Dedicated to Travis Alexander: A Call for Peace & The Fight for Justice

This goes out to Travis Alexander, his family, and to ALL victims of crimes whose lives were cut short by violence. To John Walsh. To Mark Klaas. To Nicole Brown Simpson's and Ron Goldman's family. To Christie Wilson's and Lacey Peterson's family...to Caylee Anthony and all the lesser known murder cases that don't make it into the media spotlight. This is for Theresa in my Facebook group whose daughter was murdered.

I wish peace and love to Travis Alexander's family and to ALL families of crime victims. I could never possibly know what it feels like, but I hope they can eventually find peace and solace in their hearts. 

The song below has touched me on a very personal level. As we reflect and think about Travis Alexander - a man many of us never had the privilege of knowing or talking to or joking with - I ask you to really think about what we can do to collectively support crime victims and their families.

There has been a lot of trolling attacks happening on Facebook and Twitter by those people who support the defendant, Jodi Arias. These supporters have forgotten who was killed -- the real victim is Travis Alexander. Freedom of speech allows us to voice our opinions in a public space but this circus has gone beyond just voicing an opinion.

This has now turned into a hate fest and people have forgotten what this is all about - it's about stopping violence -- to shed light on the fact that murder is NOT okay. One individual does not have the RIGHT to shoot, stab or slash another human being.

 According to the CDC, there are over 16,000 homicides per year in the United States. 
There needs to be a change in this world - a call for peace. A call for violence to end and brutality to stop. I may rant on this blog but there is a purpose behind my words. It is my hope to give innocent victims, who can no longer protect themselves or fight, a real voice.

I may be just one woman but I can't and won't sit around and NOT do or say anything. The cattiness and the attacks against Travis and his family (and those who support him and his family) won't solve anything. People have lost sight of the BIGGER issue - and these slings won't solve the very real issue that affects each and every one of us. 

Would it be a different story if these supporters had a brother, sister, son, daughter, husband, wife, or grandchild who was brutally killed? How would they feel? 

This trial is about the innocent victim, Travis Alexander - a real human being who was a son, a brother, a grandson, and a friend. He is more than just a crime scene photo or a murder statistic in the United States. He deserves respect and most importantly, he deserves the right to a fair and just trial. I send my personal thanks to Juan Martinez for stepping in and valiantly fighting to give Travis his voice back. 

So take a few minutes...find a quiet place and just let this song and words of the poem sink into your heart. This is my favorite rendition of the song and I love this poem by Maya Angelou.

Here is the link to "I Can Only Imagine" 

Maya Angelou "Amazing Peace" 

"Until the great mass of the people shall be filled with the sense of responsibility for each other's welfare, social justice can never be attained." - Helen Keller 

Justice for Travis!