In the wee hours of the night I passed by Larry’s blog, Destiny’s Bastard and read, for the first time, about the brutal murder of 19 year old Rashawn Brazell. Today I visited his blog again and contained in this beautifully written entry was a call to action:
If you realize that visibility and audibility are key, and that blogs have the ability to serve as a key weapon in the fight against marginalization and injustice, well… write on.
So here I am….writing on.
Somewhere, somehow, someone has decided that some lives are worth more than others.
Somewhere, somehow, someone has decided that this hierarchy that exists in the realm of the living also applies to those who have passed on.
Somewhere, somehow, someone decided to take away the life of a 19 year old African American gay man.
Somewhere, somehow, someone decided that this was not a news worthy story.
Somewhere somehow someone decided speak only of body parts CHOP-UP and scattered.
Right here right now I have decided to join the many bloggers who are speaking out.
Speaking out in sadness over the loss of a life.
Speaking out in anger over the callous and insensitive (in)actions of those in the media.
Speaking out in hope that somewhere, somehow, someday we shall all learn to value the lives of those that so many refer to as ‘other’.
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Mshairi says
I wrote a poem and lit a candle in memory of Rashawn
Thank you very much Mshairi.
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Wambui says
Don’t know how to think. Just read everything – blogs and media. Don’t know how/what to think.
MJ Says:Girl, that was my first reaction when I read the story at Larry’s blog. I was speechless. Feel free to mention it on your blog….the more people talking about it the better.
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shalena says
I am so happy you have decided to talk about this horrible crime. I have just learned about this 2 min ago and am sickend by the way the media covered it. The fact that a human being was butchered was talked about like a “interesting” fact and the fact that he was gay and black seemed to be shown as a reason this happened. I am going to right in my live journal and tell others.
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desirebrazell says
Thank you for your support and please if you can join us at city hall I’m not sure of the but please if you can join us but from me and rashawn family thank you.
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shamia says
i knew shawn since he was 15 years old my best friend was his girlfriend of 5 years..i new in my hearts of heart he was gay..he even took me around to meet a gay friend of his one night…but that never made me look at him different all i know was that when me and him and my best friend hung out…i never laughed so hard …been so happy…it was a pleasure know him…i wish we didnt lost touch…so i could tell him…what an gem he was
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Desire Brazell says
I just discover your web site pertaining to my son I never knew this was here but I thank you for your words and that the fact that this story keeps spreading on and on 2/17 there was a candle light vigil for him and I want to thank everyone that made it and for those that didn’t I know they was there in spirit I want peolpe to realize that this person is still amongs us and that is just wrong and dangerous for our community and anyone that might come in contact with this person that’s why evey time I discover another site where this story is going I rejoice because I know the word is out and this person will not get away with this and if there is anyone out there they might know something reach out to me @ desirebrazell@yahoo.com or at the Anti Viloent Program number 1212 714-1141 they will take any information given.
Keep the story going thank you.
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desire brazell says
I just wanted to let everyone know there will be a march in honor of shawn on 8/30/08 @ 12:00pm. This is to keep the story out there to let the public know the case is still open and other cases as well. We will start from Gates avenue and Broadway and end at Nostrand Avenue and Fulton in Brooklyn.
All is welcome and if you lost a love one and you would like to share that by all means do so.
Desire brazell, Rashawn Brazell Mom.
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desire brazell says
I just wanted to let everyone know there will be a march in honor of shawn on 8/30/08 @ 12:00pm. This is to keep the story out there to let the public know the case is still open and other cases as well. We will start from Gates avenue and Broadway and end at Nostrand Avenue and Fulton in Brooklyn.
All is welcome and if you lost a love one and you would like to share that by all means do so.
Desire brazell, Rashawn Brazell Mom.