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tsukkinoko · 5 years ago

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TRAYVON MARTIN was walking home with an iced tea and Skittles. He was shot by George Zinneman, who was found not guilty.

KEITH SCOTT was sitting in a car, reading. He was shot by a police officer, who was not charged.

ATATIANA JEFFERSON was looking out her window, and was shot by a police officer, who is still under indictment for murder.

JONATHAN FERRELL was asking for help after an auto accident. He was shot twelve times by police, case ended in mistrial.

JORDAN EDWARDS was riding in a car and was shot in the back of the head by a police officer, who was found guilty of murder.

STEPHON CLARK was holding a cell phone, and was shot 8 times, 6 in the back. The officers were not charged.

AMADOU DIALLO while taking out his wallet, 41 shots were fired by four different officers. They were all acquitted.

RENISHA MCBRIDE after an auto accident, she knocked on someone’s door for help. The homeowner was found guilty of second-degree murder.

TAMIR RICE was playing with a toy gun, and was shot by police officer arriving on scene. Officer was not charged.

SEAN BELL was hosting a bachelor party. 50 rounds were fired by police officers who were found not guilty of charges.

WALTER SCOTT was pulled over for brake lights, and was shot in the back by a police officer who pleaded guilty to civil rights violations.

PHILANDO CASTILE was pulled over and told officer he had a legally registered weapon in car. Officer acquitted of all charges.

AIYANA JONES was sleeping and was accidentally shot by an officer in a raid on wrong apartment. Officer cleared of all charges.

TERRENCE CRUTCHER needed help when his vehicle broke down. Was shot by a police officer who was found not guilty of manslaughter.

ALTON STERLING was selling CDs, and was shot at close range while being arrested. No charges filed.

FREDDIE GRAY was beaten to death by officers while being transported in police van. All officers involved were acquitted.

JOHN CRAWFORD was shopping at WalMart, holding a BB gun that was on sale—police officer was not charged for his murder.

MICHAEL BROWN was shot twelve times by an officer, including in the back. No charges filed.

JORDAN DAVIS was killed because he was playing loud music. Shooter found guilty of first-degree murder.

SANDRA BLAND was pulled over for traffic ticket; was tasered and then arrested. Suspicious “suicide” while in jail. No charges.

BOTHAM JEAN was fatally shot in his home, which female officer ¿mistook for her own? (Which I’ll never understand.) Officer found guilty of murder.

OSCAR GRANT was handcuffed and placed face-down, officer then shot him in the back. Officer found guilty of involuntary manslaughter.

COREY JONES was waiting by his car which was broken down, and was shot three times by police officer, who was found guilty of murder.

AHMAUD AUBREY was jogging. He was shot by two racist men who claimed they suspected him of burglaries. Both men were charged with murder and aggravated assault.

GEORGE FLOYD was suspected of alleged fraud. He handcuffed and pinned to the ground by an officer’s knee. He begged for mercy and he was ignored.

These were all murders. They were not accidental. All of these innocent people: men, women AND children. Were murdered because they were black. Not because they were violent. Not because they were threatening, but because they were black. Something has to change. We have to MAKE a change. Black lives matter. Black men. Black women. Black children. Non-Binary blacks. Trans blacks. Every single one of their lives matter. Your friends. Your neighbors. Your teachers. Your brothers. Your sisters. We are the change.

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tsukkinoko · 5 years ago

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001.

Hello,

Everyone is experiencing the current global pandemic differently. Many businesses have come to a screeching halt (and therefore, the hustle and bustle people's lives, too). Other sectors (like mine) have only gotten busier. Though, now that there is this moment of lull—of what feels like the calm before an even bigger storm—I have more time to reflect.

As I slowly run out of things to do, I start to look for things to fill up my time. Revisiting my love for writing, I thought it would be a great idea to spend the next few weeks practicing with writing prompts.

My favourite childhood vacation:

My favourite childhood vacation would probably be the four months I spent in Vancouver with my sister, aunt and uncle.

