Winston Salem Rally Stop

Arrived to the home of Dedrick Smith's family...an African American who rarely gets attention to his case, just a reminder of "if your not white and pretty and missing, well...enough said", I hear it daily and sadly have experienced it for 17 years. You see the world makes up what is marketable, we are all guilty of it at one time or another, for me I make it a point to always face that reality head on! I do NOT play a part to it, I have chosen to help change That in life and have to believe in some small way it helps. God forbid you are a male, handicapped, ugly, not have citizenship, have a drug issue or get this, be an adult? Then it becomes almost impossible to get the press to cover your disappearance, why? Well, because YOU are not marketable...so, my point is do not complain unless you stand up and take part to change it. You do not get that right. So, we embrace all in attendance and listen to a wonderful song sung by a local pastor...he was amazing, straight from the heart, southern hard tortured black struggling gospel, I love that type of singing, it was definitely received. Dedrick's mom did a great job with the table, balloons and words spoken. This family walks the walk of what a christain is and it is clear they just really love everyone, no matter what...you cannot help to love them back, just cause. For me it is more though because I was the first one there for them when their loved one got missing, and over the years have grown to share in their pain and have respect and love for them all. I left knowing one thing for sure is that Dedrick would always be a black adult male who is missing and we will always have to work harder on his case just because of our worlds criteria, and I get mad all over again.
Monica