By Mark Esposito, Weekend Contributor
Author’s Note: Grace Under Pressure is an ongoing series of posts honoring everyday people who courageously make positive differences in their own lives and consequently in the lives of others. It is my own personal affirmation that unexpected heroes live among us and that their service is quiet but unshakable proof that virtue really is its own reward – and ours, too.
They buried little eight-year-old Martin Cobb, Jr. here in Richmond (Va.) on Friday afternoon. Rev. Theodore L. Hughey, pastor of Abundant Life Church, praised the youngster for his courage and then went on to condemn the community and the bureaucrats who oversee it for letting crime fester and forgetting about the children who suffer from it. A handmade sign above the tiny coffin read “Pound for pound, year for year, few greater heroes … if any.”
And little Martin, as his neighbors in the Mosby Court public housing project knew him, was a hero. A small stature caused by an open heart surgery while he was just three-months-old hid a fighting spirit. Many neighbors thought he was only three or four years old. One of them, Harry Hunter, recalled that “He was so small, I used to carry him in my book bag.”
But no one “carried” Little Martin on Thursday evening a week ago when he died defending his sister from a sexual attack at the hands of an alleged 16-year-old sexual predator who, at his young age, had already been charged with viciously assaulting another young boy and has suffered mental health issues.
Marty and his eleven-year-old sister were devoted to each other. Growing up without a father figure and living with a mother who worked to sustain them, they stuck together. Local proprietors recalled the two stopping by in the afternoon to indulge Marty’s rather modest vice for “Hot Fries,” a fast-food snack with a kick of Tabasco. Mosby Court is one of Richmond’s toughest neighborhoods plagued with crime and drugs so the two were always together out of love for each other and fear of the surroundings.
On Thursday evening last, love and fear would intersect at the children’s home on Brandon Road with horrific consequences. Then, according to press accounts, 16-year-old Mairese Jershon Washington, burst into the residence allegedly intent on sexually assaulting Marty’s sister. Confronted with the invasion, Little Martin fought back with all that his four-foot frame would muster. It took a brick to the head and a strangler’s hold to stop the young boy. His assailant retreated, but not before dumping Martin’s little body on the railroad tracks behind his home.
Mourners here Friday were sad and proud. “As soon as he could talk, I told (him) he’s the man of the house. That’s what he did. He’s a hero,” his mother said. “I’m proud of him. I’m proud that he stuck up for his sister. He did what he was taught,” family friend Geraline Pitchford added. Another neighbor Sudan Aunu said, “To have the courage to defend his sister as if he was a grown man. His sister is alive today because of him.”
Rev. Hughey’s words struck some as off the point Friday or a disservice to the heroism of the victim. But were they really? How can a community allow a crime infested neighborhood to wallow decade after decade and do little if anything to address the real problems of poverty, lack of father figures, and unaddressed mental health issues. Virginia has been sorely lacking in answers for all three and it took a highly publicized case of State Senator Cree Deeds’ maiming at the hands of his mentally ill son to even raise the issue of shoddy mental health treatment. Poverty and unstable homes bear hardly a mention in this southern city where conservative policies rule and “pulling yourself up by your bootstraps” is deemed an article of faith yet only a historical reality for the second and third generation monetized elite who run the town. Rev. Hughey was calling that out and trying make Marty’s death mean more than an icon of family fidelity and intrepidity. He wanted the second grader’s death to bring change. But change for the benefit of the city’s children, it seems, takes more courage than even Martin’s selfless act can accomplish. It takes a community’s courage not just one small person’s. At least, the community has a blueprint for that change now.
A memorial fund has been established in Little Martin’s name at the Wells Fargo Bank called the “Keys For Marty” fund here in Richmond. Donations can be made at any Wells Fargo branch.
Source: Richmond Times Dispatch
~Mark Esposito, Weekend Contributor
Apparently, my last comment has offended the sensibilities of some. If that is more than crocodile tears, I do apologize.
In so far as my personal coda, let me just state that I will politely tolerate any contrary heartfelt opinion or any opinion susceptible to change with new information. I will not tolerate quietly any talking point that emanates from some ideologue think-tank or one that is intellectually dishonest or founded on a body of well-thought out lies. And you all know, there are people who come here with an agenda for more than honest exchange of ideas.
I will endeavor to use more genteel words but propagandists need to be called out and shills need to be unveiled. I won’t shrink from that. For them, just know my polite condemnations hide an utter disgust of your tactics and of your shadowy masters who value victory over country and lies over truth.
Jefferson said that “ridicule is the only weapon which can be used against unintelligible propositions. Ideas must be distinct before reason can act upon them.” He could have added that the weapon works equally as well against the intellectually dishonest.
