Many mourn senior amid controversy - The Diamondback : Campus

 There were not dozens attending Justin's memorial on January 20, 2011 at the beautiful UMd on Campus Chapel.  There were HUNDREDS of friends, brothers, sisters, alumnus, professors, advisors, staff and family who turned out for a beautiful send off for Justin!  Justin's PA family stepped up and took care of pulling everything together to make this night special; as you can imagine I was in another WORLD!  I am Justin's momma <3



Many mourn senior amid controversy - The Diamondback : Camps

Halloween 2009~Better times~Justin and his brothers.  College as it should be a wonderful EXPERIENCE!

My letter to Justin 10.19.1988

Saturday March 15, 2014

Yes it's 5:06 AM as I begin to type and I am still awake. WIDE AWAKE! Odd the night flew by; then again this began happening after Justin had to go home. I look at the clock and it's 11:00 PM the next time I look it's 3:48 AM and I truly feel as if very little time has passed? This has been one of those nights...Y-A-Y!

Justin Letter October 19, 1988 [he was 5 months and 18 days]

Dear Justin_

Hello! Just me_You are so wonderful! I really want you to know this_and {yes I keep repeating myself} I love you more than I knew it is possible to love another human being_Enough gushy serious "stuff"! haha!

Today you were rolling around on the dining room floor while I was doing inventory. I guess you grew tired of waiting for me and you rolled over to your bottle, picked it up and finished it!! hahaha I am so proud of you we called your grandma to share this news with her!

It's night now~ you are rolling around on our bedroom floor putting little milk dots everywhere with your bottle! hahaha Gosh knows you look so cute! Now you're rolling around on top of my clean and folded linens and towels that are no longer folded! hahahaha  I love watching you baby.

Honey I hope someday when you read these letters you will understand how much you have changed my life in a very short amount of time....and how much I am enjoying these changes. Justin every minute has been more than worthwhile for me.  Baby I love you beyond words.

Night night, sweet dreams Justin, I love you, I'll see you in the morning. 

Justin September 1988, gosh knows he loved grabbin' handfuls of hair and it didn't matter whose!

I wrote Justin so many letters I began to use journals.  No he never got to read any of these tokens I kept for him and had decided to gift to Justin for his graduation from college May 2011.  Sadly he was tragically and heinously murdered four months and approximately two weeks before he was to walk the stage for all of his decades of scholastic diligence and determination.  

Justin received his diploma posthumously as the day he was senselessly murdered he possessed 176 credits ~ a 'B' in Quantum Physics and this is whom we lost.  Not the CAREER CRIMINAL who shot Justin TWICE at point blank range without any emotion or remorse or human compassion. 

I remain Justin's [I truly do want my son back] momma

Justin Wanted to Save the World

As a mother-to-be I had listened to other parents stories and truly did not know what to expect prior to Justin's birth.

The first realization after becoming a parent is; children don't come with instruction manuals! You experience 'on the job' training at it's best as a parent and to be quite honest at times it can be a bit overwhelming. You will find that you constantly question yourself and your methods while rearing your child to become a positive force as a member of society. Then there are days, the glorious days, you just know all is well with your child and that they are progressing into wonderfully compassionate, strong, intelligent young teenagers preparing for the challenges life offers.

I was lucky Justin was an easy child to raise. He was just a happy person from the very beginning. Justin had focus, depth, caring, a beautiful heart and mind that possessed the ability to notice what others did not. Even when Justin was a young child he had wisdom far beyond his years and passion that was contagious. WOW! His approach over flowed with passion and intrigue when he pursued no matter where his interests lead him.

Watching him, I sometimes found myself, fascinated by Justin's GOD given knowledge which he enhanced through diligence, determination and study. A very old soul in a very young man's body; he could find the most profoundly logical solution to extremely difficult situations.

Justin, a true pacifist, never harmed or hurt anyone [or anything] in his SHORT lifetime. He had no enemies and never held a grudge. When you became Justin's friend, brah, sister it was for life. Whatever the time day or night, whatever the circumstance [I am so proud to say] he always made time to comfort and advise others whom he loves so dearly.

Justin wanted to save the world...He lost his life saving two friends from a gunman instead.

GOD BLESS you my beautiful son. I love and miss you beyond human comprehension....I love and miss you bigger than the universe.....momma 'out' Babe... Infinity + ONE Honey Always

LOVE Your LIVING Children

A quote for the parents I read posts on fb complaining about their LIVING children on a daily basis.

