Aftermath of the Muder of Trayvon Martin Case: My 2 Cents

On July 13, 2013, the trial against George Zimmerman for the murder of Trayvon Martin, a young UNARMED teen gunned down by Zimmerman in the state of Florida, was concluded by the jury with a "Not Guilty" verdict.  This was a highly politicized and racially polarizing case.

in 2012, young Mr. Martin was walking home to his father's condo, wearing a hoodie and talking on his cellphone.  Zimmerman, a local Neighborhood Watch captain, spotted Trayvon, called 911, and reported a 'suspicious' individual in the vicinity.  AGAINST the instructions of the 911 operator, Zimmerman proceeded to exit his car, with gun in hand, and approached and confront Trayvon Martin.  A scuffle ensued, and Trayvon Martin was killed with two bullet wounds to his chest.  Initially, Zimmerman WASN'T charged with ANY crime, and was only charged AFTER political pressure was mounted by the local Black community (it also didn't help that it was an election year for the president, and didn't want to alienate his Black voter base).

The case went to trial. Political and legal pundits gave their opinions of the trail as it went along.  After closing arguments were made, the jury deliberated for about (I believe) two days before the "Not Guilty" verdict was handed down.  Many a Black and Brown person went haywire on social media digitally voicing their outrage at the verdict that was handed down.

My feelings on the case....?  WHAT did you EXPECT!?!?!?!?

We've seen it time and again, whether the cases have been high profile, or local.  A Black or Brown life is cut down, whether by cop or ordinary white citizen, and the murderer goes free by 'a jury of their peers', if not a grand jury.  Sean Bell...Amadou Diallo...Patrick Doresmond....Latasha Harlins...Abner Louima...Anthony Baez...the list is endless.  Even during the Civil rights and Black Power eras, you had our souljahrs and activists cut down, and no one held accountable for their deaths.  Law enforcement has been running even more rampant as of late, brutalizing our brothers and sisters in our communities; now this young man's life was cut down by a local nobody.

So...what's my solution for what we should do next...?

It's simple...I'll quote the great ancestor, our shining Black prince, El Hajj Malik El Shabazz....

"...When you tell your people to stop being violent towards my people, then I'll tell my people to put their guns down."

They brutalize our people because they know that they can get away with it without any repercussions, legal or otherwise.  We need to start protecting ourselves, and practicing community self-defense.  Whether it's the Deacons For Defense & Justice, Fruit of Islam, Universal African Legion, or any other fighting formation, we need to bring them back to let them know....this will NOT be tolerated ANY FURTHER!!!

Fuck the rallies and protests.  That shit is played out.  That was effective back in the 50s and 60s because it wasn't expected of us.  We were expected to be docile, and accept whatever treatment  they meted out for us.  Those tactics won't work nowadays; we need a new strategim.

Organize...strategize...MOBILIZE!!!!!

The Colors of Love: Indiegogo Fundraising Campaign

Representing for my sisters at the Black Latina Movement!!!!

"The Colors of Love"  was originally a stage play that the founder of BLM created back in 2008.  It has since been turned into a digital series.  Now the creative forces behind "The Colors of Love" are going to turn the digital series into a television series.  And they need YOUR help!!!  Check out their video from their Indiegogo campaign.


http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-colors-of-love-digital-media-series


Please help contribute to their campaign, and help them to turn the series into a television show!  The first season is already completed, and with any additional funds they receive, it will go got help them to fund SEASON TWO of the series.  Please help to support creative independent media.  It it time for us to tell OUR stories from OUR perspective.


SUPPORT THE BLACK LATINA MOVEMENT!!!!

Aftermath: 1st Annual Afro Latino Festival of New York

I have no words....

It was OFF...THE...CHAIN!!!!!!!!

June 29th, 2013 will go down as a day of infamy for me.  I was one of the original vendors to participate in New York's FIRST annual Afro Latino Festival.  It was especially fitting cause it was held in my hometown of BROOKLYN!!!!

I was a little worried because of the clouds that were forming early in the morning.  I was hoping that it wouldn't be a washout.  They had an alternative rain date lined up, but still.  If it would have rained, I don't know if I'd be able to return for the festival again.  Thankfully, it didn't pour down.  It was bright and sunny....and yes, HOT!  But we didn't let the heat stop us.

It was BEAUTIFUL!!!  It was perfectly located.  The festival was held directly outside of the Q Train stop on Parkside Avenue and Ocean Avenue; VERY strategically place.  We had the regular foot traffic, the traffic from the subway riders, AND the foot traffic coming from the bus stops of the B12, and B23. 

I had my table set up, but for me, it wasn't just about the sales.  I got to see some people that I haven't had the chance to really hang with in a long time.  I also was lucky enough to meet some people that I only knew from social media, and finally meet them in person.  I also got to network with other people that I had just met at the festival.  The energy was uplifting and positive.  The local residents seemed to love the festival, and the foot traffic was superb.  The music was FIYAH!!!  We had emcees Negros Americanos, co-found Mai-Elka Prado sang, we had Garifuna dancers perform, DJ Sabine spinning on the one-and-twos, and SO many others!

It was a great experience for me overall; even batter that it happened in Brooklyn.  It's the best homecoming that I've had so far.  Many people showed interest in my books, and took copies of the business card that I had printed up.  And yes, I have to mention...the women were FOINE!!!!!!!

I DEFINITELY cannot wait for the next one in 2014!!!!!

Shout out to founders/organizers Mai-Elka Prado and Tania Molina for putting together such a WONDERFUL event!!!  See you next year!!!!