Tina

Submitted by Nicole (United States), Jul 21, 2006 at 01:01

I went to High School with Tina. She was older and a grade higher than me. But I remembered seeing her in the halls and she always looked so cheery and happy, even with the obvious bruises from nights of hell with her parents. I talked to her a few times. Sometimes at lunch and sometimes in passing in the bathroom. But she always stood out to me. An exotic beauty with sad eyes. I also remember the day that her death was announced on the intercom at school, and I remember the screaming of her friends as they realized that Tina was never coming back.

Almost 20 years later and I still remember it with a chill in my spine. I still remember the taping of her screams as she begged for mercy while her father plunged that knife into her over and over again.

I understand the concept of Honor Killings... that doesnt mean I like it. It doesnt mean that its right. But as sad as it is, her death woke me up to something so new to me. That parents can do something so horrific as to kill thier child just because she was dating a black man and wearing blue jeans. I read the book.. and had to put it down on several occasions because I was crying.

For that brief moment of knowing Tina, she influenced my views of the world.

And now, everytime her favorite song plays on the radio... I raise my glass in a toast, wishing her peace and harmony wherever she is.

Bless You, Tina..
Every Rose Has Its Thorn.

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