My Gabby Aftermath Story ...

[Kweli4Real]

The Gabby shooting happened about 4 miles from my house. It was a Saturday, so the Kweli family was doing our Saturday running around; but this was a special Saturday ... BabyGirl Kweli was going to her first Winter Formal (for those unfamiliar with Tucson/AZ tradition, think a Prom for the entire school held in the winter. Yes, it's a new concept for me too).

So we had to make sure BabyGirl Kweli got did ... got her nails did, got her feets did, and where headed to "the other side of town" to get her hair did. That's where we were headed at about 9:15, when we passed by the Safeway. Momma Kweli mentioned that we should stop at the store to pick up something for Sunday dinner; but Kweli took one look at the crowd and decided, "Oh hell no! You see all those people in the parking lot? We can get whatever at Fry's." After noticing Momma Kweli's not so pleased look, Kweli added, "We don't have the time, we don't want BabyGirl to be late to the shop. (and with a smile)Even though she's still gonna have to wait cuz Reggi is always running behind; but let it be known, the Kweli Family doesn't run on CP time." Momma Kweli laughed and we kept going.

Fast forward two hours; we had dropped off BabyGirl and were shopping for some unmentionables for Momma Kweli (actually, Kweli, but that's a whole nother nother), when Kweli got a text from BabyGirl: "Gabby got shot, she's dead. Watching it on CNN." Followed by another text: "Just about done. You can head this way. What's for lunch?"

Momma Kweli and Kweli left the store to get BabyGirl. They rode in silence listening to NPR (Kweli noticed that this was probably the first time Momma Kweli, "the apolitical's" car had ever been tuned into NPR).

We got BabyGirl and had to make a stop at the mall to get BabyGirl some kind of special under-roos for her dress. (This puzzled Kweli cuz in his book, 15 year olds only need white cotton cuz "ain't nobody better see 'em." Kweli voiced his opinion, Momma Kweli over-ruled, Kweli kept driving to the mall.) The whole drive NPR kept promising a news conference "in 5 minutes." We laughed that the conference would start just when we got to the mall ... a good 20 minutes away.

When we arrived, NPR was still promising so we parked and walked into the mall.

As we passed a Radioshack, Kweli noticed that the press conference was just starting ... we all stopped to watch. There were about 15 people crowded around a 52 inch flat screen ... not unlike the one Momma Kweli keeps writing into the Kweli budget, only to be vetoed by Kweli.

After the prepared statement, one bald-headed, jethro looking guy said: "See I knew this was gonna happen sooner or later. Maybe now the politicians will listen to the people." He got soon looks, but no one said anything. Then he said: "Okay. Raul) Grijalva's next!"

That was just too much for me. Momma Kweli must have recognized my look because she moved a little closer to me and said, "Shhhhh."

But I couldn't let it stand. So I said, "I know I probably shouldn't say anything and let your ignorance speak for itself; but people like you take silence for consent. Tell me something ... exactly when did it become okay to try and kill someone because you disagree with someone politically? That's not what this country is all about. If you disagree, if you think they are not listening to you, wou have a legitimate voice that you can use every two and 4 years ... it's called a vote. When you shout this crap, you show yourself for what you are ... un-american. What this guy just did was commit an act of treason and your approval of, and encouragement of, similar acts on elected officials makes you equally treasonous. It is your right to air your grievances with this government, as delusional and mis-guided as they may be; but you do not have the right to, nor will I sit quietly while you advocate for violence against my country."

At this point, jethro was turning red and clinching his fist, before he turned and stomped out of the store. Several people slapped my back and shook my hand, commenting "Well someone had to say it." To which I responded, "Well, I wish it had been someone else because I think a major part of his problem is that he has a problem with the race of our president ... and my putting him on blast didn't help matters."

On the way to the car, Momma Kweli said, "You know ... One day one of those nuts is going to step to you cuz you know they ain't scare of us no more."

[NOLALady]

1. Excellent job, Kweli!

:applause: :applause: :applause: