Stabbings and Stereotypes

Yesterday, I was going to post something that is completely useless.  Today, I'm letting my heart do the talking.

There but by the grace of God...

Maren Sanchez in March trying on her dress for the Junior Prom.  She died last Friday.

Sixteen is a difficult age.  It's tough to deal with hormones, homework and house chores.  Nobody can understand you in the way a good friend can.  And, friends can be keepers and losers in the blink of an eye.

When I was sixteen I developed a massive crush on a classmate, (for more on that story checkout La Douleur Exquise) and even though he didn't feel the way I did about him, I never allowed myself to become swallowed by my disappointment.  I never let the disappointment turn into obsession.  I never let obsession turn me into a killer.

Friday, April 25th.  At 7:14am, Maren Sanchez was at her locker in the hallway of Jonathan Law High School in Milford, Connecticut.  At that very moment her classmate and friend, Chris Plaskon, approached her and invited her to their Junior prom which was to occur that same evening.  Maren, who already had a date declined his invitation.  At 7:15, Plaskon alledgedly wielding a knife, began mercilessly slashing into Maren's face, neck and chest.  Maren lay on the floor in her high school hallway bleeding.  School security guards ran to her aide removing Plaskon from the scene.  The school nurse and teachers attempted to save Maren.  After arriving at the hospital in the neighboring town of Bridgeport, Maren was pronounced dead.

Why am I telling you this story that has already been told dozens of times through different news outlets?  It's because of the color purple.

My favorite color is purple.  It is a color that is considered regal.  Those who adore this color are considered to be ambitious and of good judgement.  They are creative.

Maren Sanchez's favorite color was purple too.

Maren was a singer, paintball enthusiast and athlete.  She does a cover of Phillip Phillips "Home," that frankly is better than the original track.  In the You Tube video Maren literally looks like a beam of light performing on a stool with her guitar, accompanied by microphones.  But, there comes a point where even royalty deserve their privacy.  And, I don't think she's been receiving it.

When I was a journalism student in University, one of the first things we learned about reporting the news was the importance of the connection.  Every piece of news has got to be connected to where you come from in order to get others to pay attention.  Mulling over this story personally, I became sickened by the continuous stories that talk about the things that have been happening since Maren Sanchez died.  First, it was the tribute her classmates paid her taking a picture donned in their prom clothes while holding her dress, pictured above.  Then, it was the outpouring of support from people in the community.  Then, it was that Chris Plaskon would be tried as an adult for killing her.  Then, there was a lady who randomly showed up to leave flowers at a memorial staged at Sanchez's and Plaskon's high school.

Seriously, isn't it enough already?  I mean really, why aren't we talking about how it was this boy managed an obsession so strong that it made him a killer?  Why aren't we talking about how we as school systems, and we as communities continue to fail our children with silence?  You think security is important?  Open up your eyes and ears to the things you think is only, "kid's stuff" because if it wasn't before it is definitely clear now: Kids are killing kids like it ain't no thang.

This story breaks my heart because these children were me at sixteen just like they were you.  How did we make it and they didn't?  Take that feather and place it in your cap.  I bet you won't have the words to call it anything but...


Stereotypes are dangerous...

"We live in a culture...we have to live within that culture"--Donald Sterling

Today Donald Sterling was banned for life from the stadium where the LA Clippers play and, sanctioned owing 2.5 million dollars per racist comment made about the black people he employs and, the black people who love basketball.

Until a few days ago, if you asked me who Donald Sterling was I'd shrug and keep it moving.  It's no secret to those who know me that the game and business of basketball is as interesting as watching paint dry while watching golf, in an office full of certified public accountants talking numbers.  However thanks to his ex-girlfriend, V. Stiviano, everyone and his grandma not only knows who Donald Sterling is, they want to meet him outside in the parking lot after school.

The Jewish owner of the LA Clippers and a former attorney was outed as a racist after some taped conversations miraculously and probably lucratively made its way into the hands and ears of the yellow media machine.  Now quotes like, "I don't want black people at my games," and my favorite, "Do I know the players are black?  I give them money and food, and clothes," are making the rounds in media outlets corporate and common.  Is it shocking that yet another white person is found to be racist?  Personally speaking, no it isn't.  But what is shocking is the undying cycle between whites and blacks, that, "whatchumean you racist, I'mma kick yo ass," with no real change to the acceptance and evolution of color and cultural difference.

Here we go.

Donald Sterling, knowing that he employs black players for the LA Clippers should understand the sophistication of tact.  Dude, you are getting awards of thanks from organizations like the NAACP.  Get real.  He however admittedly understands that certain cultures exist in a society which rules are followed.
And, it is in this way that black people are just as guilty.

As a minority, I am fully aware of the intricacies of race relations.  Sometimes, I get caught up in the reverie of stereotypes.  Most of the time I shake my head wondering if anyone else thinks the way I do.

If it is such a problem for ant person to speak of minorities based on stereotypical views, logic would follow that the very people viewed negatively would change those glasses racist people see out of by evolving their culture, you know the development and improvement of the behavioral characteristics of a certain social, ethnic or, age group.

Raise your hands if you've watched Basketball Wives.  Raise your headphones if you really get the evolutionary message of HipHop music.  These are only two of a variety of cultural characteristics that show all people the "idea" of black people.  Their reach beyond the TV and radio is prolific.  Now, think of the Jazz Renaissance, think of Billie Holiday's "Strange Fruit."  Think of celebrated writers Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston.  Think of Rosa Parks.  Think of Motown.  Think of Eric Jerome Dickey.  Think of Toni Morrison.  Think of Stevie Wonder.  Think of Maya Angelou.  Think of Neil Tyson DeGrasse.  Noticing a difference here?

It's true, Donald Sterling made really racist remarks about black people.  But how was he equipped with the ammunition of stereotype?  Sure, part of the stereotype struggle is found in how we as people are nurtured yet, in a global society that grows smarter by the second something is tweeted what does the black culture have to offer, what is popular?  I'd argue it shouldn't be snatching weaves and fighting while listening to the hottest new album where the material is superficial as best.  We as minorities are playing into the system built for us to keep us down.  Racists are never going to change, but we can.

As so far as I'm concerned, Donald Sterling is as forgettable as a bad movie.  We've always had the ball in our court and if nobody has really noticed we can play.  Well.

Stereotypes are dangerous.  Weapons we wield and get attacked by.

Who is going to stop first?