Today is day 2 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 Girls & 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.
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.
From "Dear Marissa" by Darnell Moore:
We smiled a lot. According to the pictures I recently stole from mom, my sisters and I donned big smiles and tight a*s corduroys. What’s interesting to me some twenty-plus years later, however, is the hard fact that I cannot remember my smile, I cannot reach back and grasp the joy I possessed, because on many days—not unlike the particular Christmas Eve that I am recalling right now—I watched in horror and fear as my father used his heavy hands or feet or words to brutally attack my mother.What was he thinking or not thinking? What was he feeling or desiring to feel that would make him harm the woman who loved him?…
It was Christmas Eve! There were no sounds of sleighs, jingle bells, carols, and laughter. None. Fist hitting mom’s face. Hair being pulled. Mom’s body being tossed…were dad’s gifts to us. And I cannot forget that evening even if I tried. I also cannot forget the brother that was with him, who watched and did nothing...I cannot forget the brother that was with him, who watched and did nothing. Like most of the men who were in and out of our home, our lives, dude failed to intervene…
I was angry because of the presence of men. like my father, who terrorized my mom and the absence of men, like my uncles, who could have helped her. But most men allow harmful shit to be said about and done to women because it is our default response in a society that perpetuates and allows physical and verbal violence against women. I am not exempt.
Read Darnell Moore's complete letter here.
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