while i was in st. louis i met such exquisite humans. one of them is an incredible artist-organizer-healer named cheeraz gormon. she is tenacious and brilliant. a few days after we left st. louis, her book In the Midst of Loving came out. she posted this on facebook that day, and i just wanted to pass on to y’all who she is, how much she is feeling on behalf of herself, her family, the place and people she loves. this is the kind of wisdom you gain by living.
“Today, my mother and I walked in court to endure the last of the painful journey regarding my brother’s death. Part of this process included me reading, “Impact Statements,” one written by my mother, and one from me. For me, this process was like holding a third funeral for my brother, except the person who murdered my brother was present, along with his family, the other victims, officers of the court, a judge, domestic violence prevention advocates, and other strangers. My hands shook uncontrollably, at one point I thought I was going to fall because my equilibrium was knocked off, at points I had to stop, take deep breath and wipe tears away as the prosecuting attorney did her best to support me. And by the grace of God, I got through it.
As to be expected, the young man that took John’s life was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole or probation, and he was sentenced to almost an extra 100-years for the other crimes he was found guilty of.
The judge told him point-blank, ‘You will die in jail.’
These events have weighed heavy on me for various reasons, because just like my brother’s Black Life Mattered, the young man that took my brother’s life, his Black Life Matters. The lives of that young man’s children, three beautiful little girls whose lives he has damaged with his actions, their Black Lives Matter. The young woman, the mother of his children, who had been taking abuse from him all these years, her Black Life Matters!
While that young man may be sentenced to life in prison, he has not been sentenced to death. So as long as he has breath in his body, he has the ability to change, to atone for what he’s done, and to be a different type of person. The choice will be his.
On this Spring Equinox evening, I ask you all to hold my family and all families affected by domestic and community violence in your heart and to send us love and light, as we enter this new chapter and energy.”