Trayvon Martin's Stepmother Speaks Out on the Dr. Phil Show

Yesterday I watched an episode of the Dr. Phil Show which featured Alicia Martin, stepmother of Trayvon Martin, along with best friends of George Zimmerman - the man charged in Trayvon's death.


Photo Credit: http://miami.cbslocal.com/2012/04/12/121914/

What really caught my attention was the way in which Zimmerman's friends tried to portray him as this upstanding guy who was not the aggressor, but a man who feared for his life at the hands of young, innocent Trayvon. To me it just seemed like such BS. I was saddened by the fact that Trayvon's stepmom, Alicia Martin had to sit through all of this talk. She had her turn to speak and it brought me to tears as she poured her heart out about the young man who she helped raise when his parents divorced. She was a part of his life for many years and he was a part of her family. For the last five years, Trayvon stayed at Alicia and his father's home during summers, and numerous holidays. She was helping her mate, who is Trayvon's father, and Trayvon was close to her children as well. At one point she stated, “I didn’t give birth to him but he was my son, to know that he died the way that he died, he shouldn’t have never died like that.”

Why I wanted to share about Trayvon's stepmother and what happened on the Dr. Phil show here on Baby Momma Love, because here we discuss raising children from past mates, being in a relationship or married to someone with children - and our influence in these children's lives.

I want to remind all women who are biological mothers or a mother because you are helping to raise your mate's child(ren) that you are a big part of that child's life, and if something tragic should happen that you are just as much affected as the actual parents. I couldn't imagine my stepchild being with me or staying with me and a tragedy like the Trayvon Martin case happens. Life is short, we never know what could happen - take the time to tell your child(ren) you love them everyday, and if you are a stepparent do everything in your power to nurture the relationship with your stepchild(ren). I could see it in Alicia's eyes, she loved Trayvon, and I am sure she treated him as if he was her very own.



I salute Alicia Martin for her strength, and dedication to making sure that justice is served in the death of her stepson. Thank you for being a great example of a stepmother, and for the love you have provided to Trayvon over the years.

God Bless You!

Peace and Always Love,
Team Baby Momma #22

A Mother's Reflection

Wow, July has come in so quick; had a great 4th of July Holiday and today I sit here and reflect on the last couple of weeks. For me, June was a big turning point in my life as a parent. My child graduated from Highschool! It seems like we wait for this moment from when our children start Pre-K.

This signifies, a new beginning for not only the child but parents as well. For the single parent, it is a whole other feeling. You think about all the blood, sweat and tears...yes, I've had to deal with that phone call you get at work alerting you that your child was hurt, sick or whatever the case; all a part of being a parent. Hoping that this doesn't mean I'm gonna have to miss work, or please don't let them say the word "suspension", who's gonna watch him/her - a single parent's nightmare.

Anyway, that feeling when you see your child walk down that aisle, then go up on that stage to receive that diploma - is such a wonderful feeling, and one of a parent's most proud moments!!! It makes all that you had to go through during the last 12 years all worth it:) I am so proud of my child, and although I was filled with excitment, it was also a scary time because I know what's ahead. You can only hope that you have equipped your child to move forward ready to begin his/her next phase with Confidence, Integrity, Fearlessness, Excitement & the Ability to deal with all types of People; where they can handle themselves in the most toughest of situations.

For my child, college is the next phase, and I am so Happy! I wish him nothing but BETTER days ahead, I want him to learn, explore, grow and never be satisfied with with complaceny. Take chances, study abroad, travel and have fun while doing it; be an ADVENTURER, SET TRENDS and Always Be a LEADER:)

This has been a Mother's Reflection...Congratulations to all the other Mothers out there who have young men or woman who have Graduated from HS this past June of 2012, I Salute You!!!


With Love,
Team Baby Momma #22

A Mother's Love - R.I.P. Trayvon Martin

I am My Sistah's Keeper

On Februrary 26, 2012 yet another tragedy took place that made everyone stop; and have to look at our Beloved America and its Justice System with a side-eye. On this day an innocent, unarmed 17 year old black male by the name of Trayvon Martin was gunned down in a suburban, gated community in Sanford, Florida. It was weeks later that the uneasiness of many Americans began to spread with regards to the handling, or lack thereof on bringing the shooter to justice - who in this case is a white male named George Zimmerman.

On March 21st people took to the streets here in New York City for a rally and to stand in solidarity with the parents of Trayvon Martin - Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton. Thousands donned hoodies as representative of what Trayvon was wearing the evening that his life was lost. I too, rocked my hoodie - took my pic, signed the petition for justice and had countless conversations re: this sudden tragedy. I have been wanting to write something to express my sadness, anger, embarrassment of Beloved America's justice system, and to pay my respects to Trayvon. But I could not do it, there has been and continues to be so much going on in my head with regards to this horrific tragedy. I am Trayvon Martin, many have cried out for we know that at any given time, that can be any of us - our sons, fathers, brothers, uncles etc. Because this is what we are faced with being Black here in Beloved America! But aside from that, I write this today as a MOM, I am Sybrina Fulton - because her son is my son.

Sybrina, I am so sorry for the loss of your precious Trayvon, who became our precious Trayvon.

I write this still dazed and confused by all of the ridiculousness involved with bringing the killer to justice. I grieve with you and for you, and I stand in solidarity with YOU for I am My Sistah's Keeper! The love a mother has for her son, is one of the most awesome loves, we MOMS have this unspoken bond with our boys, they are our babies and we want to do everything in our power to protect them from the harsh realities that we know they will be faced with as they grow up in this scary place called America. We know the deep-rooted hate, fear and whatever else most non-black people have for our boys/men. As we watch them develop, all we can do is pray and prepare them for what they may face as we hope they will live long enough to become MEN. We love our sons unconditionally, they are our pride and joy.

I will forever be uneasy as my teenage son (who is only one year older than Trayvon) walks out of the door each day. Just the other morning he left out for school and for some reason he didn't give me his normal kiss with his usual words of "I'm leaving Mommy, love you have a good day." I just heard the door slam and he did not hear me call after him, nor did he hear me calling him out of the window because he had his music player on. For the rest of the day I was on pins and needles, I started to call the school to leave a message for him to call me, but didn't. When he came home, I was frazzled and wanted to know why he didn't say goodbye, he said he was running late and that he called out goodbye; but that was not the same as hearing him say it, as he kisses me on my cheek. This is our routine, there isn't a day that goes by that we don't hear the words I love you from the other. This is what we as Black Mothers have to live with, wondering if our precious boys or other men in our life will make it back home alive, or will they run into super cop or as in this case, super neighborhood watchman with a gun just looking for a reason...



Peace and Love,
By
Team Baby Momma #22