Today is day 8 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 , 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.
The latest letter is from scholar and (exceptional) writer Kiese Laymon. This brother talks fear and the power, pain, possibility of just 12 minutes.
Dear Marissa, from Kiese
"…I believe that you were scared. And I believe that you should be. I believe that your partner, like me and like much of this nation, has leaned on you for survival while attempting to mangle your body, your trust, your imagination, your access to healthy choice and truth. I wonder if we have the will to change. I am afraid of that answer."
"…12 minutes. That’s how long it takes me to prepare a pot of grits. 12 minutes. That’s three songs off of this shiny Drake album I’ve been trying to make myself appreciate. 12 minutes. That’s how long it took me to write the first three sentences of this letter. 12 minutes. That's how long it took a jury to convince themselves that you had no right to fear…"
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/
'LIKE' the 'FREE MARISSA NOW' F/B Page
'LIKE' the 'EMOTIONAL JUSTICE F/B Page
