As many of you know, I’ve been pretty much on bed rest all of this week and haven’t had as much time (or strength) to work on the business that is Tiffany Moníque. Actually – my mom would beg to differ with that statement because the first order of business for Tiffany Moníque is taking care of ‘Tiffany’.
Obviously, I need to be focusing my energies on recovery. However, I wanted to also make sure I took the time to reach out to all of you and share where I am at this point in time. As I sit home, surrounded by my family who have ‘loved up’ on me since my surgery, I cannot help but continue to look at my 6-year old- son, Jordan. Any of you who follow me on Facebook or Twitter know that he is my pride and joy; always has something comical or impactful to say and knows how to bring a smile to my face during even the darkest times. I can’t IMAGINE not having him in my life –or even worse, having him being taken away from me tragically and senselessly. I think you all know where I’m going with this…
In case you’ve been under a rock, the highlight of this week’s news has been the tragic story of Trayvon Martin, an innocent 17-year old black boy in Sanford, Florida. This young man was killed by a self-appointed neighborhood watchman, George Zimmerman, after walking back from a local 7-Eleven carrying Skittles and a bottle of iced tea. Being deemed ‘suspicious’ because he was walking peacefully through a quiet neighborhood in a gray hoodie, Zimmerman assumed Trayvon was up to no good and pursued him (against police orders) and killed him. ABCNEWS recounts the story below:
“Trayvon Martin was walking in a gated community carrying Skittles and an iced tea when he was followed and later shot and killed by local neighborhood watch captain George Zimmerman. Zimmerman, who called 911 to report Martin as suspicious person, has not been arrested or charged in the case. Criticism over police handling in the case resulted the temporary resignation of Sanford police Chief Bill Lee yesterday afternoon. “That was my baby, my youngest son,” Martin’s mother, Sybrina Fulton, told ABC News in an interview in Miami. “He meant a lot to me, I don’t think the police department really understands that. … I need justice for my family, I just want justice for my son.” Supporters of Martin’s family organized a “Million Hoodie March” last Wednesday in New York City. Hundreds of participants wore hoodies to the march which sought to protest both the police handling of the shooting and racial profiling in general.”
The recent tragedy of Trayvon Martin is by far one of the most heartbreaking moments in news… particularly 
now as a mother of a young, African-American son. Acquiring justice in this case seems easy… so elementary, obvious and evident to me that I’m questioning my own sanity as to why this has not been resolved already. I can’t tell you the thought and effort I have put into building a better life for my son and I — where we will not have to live “in the hood” and can instead opt for the quite suburbs with progressive citizens and great schools. But with this most recent account of racial profiling, what awaits me in those suburbs?? As a mother, I feel forced to choose between the risks of gangs and hoodlums in the inner/urban city or racist bigots / self appointed vigilantes in the suburbs. With nothing but time on my hands, the internet at my reach and the television in my view, I’ve watched this story over and over again hoping that there’s some missing element that will make sense. That element has not yet come. This is yet another horrible blemish in America’s history and incredibly flawed justice system, where I – as a African-American mother – must now think twice about letting my child leave the house.
I have so much more that I could.. and will say about this in the future, but this controversy has literally angered me so much in the past few days that it can’t be any good for my recovery. What I will ask of you, this week, is to put yourself in this mother’s shoes – no matter your race, gender, age or creed. Imagine losing your child for something so senseless. Then, join me in helping her pursue justice fervently and unapologetically. Visit the link, sign the petition and let your voice be heard. The tragedy of Trayvon Martin has bled across political lines and pursuit of JUSTICE is the one thing I think we all can agree on.