He died, alone, on the corner of Harmon Street and Crescent Avenue in Jersey City just before midnight Thursday, July 18th. His family, friends and neighbors mourn his murder and demand justice, just as those in the over 100 cities that are now demanding justice for Trayvon Martin. His name was Amin Sumpter and he didn’t live past his 23rd birthday.
Amin Sumter did not die at the hands of a white “security” agent for a apartment complex. More than likely, he died at the hands of what basically was, another young black male. “He knew who did it, but when (the police) tried to ask him, that’s when his eyes rolled back into his head and his mouth started trembling and he couldn’t say,” one of the neighbors said. That’s when he died from being shot down in the street. He knew who shot him, but before he could tell the cops, his eyes rolled back in his head and he expired.
So where are the plans for mobilizing for his justice? Where are the people whose outrage are demanding justice today for Trayvon Martin? Why aren’t they demanding the same justice for the capture of Amin’s killer and for the end of the epidemic of our young Black and Latino men murdering each other on the streets of our cities like they were in the teaming jungles of Vietnam or Iwo Jima?
It’s been said that many people in America are episodic and only react when they see countless others reacting and then only for a short while. Then they go back to sleep until the next “outrage of the moment”, then repeat the same short-sided steps over again. But where is the mass, sustained outrage for the young males who are gunned down on the streets by people who look just like them?
I have an idea, how about erecting a wall in Washington D.C., similar to the one dedicated to the fallen soldiers from Vietnam and have the names of the thousands and thousands of children and young men and women who have been killed by their so-called peers. Maybe we could call it the Fallen Murdered Youth Wall.
Maybe the shame, agony and heartbreak this powerful structure would bring to the many who see it might just move some more people into action.
I keep seeing these post about where are the protest for Amin Sumter and the outrage. Did anyone ever stop to think that maybe his family doesn't want all the outrage or publicity. When you live in a community where there are gangs, drug dealers, constant fights and death you know that there's a chance your son won't come in tonight. Just to see our sons make it to 25 is a blessing. When you live in a decent neighborhood and have an innocent child the last thing you expect is for your teenage son to be gunned down by the people there to protect the neighborhood. The loss of Amin Sumter is sad and many people wish we could stop our young men from killing each other but that's the street life. So please stop comparing the two. You don't expect your love ones to be killed by the ones who are here to protect us. The only thing in there cases that are the same is both of there murders belong in jail
ReplyDeleteHow about seeing our sons live to 65 or 75? Yes, there should be more outrage. I also don't think the previous commenter realizes that Amin Sumter is a metaphor for all the young men and women who die anonymously, no pun intended, on the streets and no one but their kin and friends seems to give a damn.
ReplyDeletetrust and believe there are plenty of kin who care for Amin Sumter people just dont know its only a matter of time
DeleteI read your blog about Amin Sumter. It's nice to see someone noticed and cared.
ReplyDeleteThank You.
this is real keep going for amin sumter he was a real dude
ReplyDelete