My Truth: Reunions, voting, and Nolan

By: Cheryl Smith

While in Florida for the past week, I enjoyed Florida A&M University’s Homecoming on so many levels. 

When I wasn’t in deep discussions about “back in the day,” there were a two other issues that we talked about. 

At the top of the list, it was a toss-up between voting and Nolan Wells.

It seems like I wasn’t the only one hoping for some flips, especially in Florida, Georgia, and Texas. 

For those unaware, there’s an election on November 3 — the midterm elections— halfway through the second term of Donald Trump’s presidency. 

For some, two years until the end of another error is really too long a wait for an end to come to the constant drama we are experiencing.

Some key races could shift the power away from the top. 

With the right victories, a lot of the influence that is not only polarizing our country, but causing so much damage in terms of our mental well-being, will come to an end — if voters do the right thing.

If you haven’t already, go vote! Take a friend. Do the right thing for future generations.

That’s what folks I heard from were talking about.

Then there’s the death of Nolan Wells.  The young student-athlete joined “friends” for a “fun” time on a boat in Mississippi. He was later found “unalived” — which is the new buzzword for murdered or dead. 

Nolan’s parents want to know what happened to this young man. Guess what?

There have been numerous scenarios presented as to what happened and when, as well as how, and who is lying.

Sadly, Nolan is not the only victim, and Mississippi has a history of unaliving young Black boys and men.

People around the world want to know what happened to Nolan.   Students on campuses across the country are demanding justice. 

People are equally upset because of the treatment of Nolan’s mom, Christine.

That she has been vilified for asking for information about her son’s death is disgusting.  She has every right to have answers, and so do we.

So actually we can tie everything together. 

We gathered together as a family for our reunion, our homecoming, and we discussed voting because we know that if we vote for the right people, they will be in place to ensure that the legal arm works in the best interest of justice for all!