Actually, it didn’t really feel like a vacation. It just felt like a summer spent with my “second parents”.

I loved everything about going there and have longed to visit again since.

I hope you enjoy reading my writing as much I enjoyed putting my thoughts down in pen. If you have any advice on getting better with my writing, please message me! I would love to listen to your thoughts.

Short read | 731 words

I just finished grade 5 in the early summer of 2007...

In the beginning of 5th grade, I finally got into the groove of living in a new country. I could understand and speak English better. I was slowly getting the hang of how French worked. I even made some friends. On the last day of school, the "social high" of finally feeling like I belonged, came crashing down with one sentence: "You and your sister are going to Vancouver this summer, your flight is next week," mom said.

"Vancouver?" I thought, "But I've already made plans with my friends!" Being the eldest, I kept my mouth shut and forced a smile. I cried myself to sleep that night.

The day before we left, I spent the day talking to my friends on MSN. “I hate my mom,” I thought, “Why didn’t she tell me sooner?” I look out the window of our apartment, the grim weather reflecting my mood.

The truth was, I was excited to go. I haven’t seen my aunt and uncle since we moved away. But it was all too soon. I wasn’t mentally prepared and was more worried about missing out on a summer spending time with my friends.

My sister and I boarded the plane. It was our first trip without our parents. After my first experience on a plane, I wasn’t too fond of the idea of using flight as a mode of transportation. They knew my fear of flying.

Thoughtfully, my aunt and uncle went through great lengths to make sure we got the best of the best. We had a flight attendant regularly checking on us; a $50 allowance for any candy/drinks/snacks; we even got seats next to the window!

The four-hour flight was doable for my flight-sensitive body. “I didn’t need to sleep or run to the bathroom, so that’s a plus,” I thought. I look over to my right. My sister was immersed in Disney film. Seeing she was busy, I carefully unravel my earbuds from my iPod and look out the window. It was a peaceful sunset behind the Rocky Mountains. Gentle shades of orange, pink, and purple glimmer softly against the snowy peaks as we near our destination. With Beyoncé Knowles and Marc Nelson quietly singing, “After All is Said and Done” into my ears, I begin to think more positively about the trip ahead of me.

And I’m glad I did. My positivity from this trip carried into my adulthood. It taught me a lot.

I learned about so many different foods. Gelato. Sushi. Marbled Ice Cream. Breaded Calamari. Chocolate milk in plastic jugs. It was astonishing how different the way of life in the West Coast was.

I walked everywhere. Swam in the beach. Watched fireworks on a weekly basis. Took evening strolls through Stanley Park. Ate a different cuisine every day. Learned to make cake and (really sugary) icing. I bravely crossed the Capilano Suspension Bridge and went tree trekking. Bought so much random trinkets at the Night Market. Took my first Ferry boat. Saw the Rocky Mountains up close. Played Runescape. Learned to make castles and buildings out of cut Styrofoam. Ran up and down flights of stairs in a 30-story building because I can. Had my first period and dealt with it like a champ. (AKA: Ran to my aunt in tears asking if we could go to the hospital because I was so distraught from vaginal bleeding.)

I know I missed a lot while I was in Vancouver. My youngest sister was born a few weeks before we came back (but I got to name her, so it’s alright? I guess?) A few of my friends moved away. Yes, I didn’t spend time with my friends. I didn’t even talk to them all summer. (Some friends, huh?) But I had so much fun without them. Looking back, I wouldn’t have had as much fun if I stayed.

It’s a trip I’m thankful for and often re-visit in my memories.

When we came back from the trip, I met my new sister and essentially slept until school began. Soon it was 6th grade. Donning my newly prescribed glasses, I felt like an outcast again. (Talk about hitting reset...) Shortly after Halloween, my mom then announces we were moving... We moved mid-November of 2007 to the city I live now. What an unforgettable year!

#writing writers writingprompt vacation staycation experience summer childhood memories

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