One year ago, Raymen Justice was gunned down a block away from his Oakland home. He was my student, mentee, friend and little brother. He was beautiful. Troubled and brilliant. Strong and sweet. He was 17.
It’s so common place to lose young men to Oakland’s streets that we numb ourselves to it’s reality. We hardly even muster outrage anymore unless it’s an officer related shooting. There is murder the world over, but America’s inner cities may be where it happens for the most trifling reasons. While the people of the Middle East and North Africa sacrifice themselves for freedom, Oaklanders too often lose their lives fighting for glimmers of money, pride and self-respect. For those above the treeline, it probably seems as though you’re reading about another war torn country, but for those of us in the flats, these murders are not just numbers, they are people… people we love.
The media has a way of inferring that those who are gunned down in east and west Oakland were engrossed in some suspicious activity. There is the assumption that anyone in certain areas at certain hours is up to know good, as though people don’t live in these neighborhoods. We are all people and until the city, police and media treats each and every life lost with the attention of gunned down officers or little boys shot off piano benches on Piedmont Ave, we will have to memorialize our brethren ourselves.
Consider this my viral candle light vigil for one of the most beautiful people I’ve ever met, Raymen Justice. No RIP shirts or candles will bring you back, but perhaps by humanizing you, the city’s cynical demonizing forces will be forced to question their prejudice, and your brothers will be able to smile bright in your honor. We love you Raymen Lamont Justice.
In this spirit of remembrance, your big brother Dick Boston has recorded a song for you.
And just because I love your playful spirit, I’m including this clip of you doing your exotic modeling routine at last year’s Meaningful Student Engagement retreat. lol.
