My Promise

You may have noticed that my page was blacked out for the majority of March 8th with a promise to Rashawn Brazell. My promise is that I will not let him be forgotten. It's a promise that shouldn't have to be made. His name should be as widely printed as that of Jon Benet Ramsey. His face as familiar as Laci Peterson's. Humans, young and old, Black and white, gay and straight should loudly protest the brutal way in which he was snatched from this earth. However,

It is obvious that the mainstream media is sending us a message. A message that says our young Black lives don't mean a thing to them. Rashawn is hardly mentioned. They refer to him in ways PETA would deem inhumane for animals. They are trying to sweep him under the rug.

It's a message they've been sending us for decades.

They refuse to use their ink to report and respectfully commemorate our lives.

I won't let them. I've seen this too many times in my short life. I've watched as men who looked like my father, my uncle, my best friend and my boyfriends were dusted away. Blown into the wind with little more than a second thought. I won't let it happen this time. I've read, I'm stronger now, I'm wiser now. I realize that while it will take more than me, it has to start somewhere. I'm willing to plant the seed of memory in people's minds so that they know Rashawn Brazell was here.

Rashawn,

I won't let them forget you.

You're too much a part of me.

You remind me so much of my boy Rock. Young, full of promise, and gay. I told Rock about you the other day and I listened as his voice filled with outrage. I shake when I think that the name hidden deep beneath the tactless headlines could have easily been his.

If I allow them to forget you, I'm sending them a message that it is ok to forget me. To forget all young, promising Black youth after a few blurbs hidden behind the lastest news of war. I won't let it happen. I can't let it happen.

You're too much a part of me.





Check The Blog Movement for other bloggers who've agreed not to let Rashawn's name be forgotten.