The Triumph of Trayvon Martin

The Triumph of Trayvon Martin

By Patricia Britt

The weekend verdict was expected by some, and surprised others. Most people would like life to be about fairness, hence daily joy for all, but life is a game. Sometimes it’s fun, and everything seems on your side. Sometimes you lose due to cheating, the cards you’re dealt, or it’s just not your cosmic time to win. The purpose of all games is to play to win, as many times as you can, even if you lose some times, due to circumstances beyond your control. In this world where you don’t hear the Isley’s ½ century of music on Midwest radio to sooth sorrow filled souls; where poor people nationwide buy $50.00 - $100 music systems that don’t function properly for more than a month, or breaks downs shortly after, and the same gadget has to be replaced over, and over again when one needs the money to buy a shirt, and tie for a job interview. What do you do, replace your serenity, or take a chance on a better life, if you’re hired by one of a series of potential employers you’ve made an effort to impress to change your life for the better?

In the black community there is a saying that goes, “in it but not of it.” Which means even though you might encounter disrespect at any time, in any form, you don’t take part in it, or become consumed by unnecessary crap, that doesn’t contribute to elevating anyone’s soul, while you continue to try to be better at every opportunity. Mary J. Blige has a song called “I Try” with Talib Qweli, Jill Scott has a song called “Golden,” Janet Jackson has songs called, “Anytime, Anyplace,” “The Pleasure Principle,” that can only lift any reasonable spirit,” Des’ree has a song called, “You Gotta Be Stronger,” Beyonce' has a song called, "Halo," Basia has a song called, “New Day,” and the list of songs with a soulful impact, that have the power to make people walk on sunshine in the rain is long, yet it’s a crying shame that you don’t hear these songs every day. Instead you hear Queen, or Little Wayne blaring from the radio from small cities to large, accompanied by hyper cartoons with no message, and reality shows that display arguments all day long, when what the world needs now is love sweet love. Hatred is a toxic soup that has engulfed the world due to envy of positive spirits. Diversity of spirit is the measurement of infinite love.

Men have always been taught not to cry, to be tough if you want to show you’re a man. But tough has gone overboard when men don’t retreat from a violent altercation over misperceived injustice. Guys, and sometimes girls, now feel they have to be harsh to establish respect. That means talking loud, saying nothing, and even violence in extreme cases, like Jodi Arias. In typical misunderstandings, it means calling anyone anything, but their name. Since the shores of dover, music has been getting harsher, and harsher incubating gangster rap that all ethnicities in America, and just about everywhere, beyond this hemisphere listens too representing all of us. People who’ve bought into this mentality feel they’re being comrades, by sharing the harshest part of African American life, rejecting the love of Motown that bred love. Consider what could grow from the foundation of the old, even if it’s not brand spanking new. The squeaky wheels in charge don’t like corny upbeat melodies, and that causes the majority of the population to lose out on a daily dose of love. Entertainers in the vein of Sean Combs, Snoop Dogg, I mean Snoop Lion, and Jayz have run a con game on us at times where they say love me, because I’ve been through hell in my formative environment, and accept whatever I put into the universe, because now I’m on the road to change. Record executives anxious to collect on the profits have spawned the hatred of Eminem, Marylyn Manson, and so on for decades of internalization vs a maestro like Marion Meadows. Why? I don’t understand it. It doesn’t compute. Jayz, Snoop Lion, and Sean Combs have branched out in many directions, and we can only hope as a society they continue to grow towards the light of a positive vibe for all of us in any new ventures, because they have the power to do so as they influence another generation just to name a few movers, and shakers.

Empty, or hateful words generate the impetus for a poor society, with subconscious consequences. Consider the scenario that someone who prefers another genre of music stops on the dial for some seconds, turns around, and uses what’s perceived as hate selections played by Disc Jockeys nationwide in all formats, for an excuse to hate everyone that plays those selections, say at a traffic light. It makes things run counter clock wise instead of North to East to South to West, and you can’t make progress if you’re running backwards. There’ll always be sharks in the water, therefore all anyone can do is attempt to stay on the right track with affirmative conversation, and consideration of elders contributions, and the origin of instrumental bliss nurtured in band classes once upon a time in America, when musicians worked together, and spread the “love force” of collaboration. Anyone with promise on any given path, on any given day is subject to pay a high price at anytime for the selfishness of an elite few, making billions from tragedy, envy, and greed. The best anyone can do is adore the just in the land who paved the way for possibilities with endless love.