Mark – is this the intellectual dishonesty you were talking about?
http://nypost.com/2014/04/23/obamas-lies-have-led-to-global-mistrust/
Mark – or would this be the dishonesty you were talking about?
http://hotair.com/archives/2014/04/17/fox-poll-61-thinks-obama-lies-on-important-matters/
No kidding. When True Believers have difficulty discussing facts, they resort to attacks to change the subject.
Actually Paul, there are lots of folks on here that get turned off with the extremes of both parties. Enough to really want a strong third party. But not enough to assure the GOP/Tea Party any victories.
Mespo – maybe you should get me a tissue, or a violin player, to show your great and superior compassion for my misery, and that of millions of other people in the same boat.
Mespo:
As I stated earlier, I did read the LA Times article. As I said previously, it was based on faulty provider directories.
Who do you believe, the LA Times or the doctors themselves?
I just called another doctor to make an appointment, and discovered that they, too, do not accept covered California plans. My plan is an ACA compliant individual policy, which, although I did not purchase it on the Exchange, is actually considered a type of covered CA plan.
So . . . $900/month, $6,000/per person deductible, and I still pay out of pocket for doctors, which does NOT count at all towards my max out of pocket. The receptionist I spoke with is in the same boat. She can’t afford her premiums, has an $8,000 deductible, and no doctors.
But, hey, that’s great that you had a great experience. Willful blindness.
Karen S – there are some people you are never going to get through to.
Here’s my research: Kids coming to school hungry? Feed them. Period.
Mark – how about “I did not have sex with That woman”
Poor Karen. People are deliberately misrepresenting her deliberate fallacies. We should rejoice in intellectual shallowness and greet them as we would a prodigal son: “Welcome back, you poor misunderstood charlatan. Let’s put your crazy notions right up there with documented truth and call the all the same. We wouldn’t want to “victimize” you now would we? Come feel better about your ideology by creating the reality you want to be”
Karen and Paul, The “Got The Blues” Brothers. I can’t wait for the Redneck Comedy Tour. Get ‘er Done!!
Karen:
“I am interested in facts, figures, and statistics, not emotional or hysterical arguments, like Republicans think kids should die.”
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Then you ought to read the LA Times article I cited directly refuting your” facts, figures, and statistics” on Obamacare acceptance by California physicians.
Annie:
Karen and Paul don’t believe in any authoritative contrary source. (LA Times-WHO– Bad; Fox News-Good) It’s the “No True Scotsman” logical fallacy on steroids. It’s the tactic of the provocateur, the intellectually dishonest, and the prevaricator. See my comments above. You can learn how not to think by observing some people.
Mark – how does No True Scotsman work with the LA Times. I am missing the connection there.
Karen, You are a heavyweight, fighting bantamweights. But, I’m not saying you’re fat!!!
I am interested in facts, figures, and statistics, not emotional or hysterical arguments, like Republicans think kids should die.
Feynman:
Please do more research on the lunch program, as, again, your comments show no understanding of the situation at all.
Annie:
I never said there were not people who ask if we are doing enough. Again, you are deliberately misrepresenting what I have said.
I said that Liberals and conservatives are both needed for what they can contribute.
Feynman:
You discount all opinions and articles unless they are written by Liberals. Narrow minded.
As for a media blackout, this is all quite easy to ascertain for yourself. You are encouraged to research this on your own. If you do not do so, then you are spreading misinformation that you did not take the trouble to vet yourself.
Annie:
“Yeah, screw all of those people who have no healthcare. Why did we need any change at all?”
You deliberately misrepresent what has been said.
If your home has termites you do not burn it down and claim you “did something.”
The Republicans will be still screaming Benghazi through November 2015. And I’m not going to worry about the employer’s mandate just yet. Not when at any moment we will be hearing the screams of 1.5 million Californians that are unable to find a doctor or a hospital that will accept their ‘shiny’ Obamacards.
Watch out when a conservative only wants to know ‘if the program is effective’? Next comes, “No food for you”.
reductio ad absurdum – that is a logical fallacy, but nice try. Better luck next time.
Single payer would be like Medicare.
Watch for signs at Tea Party rallies……Keep Government Outta My Medicare.
Annie,
It was also “screw all those kids getting free lunches”. Doncha know some kids were getting free lunches that could afford to pay? And worse, the program didn’t supply enough calories. (I don’t know if that is true since Karen’s sources are all propaganda machines.) The remedy? Eliminate the entire program!
No food for you, poor kids!
on 1, May 14, 2014 at 1:03 pmKaren S
“Annie:
In fact, I believe that we always need people asking, “Are we doing enough?” I just also think we need people in charge asking, “Is this program effective? Are we putting too many obstacles up for people to succeed? And how are we going to pay for this?””
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Karen, there ARE people asking those questions, why you think they aren’t, I can’t quite understand. Now I’m off.