Every post I see about Blake Brockington is like a punch in the chest. Young people are a big part of my life and when one of our young takes their own life it reminds me we have so much work to do. I know what its like to sit with teens who parents just refuse to accept them. I’ve felt the same sting myself. Its a crime to be pushed so deep into sadness and rejection so early in life. For what I gather, as much love as Blake got from the community as prom King he also became a target in the process then this week at 18 he decided death was better.
As Spring approaches (even though its still snowing out here), The threat of death is in the air here in Chicago. I worry enough for my youth in the game or just walking the streets catching bullets the thought of one of them committing suicide… I can’t. When I tell people I didn’t think I’d see 25 they seem like they can’t imagine me feeling that way. His death reminds me the struggle for life is real. Especially for trans youth and black people. A lot of us suffer in silence and from time to time, no too often some decide to just end the struggle on their own terms.
I didn’t know this young man personally but he was one of our youth. He could have been someone I know and the numbers say one day it will be. His death the thought of someone like him taking their own life is stirring up so much frustration and grief. If I’m feeling it like this I can only imagine my peeps who knew him. Sending so much encouragement to his friends and love ones, to youth, to those struggling for life.
Dirty Art Boi 