What does all this have to do with Trayvon Martin, you wanna know? The alternate universe of hatred that is trying to infiltrate every pore of America’s striving souls had Trayvon apparently fascinated with guns for an instant, from repetitive images of “cool weapons,” that led him to take a picture on his cell phone, compelled by the testosterone of being a young man seeking entry into manhood projected in countless ways, instead of reinforced images of responsibility to back up any parent raising children, vs not working against them. A picture has been used as the vehicle to tarnish the equestrian’s image, and upbringing, since sadly he can no longer speak for himself, and tell us whether or not he would have enlisted in a branch of military service. In another sense George Zimmerman seemed to have some sort of territorial complex of ownership over his meager land mass, reinforced by the current atmosphere created by radio just to name one warped component, that could have been a factor that resulted in senseless misery that one must bear a lifetime of shame for a second of superiority, that wasn’t deescalated by an adult who might have been blinded by stereotypes, never grasping the fact he was dealing with a manchild. Because of this incident there are millions of traumatized children across the nation, if not the world from the publicity of this case. Let us hope that all men will pay closer attention to the mirror, reset their hearts, and minimize violence.

Because of hundreds of black on black murder crimes in Chicago, IL over the last few years, and other urban areas, there is a perception that all black men are violent. Gun violence is an epidemic in the hands of males of any race with a territorial mindset. However, I have a 94 year old uncle who was married, and dedicated more than 60 years of his life to one woman. This man whistles, hums, plays jazz, and taught love, respect, the art of conversation, and to honor your fellow man. Despite cruelty in the world most people make an effort to be Christians, and strive for a better life in the pursuit of happiness, without interrupting the happiness, or destiny of anyone else. Everyone doesn’t have the benefit of a loving household, however people from loving households step up every day to fill the void for children who’ve lost loved ones to tragedy, or natural causes. The pure souls of most at-risk children of tragedy allows them to learn the best from just about everyone they encounter, even if their environment could be treacherous. Many souls fear you, and whether, or not you’ll be kind, or tell the truth about them at crucial times, more so than your fear of them.

To Trayvon’s peers who might be reading this, we as adults know you’ve been traumatized by his death, and others, but to win the game of life, you’ve got to keep your billiards A game intact, and practice the angles of unity until it’s second nature, if not already.  Young people please respect each other, yourself, and your elders by pulling your pants up, and wearing your hoodies to stay dry in the rain. Help each other with your school work as brothers do. Learn from your teachers whether you feel they love you, or not, because that’s the only way you’re going to attain what you want, and change your circumstances, and create the best way to achieve goals for yourself, by preparing for your life’s career. The Internet has every possible teaching tool you could ever need (www.livescience.com , www.wikipedia.org, www.kahnacademy.org, www.whitehouse.gov (jobs & green technology initiatives  ) www.youtube.com, Search beautiful amazing nature and quotes on facebook, bing, google, and yahoo to sooth your mourning minds. Google green technology and study to reach your goals, and to get in front of the game, since everyone’s on a learning curve in this field, where you can get in on the ground floor, and soar.

We don’t need more senseless deaths of unarmed black youths in America by each other, or adult predators with a sense of being wronged by their mere existence, and presence on the sidewalk. The triumph of Trayvon Martin is the good works his nurturing parents plan to do in his name with their foundation, as they try to build a mentorship program, and advocate for legislative reform in the name of their son. God bless them always.

Please vote if you’re old enough, never quit learning, and growing. Dj’s and everyone please play some songs for Trayvon whether at work, or on the road stopping to get gas.

Copyright 2013 Zimation Arts & Letters Ink ~ July 20, 2013

Note: I sent a check for $10.00 to the The Trayvon Martin Foundation c/o The Miami Foundation,
200 S Biscayne Boulevard Ste 505, Miami, FL 33131, United States