Today is day 23 of the national month-long writing campaign for men on the issue of domestic violence and in support of Marissa Alexander, the Florida mother of three who was sentenced to 20 years for firing a warning shot to scare off her abusive husband. Launched by the Chicago Taskforce on Violence Against Women , Emotional Justice Unplugged, and the Free Marisa Now Mobilization Campaign, EBONY.com is the official media partner of this critical act of 'emotional justice' in action.
*NOTE: Watch the HuffPost Live interview with Darnell Moore, Dr David Leonard, Kai M Greene with campaign organizer Esther Armah live in the studio answering the question – why men for this campaign?.
Check out our mission statement here and visit EBONY.com daily through the month of October to read powerful words from men who are committed to seeing justice for Marissa Alexander.
This campaign has become multi-generational and multi-racial. It invites a nation of men of all creeds and colors to write letters. We've had letters from black and brown incarcerated teens, middle aged white men from Chicago, Black 20 something artists and white scholars. Today's letter is from grandfather, a man raised with violence who says the best revenge for him was becoming and being a loving man – to his wife, a father to his daughter, and grandfather to his grandbaby. He signs his letter 'L', and wishes vindication and for Marissa to go and live a long, peace-filled life.
Dear Marissa, from Grandfather "L"
"I hope you will be vindicated soon and live a long, peaceful and productive life."
"…if Stand Your Ground applies to a rogue like Trayvon Martin's murderer, it should apply to you even more so especially when nobody was even hurt, but instead you prevented a mortal attack"
"I don't have much insight on the hubris some men bear, except all the drinking and the beating is quite bad. I grew up with these things. I have been a loving, teetotaler of a husband and a non-violent father as best payback."
Read this brother's complete letter here.
CHECK OUT THE MEN'S LETTERS: theSWAGspot tumblr
SEND LETTERS: [email protected]
DONATE TO MARISSA ALEXANDER'S LEGAL FEES FOR HER NEW TRIAL: https://justice4marissa.com/
