For some, death is a time of mourning and reflection on a loved one’s life. For others, it’s a chance to collect Facebook ‘likes’ and comments. Let me explain.
The recent tragedy of Robert Champion, the FAMU band member killed in an alleged hazing incident, has cast a dark shadow on the university but brought light to an eerie trend– photography at funerals.
I stumbled across an article over at Loop 21 (WARNING: Picture may be disturbing) discussing the controversy over whether or not Champion should have been buried in the very uniform that he was killed in. While debatable, I couldn’t get over the photo the accompanied the story. An attendee by the name of “Saxwell Self” had the indecency to snap a picture of Champion lying in his casket. His reasoning behind the shot:
“SOME PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW WHY I POSTED THIS PIC. MY RESPONSE:
I ALWAYS POST UP MY PEEPS THAT DIED. THIS IS NOTHING NEW. I BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF PRAYER AND IM SURE YOU DO TOO. IM ASKING MY PEOPLE TO SAY A PRAYER FOR HIS FAMILY. MANY PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY RESPONDED THAT THEY WILL. WHAT IM DOING IS GETTING GREAT NUMBERS OF PEOPLE TO PRAY FOR HIM. THAT IS A GOOD THING & PRICELESS.
MY DAD JUST DIED AND I POSTED A PIC OF ME STANDING BY HIM IN THE CASKET AND I GOT HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE TO PRAY FOR HIM AND MY FAMILY. THAT MADE ME FEEL GOOD TO ACTUALLY SEE THE LOVE & RESPONSES. THATS WHAT WE NEED RIGHT NOW IS THE FAMU NATION PRAYING FOR HIM AND HIS FAMILY. POSTING THIS PIC MAKES IT REAL. ITS ONE THING TO HEAR ABOUT IT IN THE NEWS BUT NOW THEY SEE IT, THEY FEEL IT, THEY PRAY FOR HIM.
SOME PEOPLE SAY IM BEING DISRESPECTFUL. SO BE IT. IF GETTING MY FELLOW RATTLERS AND FRIENDS TO PRAY FOR A MY HUNDRED BROTHER SOUL IS DISRESPECTFULL THEN IM GUILTY AS CHARGED.
FEEL FREE TO CHECK OUT MY RIP GONE BUT NOT FORGETTEN ALBUM. I POSTED ALL THESE PICS WHEN THEY DIED. NO ONE HAD A PROBLEM WITH IT BUT NOW ITS A PROBLEM.
WHEN THEY NEXT PERSON DEAD & GONE THAT I KNOW IM SHOWING LOVE AND GETTING MY PEOPLE TO PRAY FOR THEM TOO!!”
Feel free to check out my “R.I.P. Gone But Not Forgotten” album?? I’ll pass.