This letter was written in response to an article of a young mans death.

Who will speak for me?

On October 1st a story was written of Tootoo. I guess the title was selected to get the attention of their readers more than just providing news or for information purposes. The title for this murdered victim and I quote was “Manslaughter Conviction in Slaying Victim’s Past.” I don’t know about you but he was supposed to be the victim in this story. The Press gave no respect to the family on the lost of their son more than ten years ago. And as for Tootoo no respect to his parents, siblings, daughter’s and Tootoo the victim in this case. A man was brutally killed. But instead you heard more about what happen ten years ago than the fact that a man is now dead and no longer with us. He's a young Black man who has tried to turn his life around by working a 2nd shift factory job since serving time for involuntary manslaughter. At 20 a deal of 2 to 4 years sounds really good compare to 20 to life. Again this was another form of a Black man who was a victim of while living. I have found that no matter what we change or do well in life it always comes back to the BB thing “Being Black”. Everyone knows it and every Black has experienced it whether they will admit it or not. The driving while being black, walking while being Black, or just Living while being Black.

You’re probably wondering why I’m writing this letter about this victim, he was my nephew. He was a man that had a family that must live on after his death as would anyone. But to pick up a paper that spoke of my brother’s death infuriated me. I have only begun to move on over the passing of my brother and now to hear the Press speak of things which was not true . This really took me back to that tragic time and all the wrong things that were done during his death. We’ll never know what truly happen ten years ago. But, his name or death should have never been brought up into the death of Tootoo's.
Ten years ago I looked into the eyes of my mother and now ten years later I am looking into my sister's eyes. The pain that she is now barring I am barring it too.

Why, why is the life and death of our people not respected? We should be able to leave this world with some kind of grace and dignity no matter how our lives end. For it’s not the life of the one who’s life is ending that must endure the pain which the Press can inflict upon them but the life of the ones they leave behind who are at the mercy of what’s written, whether true or not about their love ones. Let those who have passed and move on into another life rest in peace.

Copyright(c)2005 BjC