Reflections On Kimani Gray's Funeral

Family and friends carry the casket of Kimani ‘Kiki’ Gray at his funeral held on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Photo Credit Demotix.com

Does this sound like the description of a gang member?

“[His] teachers and classmates remembered him as an energetic, kind, playful, independent young man who tried to learn and grow one day at a time. Kiki was a child with a passion for enjoying life. He loved to dance and joke around with his family and friends…”

Yet just today the New York Post newspaper reinforced the idea that Kimani was in a gang.  In an article titled “Older brother of B'klyn teen killed by cops…” the Post wrote “Cops said Kimani, 16, was a gangbanger looking to rob someone the night he was killed.”

These words describing Kimani ‘Kiki’ Gray were spoken by a family friend during the eulogy at his funeral held on Saturday, March 23, 2013.

I did not know 16-year-old Kimani so I do not know if he was in a gang. But after attending his funeral; I realized that the couple of 16-year-old males that I do know from East Flatbush shared some of Kimani’s likes and traits.

The family friend also told the crowd of approximately 250 people in attendance that Kimani’s “…favorite subject was English because he loved the power of words… At home, he could often be found watching the Avenger cartoons or the television show Supernatural. Kiki enjoyed listening to his favorite rappers Meek Mills and Chief Keef. Everyone around him knew that he loved to eat Chinese food and would eat it every day if he could. Kiki will always be remembered for his infectious smile and free spirit...” 

Kimani Gray and mother, Carol, at his junior high school graduation.                                        Photo Credit: newsone.com

I know a couple of teenage Black males like Kimani and I’m sure you do too.

Many of my East Flatbush neighbors have formed their own opinions about this incident. In fact, as I rushed out of the house on Saturday morning to go to St. Catherine of Genoa, a family member who I adore asked, “Why yuh wastin’ your time to go to his funeral, he was no choir boy. Is this helping you get the job you want? Give me a break.”

I respectfully responded “I know we have different views about this but that’s where I feel I should be this morning.”

As I walked to Church Avenue to catch a dollar van, I thought about the fact that Kimani probably was no choir boy. Just two Wednesdays before, Carol Gray, Kimani’s mother said at a press conference held in Councilman Charles Barron’s office, “He’s not a mother’s angel, but he was my angel. And he was slaughtered.”

Truth be told a 16-year-old boy SHOULD NOT be hanging out in the streets after 11 pm. Truth be told the couple of 16-year-old guys I know from East Flatbush would be with a parent or another adult if it were after 11 pm.

None the less, is 11 shots the appropriate punishment for a 16-year-old Black male that comes across a cop after 11 pm? I know what you’re about to say “But Shari, he had a gun.  He pointed it at the cops and that’s why the cops had to shoot back.”

A candle light memorial on the corner of  55th St and Church Ave in Brooklyn  for Kimani  Gray.                       Photo Credit: BET.com

But according to the Village Voice, witness Tishana King, 39, said “one officer stood ‘right over’ Gray, continuing to shoot him while he was on the ground, and that neither cop identified himself as law enforcement when the incident began. Now since the autopsy has not been completed, this cannot be confirmed.

However, think about this. If a suspect is on the ground, what threat is that person for the NYPD to shoot the suspect again?

I do believe that everyone has to take responsibility for their actions but Kimani is no longer alive to defend himself. Furthermore, I don’t believe the young man who enjoyed life as described in his eulogy would pull out a gun on anyone much less two plainclothes cops that identified themselves. That would be asking for death.

That is why this case has caught my attention. The story from the NYPD has some holes.  Plus, I feel so connected to this story because too often young Black men− like my cousin who has locs and wears urban inspired clothing− are stopped because they “matched the description of a suspect in the area.”

What is going to happen the next time a young Black man who is frustrated about something at home or on his job is approached by a cop for acting suspiciously?

Will he face an untimely death also?  

That should not be!!!