin and am very glad that he made it to adulthood. I am glad that his younger cousins made it to adulthood.
I love my nephew like a son.
Here are the other two with their parents and younger sister:
Trayvon Martin will not graduate from high school.
Trayvon Martin will not go to college.
Trayvon Martin will not have that "first job".
Trayvon Martin will not get married.
Trayvon Martin will not have children.
Trayvon Martin will not..............
As my mother would say, TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE.