Dear Tamir Rice: I Am Sorry

Dear Tamir,

I am sorry. I am sorry that you had to become a hashtag when you were still learning how to be a child. I am sorry that your skin color was seen as the mark of the beast. I am sorry that your life was snatched from your body far too soon. I am sorry that you were not allowed to grow up.

When I look at you, I see my own son and I am heartbroken for your mother and your family. I look at that childish grin and I just breakdown. You were someone’s baby and I can only imagine that their pain right now is unfathomable.

I want you to know that you didn’t deserve to die. You didn’t do anything wrong. There is a bigger war going on here and I am sick that you were taken as a casualty. I want you to know that we are still out here fighting for you. I want you to know that you will never be forgotten. I want you to know that your life was not lived for nothing and your death will not be in vein.

As the holidays end, I want you to know that you are in our hearts. People are weeping for you and your life. I will never stop talking about what is going on. The courts decided not to indict but they don’t control us. We will still fight so that little brown boys and girls, like you, don’t turn into hashtags.

Your life matters, Tamir.