YES YOU HEARD ME CORRECTLY! COMPLAINING ABOUT YOUR LIVING CHILDREN ON A DAILY BASIS!

Try talking to your children instead of BEHIND their BACKS or screaming in their faces!  This could be WHY they do not TRUST YOU!!

“Your kids require you most of all to love them for who they are, not to spend your whole time trying to correct them.”
― Bill Ayers

I never [NEVER] spoke ILL OF MY JUSTIN [EVER]!!  This is NOT what loving parents do!  This is what immature people do and then the cycle begins and their children do this to their children and so on ans so on and so on!

Honestly, I cannot tolerate parents speaking ugly about their children!  Where exactly are these children supposed to find SUPPORT, ENCOURAGEMENT, COMPASSION, and UNDERSTANDING? 

Oh I am sure YOU ALL were the epitome of ANGELS when YOU were young...I am gong to go toss my cookies NOW!

Parents [and you know of whom I speak] GROW THE 'F' UP AND STOP ACTING SO SANCTIMONIOUSLY IGNORANT and PERFECT!

TRY TELLING YOUR CHILDREN THE TRUTH ABOUT YOUR CHILDHOOD, TEEN YEARS, YOUNG ADULT YEARS, ETC.  I DARE YOU!!  I TOLD JUSTIN EVERYTHING BECAUSE TRUTH IS CONSTANT!

I am Justin's [TELLING IT LIKE IT TRULY IS] momma

Ten Quotes on Compassion

 Compassion

com·pas·sion

kəmˈpaSHən/

noun

noun: compassion; plural noun: compassions

1. 1.

   sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others.

   "the victims should be treated with compassion"

   synonyms:

   pity, sympathy, empathy, fellow feeling, care, concern, solicitude, sensitivity, warmth, love, tenderness, mercy, leniency, tolerance, kindness, humanity, charity "have you no compassion for a fellow human being?"

   antonyms:

   indifference, cruelty

Origin

Middle English: via Old French from ecclesiastical Latin compassio(n-), from compati ‘suffer with.’

________________________________________________________________________________

QUOTES of Compassion

“The only way out of the labyrinth of suffering is to forgive.”
― John Green, Looking for Alaska

“Only the development of compassion and understanding for others can bring us the tranquility and happiness we all seek.”
― Dalai Lama XIV

 “No one has ever become poor by giving.”
― Anne Frank, diary of Anne Frank 

“I don't want to live in the kind of world where we don't look out for each other. Not just the people that are close to us, but anybody who needs a helping hand. I cant change the way anybody else thinks, or what they choose to do, but I can do my bit.”
― Charles de Lint

“How would your life be different if…You stopped making negative judgmental assumptions about people you encounter? Let today be the day…You look for the good in everyone you meet and respect their journey.”
― Steve Maraboli, Life, the Truth, and Being Free

“It is easy enough to be friendly to one's friends. But to befriend the one who regards himself as your enemy is the quintessence of true religion. The other is mere business.”
― Mahatma Gandhi 

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”
― Leo Buscaglia

“Courage. Kindness. Friendship. Character. These are the qualities that define us as human beings, and propel us, on occasion, to greatness.”
― R.J. Palacio, Wonder 

“One love, one heart, one destiny.”
  ― Bob Marley  


“Your kids require you most of all to love them for who they are, not to spend your whole time trying to correct them.”
― Bill Ayers 


I am Justin's momma

Meet MY SONS MURDERER

Yes, my son Justin Vance DeSha-Overcash was murdered by one Deandre Ricardo Williams, a Black man. I find this as surreal as I am certain my son, Justin, did on January 11, 2011.

This bizarrely tragic choice the MURDERER made will not change my feelings toward people. I have to say I am very angry [for the first time in my life] at Williams the MURDERER of my beautiful Justin. Believe me when I say the color of his skin has absolutely nothing to do with how I feel about this MURDERER; however, his decision to REFUSE to show REMORSE for the MURDER of my SON has everything to do with my ANGER toward him!

No one will ever make me dislike anyone; no one will ever talk me into disliking someone else.  I will never look at another humans skin color, religious beliefs, nationality, sexual orientation, 'in-general' opinions, political opinions, etc. and judge them.  Judgement is not my job; this is God's job.  If you do not believe in God then I am certain you can work out your own value system to treat everyone you encounter with respect and compassion.

Deandre Ricardo Williams 10/1987 Received 49 years for the First Degree MURDER of Justin V. DeSha-Overcash 05/01/1988 to 01/11/2011 as Justin attempted to protect two UMd fellow alumnus from Williams GUN.  WILLIAMS received additional sentence in the District of Columbia to be served after his sentence in MD for the ankle monitor he was wearing at the time he MURDERED Justin V. DeSha-Overcash for a Felony II Handgun Charge TWENTY TWO DAYS BEFORE MURDERING JUSTIN.  An entire life spent BEHIND BARS!

I believe Mr. King, Jr's. famous quote is correct; from what I have witnessed in my adult life. "....we will perish together as fools."

Justin's [I wish I could be with my son NOW] momma

Last Day Black History Month 2014

Celebrating Black History Month 

I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/martin_luther_king_jr.html#O4efiUPAF6xrxK5s.99

I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/martin_luther_king_jr.html#O4efiUPAF6xrxK5s.99

I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/martin_luther_king_jr.html#O4efiUPAF6xrxK5s.99

"We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools." Martin Luther King, Jr.
 

With the final day of Black History Month of 2014 upon us I would like to share a [Justin story from February 2003 in PA].  

Background~Natives of North Carolina we had relocated to PA due to Justin father's employment.  Justin had been in school in Salisbury, NC form 1st grade; the student body he was accustomed to was 65% Black and his coveted nickname was White Chocolate~he loved and was loved by everyone students and teachers alike.

Unami Middle School February 2003~ The school day at a close and I arrive to pick up Justin. As he walks toward the car I immediately note he's walking with [what I began to call] a 'heavy step'. Whenever I saw Justin walk like this I knew he was upset about something; I suppose you could say this was his 'tell sign' for me [his momma].

As he tossed in his book bag and then jumped into the passenger seat silently I knew whatever was weighing on Justin's mind must be heavy. Other than "hello" and "how was your day" we drove in silence all the way home. I never pushed Justin to talk; like me, he talked when he was ready.

When we arrived home Justin took his book bag to his room and I did not see him for about an hour. He came to the kitchen where I had begun to prepare dinner and ask if we could talk. We sat down at the table and what Justin said next may have surprised some but not me. "Momma, they're not doing anything at school for Black History Month. Can you call and ask them why?" After we talked at length Justin made it clear he was very moved and deeply upset by the ignoring of a topic he found interesting and important. The lack of any comments [AT ALL] about Black History Month and famous people in History by his 'new' PA middle school for Justin was unacceptable.

Phone call~
Me: Yes, may I please speak to the principal?
Secretary: May I tell him why you are calling?
Me: Yes, my son wants me to find out why your school is not celebrating Black History Month.
Secretary: DEAD SILENCE
Me: Hello?
Secretary: Um? Um? Excuse me! I'll be right back!
Secretary: Hello, the principal will take your call.
Principal: Hello Mrs. DeSha-Overcash?
Me: Yes, hello?
Principal:  There seems to be a misunderstanding?
Me: No, no misunderstanding. My son, Justin, wanted me to call and ask why Unami is not acknowledging Black History Month.
Principal: Did Justin mention we are doing Ellis Island day at the end of this month?
Me: [In my mind I thought WTF?] finally out-loud I managed to say, Um? I am pretty good in US History and I cannot recall many folks coming from the shores of Africa, in chains, and being thrown off on ELLIS ISLAND!
Principal: Well none of the other families are complaining.
Me: [AGAIN, In my mind WTF?] finally [again] out loud I managed to say, Sir there are 8 Black students and 900 + Caucasian students. I guess I can pretty much figure out why the EIGHT Black families WOULDN'T COMPLAIN! Is there no way to present Famous Black People in History in your school and curriculum? There is no possibility you could not make announcements over the school PA system each morning pursuant to the many accomplishments, researches, inventions, achievements, and all the many gifts given to our society by brilliant and talented people?
Principal: Well we wanted our son to go to a college with an ethnically diversified student body and in his wedding he had a Black groomsman.
Me: Shame on you! Shame on you! I cannot fathom you never had your son meet and know people of ethnicity until college!
Principal: Would you mind if I speak with Justin about this?
Me: No not at all; just keep in mind he is my son and our personalities are a lot alike.

Later that afternoon I pick Justin up; he gets in the car and I turn to look at him he looks at me. I say, "Well honey did the principal talk to you?" Justin, "Yes momma." Me, "How did it go?" Justin, "He kept talkin' about Ellis Island Day! [ME~AAAUUUGGGHHH!]  This is a principal; and educated man and yet he could not give Justin nor me ONE [NOT ONE] valid, rational, logical reason why during the entire month of February 2003 Black History Month was missing from their schools curriculum.  WORSE THAN SAD!

Justin added later: Momma when I went back to class one of my friends whispered, "Why were you called to the principals office?" Justin whispered back, "My momma is raising cane about nothing being done here about Black History Month." To which she burst into laughter!

I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/martin_luther_king_jr.html#dqk54re2fqzTrSZY.99

I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/martin_luther_king_jr.html#vW8cmFRQFdh6b15J.99

I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/martin_luther_king_jr.html#vW8cmFRQFdh6b15J.99
With the final day of Black History Month of 2014 upon us I would like to share a [Justin story from February 2003 in PA].

Unami Middle School February 2003~ The school day at a close and I arrive to pick up Justin. As he walks toward the car I immediately note he's walking with [what I began to call] a 'heavy step'. Whenever I saw Justin walk like this I knew he was upset about something; I suppose you could say this was his 'tell sign' for me [his momma].

As he tossed in his book bag and then jumped into the passenger seat silently I knew whatever was weighing on Justin's mind must be heavy to him. Other than "hello" and "how was your day" we drove in silence all the way home. I never pushed Justin to talk; like me, he talked when he was ready.

When we arrived home Justin took his book bag to his room and I did not see him for about an hour. He came to the kitchen where I had begun to prepare dinner and ask if we could talk. We sat down at the table and what Justin said next may have surprised some but not me. "Momma, they're not doing anything at school for Black History Month. Can you call and ask them why?" After we talked at length I knew Justin was very moved and upset deeply. The lack of any comments [AT ALL] about Black History Month and famous people in History by his 'new' PA middle school for Justin was unacceptable.

Phone call~
Me: Yes, may I please speak to the principal?
Secretary: Why?
Me: My son wants me to call and find out why your school is not celebrating Black History Month.
Secretary: DEAD SILENCE
Me: Hello?
Secretary: Um? Um? Excuse me! I'll be right back!
Secretary: Hello, the principal will take your call.
Principal: Hello Mrs. DeSha-Overcash?
Me: Yes, hello?
Principal: I understand that there seems to be a misunderstanding?
Me: No, no misunderstanding. My son, Justin, wanted me to call and ask why Unami is not acknowledging Black History Month.
Principal: Did Justin mention we are doing Ellis Island day at the end of this month?
Me: [In my mind I thought WTF?] finally out-loud I managed to say, Um? I am pretty good in US History and I cannot recall many folks coming from the shores of Africa, in chains, and being thrown off on ELLIS ISLAND!
Principal: Well none of the other families are complaining.
Me: [AGAIN, In my mind WTF?] finally [again] out loud I managed to say, Sir there are 8 Black students and 900 + Caucasian students. I guess I can pretty much figure out why the EIGHT Black families WOULDN'T COMPLAIN! Is there no way to present Famous Black People in History in your school and curriculum? There is no possibility you could not make announcements over the school PA system each morning pursuant to the many accomplishments, researches, inventions, achievements, and all the many gifts given to our society by brilliant and talented people?
Principal: Well we wanted our son to go to a college with a ethnically diversified student body and in his wedding he had a Black groomsman.
Me: Shame on you! Shame on you! I cannot fathom you never had your son meet and know people of ethnicity until college!
Principal: Would you mind if I speak with Justin about this?
Me: No not at all; just keep in mind he is my son and our personalities are a lot alike.

Later that afternoon I pick Justin up; he gets in the car and I turn to look at him he looks at me. I say, "Well honey did the principal talk to you?" Justin, "Yes momma." Me, "How did it go?" Justin, "He kept talkin' about Ellis Island Day! [ME~AAAUUUGGGHHH!]

Justin: "Momma when I went back to class one of my friends whispered."  "Why were you called to the principals office?" I whispered back, "My momma is raising cane about nothing being done here about Black History Month." Justin told me she burst into laughter~

This young lady was one of the eight Black students attending this middle school 

with Justin in PA!

******Will our world ever change?******

Will people ever stop fearing ignorance and what they do not understand?

We are all just people trying to maneuver through our lives just like everyone else; why is this so difficult for some to SEE?

Justin bottom row first on right [# 60] his nickname White Chocolate; he coveted his nickname and loved being called this by his brothers on and off the football field!

Honey you are [without a doubt one of a kind] and I will always [ALWAYS] be so proud of you and feel extremely blessed that God chose me to be your momma. I love and miss you Justin times INFINITY + ONE....your momma always....