5-14 Seems to be more celebratory than remembrance

by Betty Jean Grant

Betty Jean Grant

Mark Talley lost his mother during the 2022 Tops Market Massacre. When he or any of the relatives of those who were slain speaks about anything regarding the massacre, I listen. I believe that they, more than anyone else, have a special place and an unobstructed insight about how we, as a community, can best support them and their families as we all move forward toward the federal trial that will determine how justice will treat that racist, hate filled murderer of ten of our much beloved citizens.

After reading Mr. Talley’s op-ed in last week’s newspapers and lately, seeing and reading his extremely long manuscript on Facebook pages, this writer believes that she and he share many of the same sentiments that the day of May 14th is becoming a hot dog and hamburger eating event, where more energy is spent on socializing and finding out who did what to whom, than actually talking to and finding out how the survivors are coping! Mark Talley seems to believe (as do I) that there is too much time focusing on passing out outdated fruits and vegetables, while little time is devoted to engaging the shooting survivors and the family members of the ten victims who were so cruelly killed.

A few days ago, I attended a community meeting at the Merriweather Library that was hosted by Ms. Dominique Calhoun, a bright, young woman who is asking questions and holding people accountable regarding how the 5-14 funds that were donated were spent and what methods were used to determine who got what and how much.

In the one of the seats in the Frank E. Merriweather Library sat the young mother who put her child in the Freezer as the guy started shooting, to keep her from potentially getting shot! While talking about she and her daughter’s ordeal, she broke down crying. I am not aware of what level of crisis intervention or grief counselling therapy, if any, she might have received; but it was clearly evident, in her case, that more assistance was needed.

The community leaders and politicians need to get a hold of Mark Talley’s writings. His opinion or position regarding people maybe using the tragedy for personal reasons or political opportunities is how many persons, including this writer, feel about how these somber gatherings are becoming more circus-like. Mr. Talley is not the only one who lost a loved one at the supermarket to feel this way.

Finally, I will never forget the fact that, several years ago, during the remembrance ceremony, the event planners forgot to save space under the tent for many of the relatives. There was reserved seating for the pastors and the politicians; but alas, the families of those who were taken so viciously from us, had to fend for themselves.