Welcome to Litsy!

Such a heartbreaking book written by Trayvon‘s parents. They both chronicle their experiences of what happened leading up to & the days after he was shot. Which was a bit slow to read since it was hard to read about their loss & grief. The last half of the book was about the movement & the trial, which was frustrating to read. Trayvon Martin‘s murder continues to highlight the racial injustice in the court systems as well as the daily inequities

What a powerful read so far. I‘ve been trying to read this book for months but I haven‘t been able to get past the first chapter without crying. My heart really goes out to this family and the entire black lives matter cause. This is absolutely an essential read especially during the current state of the world. Finally made it to the halfway point

Today would have been Sandra Bland‘s 31st..... #restinpower #blackhistorymonth #sayhername

*sigh* I‘ve had this conversation with my grandmother. #safety #race #restinpower #trayvonmartin

Rest in Power #TrayvonMartin. Today would have been his 23rd Birthday. #blackhistorymonth #remember

Reading this story, written by his parents, in their own words,with their first person recollections of events, from when they first heard the news through the trial itself, you can't help but acutely feel the injustice of this all over again. It is a heartbreaking read, and I keep putting it down because it pulls no punches, it walks you through what they said and heard as they accepted this horrible event and tried to move forward... (continued)

Part of President Obama‘s speech after the verdict.

My first month of my new (coloring book) Book Journal with multiple read alongs I was keeping track of...and it‘s finished! And even more exciting for me, all on track except 1, I have to carry over Rest in Power (again). I‘ll try to put a push on that one and finish it out yet this month (I have a few days left) and I really need to stop dragging my feet with that sad, but necessary, read. Plus look for pens that don‘t bleed through the pages.😂

When the authors of the book you are reading show up in your morning newsfeed.....

http://www.newsweek.com/trayvon-martins-mother-fights-against-nras-murder-insura...

#KeepFighting✊️

😭 I can‘t believe how much this simple generosity from her co-workers touched me in the middle of this tough read, this here...this tiny simple kindness, made me want to bawl, and it still does! That‘s how we stick together and support each other, and the employers who made the resolution to allow it, good on you!

Just something to think about 🤔

We really are a disturbed people. 🙄

😢

And now I‘m thinking about how scandalized some are because of the kneeling.🙄

Sometimes it‘s important to remember where movements began and why.....and why some seem determined to re-label them as terrorist groups at all cost.

How her minister counseled her. 😢

Such a sad book, and I keep putting it down because it pulls no punches, it walks you through what they said and heard as they accepted this horrible event and tried the move forward through it. 😢

This case and this book is still surreal on so many levels to me....

It's sad that this has to be a job, that there have to be media relations firms to help ordinary people get the help, attention, or justice that should have automatically been done.

And that to get things done, again that should have automatically occurred, you have to be willing to open yourself up to be publicly raked across the coals to get people to do their jobs.

😢 This from the lawyer they called who originally turned down the case, because he was positive it wasn't a case....that they didn't need a lawyer to find out what happened that night or to get justice for their son. Little did he realize. They were already fighting just to get to see their son's body, identify it, and get it released to them...such bizarre and basic things they had to fight for.

Reading this story written by his parents, in their own words, with their first person recollection of events....it is such a heartbreaking story. And with their telling you can't help but acutely feel the injustice of this all over again.

"He was a son, he was a brother and he was a friend. And the last thing that he did on this earth was try to get home." #TBRcleanup

Loaded baked potato soup and finishing this audiobook. It's been amazing so far. #readitandeat

Next up on my Audible #TBRcleanup! I'm catching up on audiobooks faster than I expected. Ebooks, not so much.

I'm preparing for a difficult, emotional experience with this one.

Gutted.

Rest in Power, Trayvon Benjamin Martin.

Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin are two of the strongest people I have ever read about. Ever. And my heart hurts for them with every page I read, especially knowing how loved Trayvon was, and his hopes and dreams. All taken away by someone who decided to shoot because a black kid in a hoodie was scary. Shatters me. Every single damn time.

What an opener. This book, written by the parents of Trayvon Martin is going to shatter me. I know it.

Next up.

I started reading this as a NetGalley ARC, but was not gripped them. However, I knew I had to give it a second shot after reading The Hate U Give.

" I believe that the whole United States is mourning with me and if the death of my son can mean something to the other unfortunate people all over the world, then for him to have died a hero would mean more to me than for him to just have died." Mamie Till Mosley, 1955 #58yearsapart #historyrepeatsitself #stolenchildhoods

The first page....and already I am a bundle of emotions....#trayvonmartin

Heartbreaking and essential read. They go through the murder and the trial. They both have unbelievable strength. I am so angry and disheartened, but also knowing how amazing Sybrina and Tracy are (along with the countless other parents unfortunately in their situation) makes me think that change will take place. #BlackLivesMatter

#BlackLivesMatter

I don't have the proper words to express how important and effective this book is. Trayvon and everything he now stands for is someone who changed my life, truly, and I'm so happy his parents have done so much to push for change. This book is infuriating, motivational, and absolutely necessary. "We will define his legacy."

Trayvon Martin was killed 5 years ago today. I will never have adequate words to describe the senselessness of this crime on a child, his family, and humanity. He should still be with us today. 🌹 #RestinPower #HoodiesUp

His parents, Sybrina Fulton & Tracy Martin, are incredible & strong and wrote his story in this book. I will be spending time with it & donating to their foundation today. I hope you'll pick it up too. #BlackLivesMatter

Seems appropriate to start this one today. #blacklivesmatter

It's been five years since Sybrina Fulton's son was murdered. 💔 #TrayvonMartin #sayhisname #BlackLivesMatter

"How can I show you the hole in my heart? How do I write about the death of my son?"-Sybrina Fulton. No mother should ever have to but she and Tracy Martin do just in this book by telling us about the days following their son Trayvon's death and the trial of his killer. This is a heart wrenching read made worse by knowing the outcome of their fight for justice.

Heartbreaking but so very important and necessary.

I took this picture #outside of the library yesterday when I picked up my hold. Hoping to start it today although I have other library books that are due soon. #riotgrams

#todayinsj Trayvon should have turned 22.

Today would have been Trayvon Martin's 22nd birthday. 🙏🏾🌹

His mom, Sybrina Fulton, set up the Trayvon Martin Foundation & Circle of Mothers, supporting gun control & strengthening afflicted families. You can support it here: http://trayvonmartinfoundation.org/donate/

She is also in Mothers of the Movement with other mothers who have lost children to gun violence. Her book, Rest in Power, just came out.

#BlackLivesMatter #BlackHistoryMonth

My January stats! I'm pretty happy with my reading this month. I read a lot of great books and over 62% were diverse reads. My favorites are starred. I'm keeping track of pages read so I can keep track of roughly how much I'm reading each month since the number of books can vary greatly depending on length.

Oh, this book destroyed me.

Written by Trayvon Martin's parents, this book follows the aftermath of the tragedy and trial. As you can imagine this story is gut-wrenching. But it's also interesting and powerful. I know this book will stay with me for a long time. It's an extraordinary and important book, arguably essential reading.

On page 1 and already this book is devastating.

Taking a deep breath before diving in.

Christmas came early. 😳 Thanks, Netgalley! I better get reading. 📚📚📚

Really, really looking forward to Rest in Power by Sybrina Fulton, Trayvon Martin's mom. Her voice is sadly necessary right now.

#TBRTuesday #BlackLivesMatter