𝐆𝐄𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐈

𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭

     

   I've gone viral since I confronted my teacher for making assumptions about Gemini. Someone recorded the exchange and posted it online. You're probably wondering if that's a good or bad thing - honestly, I'd say both. On one hand, it's bringing awareness.

  The video shows the world we need to do better as a community. It's also bringing attention to Gemini's name and story; people know him as a young Black boy who was shot and killed, but he was so much more than that.

   The video was even posted on The Shade Room. It had a lot of positive comments and support - people offered to help raise money for his funeral, which led to us starting a GoFundMe - it also attracted negative comments. But I expected that; people who never liked us aren't going to start liking us now. I tried to ignore the negativity as much as possible.

   The downside is that I'm now a face on the internet, and so is Gemini. Too many people know me now. My social media account went from 600 followers to 12,000 overnight.

   I knew I had to seize this opportunity to share Gemini's story, to get his name out there. His story deserves to be told, and I felt a sense of responsibility to do so. But I wasn't sure if I was ready. I knew I had to be ready, not just for myself, but for Gemini, for the others who have lost their lives to police brutality, and for the parents who have lost their children to this senseless violence. I had to stand with them, just as they stood with me.

   I sat at the dinner table, my daddy at one end and Isis at the other. I ate with one hand, using my fork, and scrolled through my phone with the other. "Solem, look at this" Isis said, holding her phone up for me to see.

  I glanced at it and saw a post tagged #JusticeForGemini. It was an announcement about a protest being held in our old neighborhood, organized by Mama Rose. I scanned the post and saw that it had a lot of likes.

  "I think this would be a good opportunity for you to speak about what happened" Isis suggested, and I fixed my face. I knew she was right, but did I have to speak so soon? It was overwhelming - all these people wanting me to talk about my friend when not too long ago, they didn't even know who he was.

"You gonna go?" Isis asked, and I took a sip of water. "I'm going to think about it" I replied, and she nodded. I was glad she didn't ask me any questions, like why I was hesitant. I didn't know why, but I deserved to think about it.

"What you two talking about?' my dad questioned, looking up at us. "They're having a protest for Gemini, and Isis thinks it's a good idea for me to use my voice" I explained to my daddy.

He nodded in agreement. "Well, baby, your sister is right. I've always told you, if you've got something to say, speak up. Don't let anyone or any thought shut you up." He quoted another one of his sayings, which I loved.

  It motivated me and put confidence in my bones. I've always been a shy individual around people, but my daddy always taught me to have confidence in myself. I thanked him for that.

"Well, if you do think about going, can I go?' Isis asks, dragging out the "well" and earning a glare from my dad.

  "A protest is not a place for you, Isis" my dad tells her. But Isis persists, "Daddy if I'm with Solem, I'll be fine. I want to go. Gemini was close to me too, and I want to show my support." Her words make my daddy sigh heavily, and I know he's thinking about all the things that can happen at a protest. He knows it's not a safe environment.

He lets out a long, sigh... "You ain't hearing me, Isis. I'm telling you no, you're too young. I'm not gonna have you out there, you hear me?" my dad says.

   An attitude flashes across Isis's face, and I can relate - I'd feel the same way if I were in her shoes. But this situation is different. I'm of age, and my dad is right; Isis doesn't need to be in an environment like that, where people can get hurt.

He turns to me, his face serious. "And you, you can go, but I want you to be real careful when you do, or if you do. I don't need anything happening to you both." He looks at us both, and I understand him. I think Isis understands it too; she just wants to show her love and support for Gemini, just like anyone would.