death: Troubled African American Man looks to sky

My Brother’s Love Made Me Feel Blessed, No Matter What

It was an early morning, uncommonly quiet, and with no movement because of a fog alert, yet people were going to different places, to work, to the yard or day room to play cards and chess. My cellie went on a visit.

trauma: Flying bullet from light particles. Vector illustration

My Brother’s Use of Gun Created Lasting Childhood Wounds

When I first heard the topic was on guns, my initial response was I have zero experience with guns. Other than using a water gun at the local fair to win a prize, I never held a gun, shot a gun or even seen a real gun in person.

gun violence: Relatives calming family member at funeral, all in black

Helping Others Heal Is More Powerful Than a Bullet

The losses of life, the endless pain and suffering, the thousands of lives sent to prison, fatherless and motherless children and worst of all a parent having to bury their child. Going back into my life I'll never forget the tragedy that came with the first time I heard gunshots and then saw the horrific wreckage. Two people died that night, one a man I didn’t know and the other a best friend of mine. I wasn't shot, I didn’t pull the trigger, but the bullets tore through my heart and soul. I remember sitting next to my best friend who was laying there dead with a bullet in his head.

Transgender: Young person in autumn park on a skateboard

My Story, My Transformation As a Proud Trans Man

My name is J for all of you who don’t know me. I’m a transgender male, which means I was born as a female with the female anatomy, but transitioning into a...

brother: activists, some wearing Black Lives Matter T-shirts, gather for march to protest alleged police brutality

My Brother’s Killing Messed Me Up

March 7, 2012 my oldest brother was killed. He was killed by the NOPD (New Orleans Police Department). Coming home from school March 7, 2012, my oldest brother and his friend was sitting outside. They were just chilling and talking. Once he saw my siblings and I get off the school bus, he told us not to come outside until we finished our homework.