Sean Taylor and Violence in America

"His heroic action on that tragic night saved both of their lives and is a testament to his humanity and courage. His spirit will live forever in our hearts and through the legacy of his achievements and the family he leaves behind."
--Andy Garcia
"It is one day at a time. "We're getting over a tragedy. . . . You never want to lose a child at a young age. By the same token, I know God don't make mistakes."
--Pedro Taylor, Sean Taylor's father, holding Jackie Taylor, Sean's daughter.

On October 30, 2008, before their game with the New York Giants, the Washington Redskins remembered Sean Taylor, their great safety who died on November 27, 2007, after being murdered in his home. They admitted him into the Ring of Fame, an honor bestowed upon Redskin players who distinguished themselves in their contributions to the game. But did the skins owners, coaches, or fans remember the lesson of his death?

Kansas sports writer Jason Whitlock, who unfairly suggested that Taylor lived a thug life,who even blamed hip hop for Sean Taylor's death, definitely did not learn the lesson. He seemed to have imagined some thuggish brothas, friends or former friends of Taylor, near drunk on 40-ounce beers, crack and self-hate, rollin through his neighborhood and deciding on a whim to break into Taylor's house.

The facts are these:

* Sean Taylor did not live a thug life. He grew up in a middle class neighborhood with his mother and father, who is in the law enforcement business.
* Sean Taylor was a great football player who was highly respected by fellow teammates and players around the league.
* Sean Taylor, according to his girlfriend, Jackie Garcia, the niece of famous Cuban American actor Andy Garcia, was a loving partner and nurturing father.
* Sean Taylor, who was only 24, gave back to his community. For example, he helped the coach of the University of Miami (the college he attended) work with troubled players. And he got fellow professional players help in community work, especially the two players on his team, who also attended what they call "The U!"
*Whitlock, a black man, speculated that, by having hung out with thugs in the past, Taylor invited his own death WITHOUT ONE SHRED OF EVIDENCE.
*Whitlock was wrong. Taylor was killed when people, one of whom used to work at his home, disconnected his security system and broke into his home.

Whitlock should feel ashamed. But what's the real lesson? Shortly after Taylor's death, the daddy, responding to Whitlock's foolish speculations, wrote:

"You see, no matter how this homicide turns out, it is Taylor, the rich black guy, who has been convicted. And of what? Being a rich black man in America? No. A scapegoat? No. If we’re going to get into the conviction business, we need to get real, lay it down in the field and run it straight up: We’re all guilty of being afraid of what Taylor’s homicide represents: That America, the wealthiest country in the world, is also the most violent country in the western world; that this once-great country is in decline, with its middle class sinking into the lower classes and its lower classes becoming so desperate that it’s just about to go out of its mind; and a desperate people will kill not only a strong black athlete in his walled-off home with security—a desperate people will kill us. What we don’t want to come to terms with-- or do anything seriously about-- is the fact that, in this new violent America, we’re all Sean Taylors now. So let’s keep from addressing the larger issue of out-of-control violence in America. Let's focus on Taylor, especially his few “run-ins” with the law. Yeah. Rich black male athlete gets in trouble with the law. That'll sell. Yeah. And let’s not cut a brotha some slack, even in death."

Sean Taylor, the daddy remembers you. And he remembers the lesson of your death: that what happened to you could happen to him, to any of us in America.