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Fast Tube by Casper

The following story was originally published in the Mpls Mirror on Monday, January 2, 2012. The original title was, “3-Year-Old Terrell Mayes Vigil Turns Into Political Speeches, Again.” IBNN NEWS brings you this story due to the complex oversight of local media to sugarcoat and fluff the systemic causal reasons of benign neglect.

• Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybaks aide to Terrell’s mother, “Can you wait until Friday for the funeral? Then I’ll be back in town.“

by Terry Yzaguirre of the Mpls Mirror

"Terrell Mayes shouldn't be remembered as a political pawn for Minnesota's DFL dug-in elected, campaigning officials."

As I was a block away from little Terrell Mayes home were a vigil was being held, I drove by homes that had many little children’s toys scattered all over the front yards.  Toys that Terrell himself may have played with, but now will never even learn to ride a bike.

It seemed more like a spring day rather then 9 hours before the New Year of 2012 on Saturday, December 31st as many gathered for the vigil of the little 3 year old outside the home he had lived in before he was murdered by a stray bullet.

Considering the age of this child and the circumstances of his death, I would have expected the streets to be packed if for no other reason to show support to the family, and solidarity as a city.  After all, hundreds of people will show up for the yearly City Of The Lakes Loppet, or to bike down a closed street promoting biking.  Why would we not show up in hundreds for the death of an innocent 3-year-old child?  After all is this not a great place to live and embrace our fellow neighbor?

If the loss of this child’s life is not more important then bike lanes, art, sports, politics and Loppet’s why then do we seem confused at the outcome of our children in this city?

When Guadalupe Hernandez was shot and paralyzed, the community came together from the time of the incident until she was released from the hospital with donations to make sure her family had the essentials to take care of her from a wheelchair to a van.  Terrell’s mother was still trying to find the money to bury her son.  Did she expect a bullet to destroy her life anymore then Guadalupe’s family’s experience?

What makes Guadalupe’s situation more compelling then Terrell Mayes?  Could it be that main stream media wants to leave a bad taste in our mouth when it comes to the black community with their slanted stories they write? Comments left on this child’s death are evident of the labeling, and disgust felt by individuals in this land of OZ city.

"All babies go to heaven." (photo: Mpls Mirror)

One can not blame main stream media when those media outlets representing the black community do not address the situation effecting the community, which does even more of an injustice to the people they claim to keep informed.

In the Mayors speech at the vigil he stated “that they had an amazing opportunity were incredible resources are put into this community to make sure every child is surrounded by the resources that they need.”

Well Mr. Mayor where the hell were the people the day of the vigil that collect those hefty paychecks off the struggling backs of the poor?  Do they not get paid to show up on a weekend?

Where were all the people who claim to be activist, or operate non-profits organizations to help the community you spoke about?

Where were CM Betsy Hodges and her husband Gary Cunningham who is vice-chair of Northway Area Foundation and according to his website co-chair of the City of Minneapolis Youth Violence Prevention, Lisa Goodman, Keith Ellison and CM President Barb Johnson?

Where was Kenya McKnight who now claims the occupy the hood movement, Anthony Newby, Mel Reeves, Al Flowers, the leader of the village and host of Urban Agenda on KMOJ Lissa Jones who cries every week on her show?  Where was KMOJ?

Where was Bishop Howell, Stu Ackerberg who has all the development going on in the Northside, Spike Moss, Jackie Cherryhomes, all the movers and shakers of the Northside, Twins, Vikings, and Basketball players?  All the clergymen, Where were the Hennepin County Commissioners?

Where were the black journalist representing the community such as insight news Al McFarlane or Spokesman-Recorder Charles Hollman?

Where was the Occupy movement? Where were members of the Minneapolis Foundation, Louis King?

Where were the people of the city? For all the people that make loud proclamations on how important our children are, where were you?

For all the money that has been paid to all these groups of people to care about our children, where the hell are they when needed the most?  Why should a mother have to look towards stranger’s donations to bury her son?  Where is the compassion of those that are paid to care?

Only two posts were posted on the e-democracy thread about this young child’s death. I think that says it all.

It is a sad day for this city, when a three year olds life does not impact all of us, and a vigil turns into promotion and political speeches.

May littler Terrell rest in peace, and may his family continue to find strength with the right support.