When I came into work this morning I was given the grievous news that my friend and co-worker had been senselessly murdered over the weekend. It’s a time like right now that I would even support the death penalty.
This is the kind of shit that you almost expect to happen to Black men when we are in our teens and early twenties. For this to happen to a thirty-eight years young father of two it seems more cruel than anything else. Why now GOD? His daughters are still so young. He was still so young.
The crime as it has been reported smacks of privilege and cowardice. When four men were turned away from a Pelham Bay Park watering hole they drove past the bar and opened fire. Two of the several bullets fired found RAY. He would never have the chance to kiss his daughters’ rosy cheeks again. He would never again have the chance to tell his wife of over ten years that he loved her smile.
I hurt inside because I knew RAY well from working with him and playing softball alongside him. RAY was a survivor in every sense of the word and the kind of father that I wish I were. RAY had served in the military and was a vet of the first Gulf War. He came back home to New York City and got a job while attending college at night. RAY achieved his dream of earning an Associates degree in Business Administration.
He then started his career in civil service with the NYC Parks Dept. He transferred from Parks to the agency I worked at. Being one of the handful of Black faces I made sure that I introduced myself to him. At over six and a half feet RAY was accustomed to people being intimidated to talk to him. I recognize what supremacy does to even the most robust and upright Black males, and I was impressed that RAY was neither apologetic or passive regarding his Blackness. Not that you have to wear a dashiki or anything like that, but he stood upright and unbowed inside an office environment filled with people that hold engineering and architectural degrees. RAY understood that we all breathed the same oxygen.
RAY was a big help for me too since I felt a kind of way about being in this place and yet not holding a college degree myself, or even a high school diploma for that matter. He reminded me that I was hired not despite, or as an apology for anything that I may, or may not have done in the past. I was hired to get a job completed, and I was the best person to do it. RAY was a no days off type brother. I suppose that mentality comes from being a responsible father. I will miss him for his example of manhood, fatherhood and brotherhood.
So where are these coward gumnen? I imagine that they are the children of police officers or firemen. The press has been loathe to release the identities of these gunmen. The bar was located in the Pelham Bay neighborhood of the Bronx. It is a mostly Irish/Italian neighborhood of semi-detached two-family residences. Because of the neighborhood’s relative seclusion it has long been a haven for NYC police officers and firemen who wanted to retain a New York City address, yet still escape from the everyday madness of their day jobs.
It will be a long, difficult road to find justice in this case, but for the memory of my friend RAY BARNETT I will do everything I can to see it through. Please come with me along this journey to justice. Let’s see which politicians and community leaders in this city will walk what they talk about.
R.I.P. RAY BARNETT
RIP to Mr. Barnett and my prayers go out to his family and friends. What a tragedy.
Rest In Peace to your man D. Sad thing to hear stuff like that and I can relate as someone who used to earn extra cake bouncing at bars and clubs. Shame that a dude just doing his job gets cut down due to some ignoratti who hadn’t realized they messed up already earlier that night. Damn shame.
awful.
too many innocent people are dying to guns. I’ve especially noticed things hitting close to home lately. very sad.
I am very sorry for your loss.
Daimon
That’s fucked up man. R.I.P
Son, I just did a joint on my man getting blasted. He lived, but it made me realize that the age range goes beyond 26. We all still in the mix.
maddness. may he rest in peace
he lives on through you and all the lives he impacted. justice shall be served.
My condolences bruh..he would be proud of this post.
Stay up
Fuck.
Great tribute.
Great post on an awful tragedy.
RIP.
Dallas,
I’m sorry to hear about you loss. What a tragic waste of life.
Peace,
Dan
As a father of a little girl myself to hear something like that breaks my heart because of his daughters have had their father senselessly taken from them. My condolences go out to his family and they will be in my prayers.
RIP Ray Barnett
That was senseless. A wife and two kids…
I didn’t know the guy but your words made me feel as though I did.
“RAY was a no days off type brother. I suppose that mentality comes from being a responsible father. I will miss him for his example of manhood, fatherhood and brotherhood.”
R.I.P. Ray Barnett
my heart goes out to your man and his family.
Also to you DP – there’s nothing worse.
This type of stuff seems to be happening more and more. It’s like people have lost all respect for life. My condolences go out to you and the Barnett family. Stay strong and stay positive. Peace.
Hold ya head Dallas.
The sun shines after the storm. Believe that.
The people we lose through out this journey of life, live on in our memories.
*shouts back to my extended internets family*
This shit is gonna be harder than I thought. The precinct was like “no info unless you are the direct family”
The Community Board has a meeting scheduled for November 15th that may, or may not be attended by the local precinct captain.
I need to find out some info now. I remember reading about a website that lists all the surveillance cameras posted around the city. Anyone have that link?
I found one but only for Manhattan — and it’s probably out of date already. Either way, the New York Civil Liberties Union seems to be the likeliest place to start. http://www.nyclu.org, 212-607-3300, 125 Broad Street.
Dam dawg RIP. Foolish actions, life snatched, lives forever changed. God Bless.
i don’t know what to say. i am so sorry.
Damn Dallas. Sorry to read of your loss. Sorry that this kind of senseless killing is all to common in this country.
It’s a damn shame anytime a young brother doing the right thing loses his life, especially if he had seeds he was raising. Rest in eternal peace, Ray Barnett.
One.
I am so at a loss for words. This is sad. My heart truly goes out to his family and to you too D.
He had/has a beautiful family.
It’s gonna be hard, but please keep yourself lifted.
I feel your pain because I too had the pleasure of knowing Ray. He was a wonderful person with a smile that would light up any room. He will be greatly missed by us all.
R.I.P. Ray “Cuco” Barnett
This is terrible and senseless. I’d like to see pics of the cowards. Sadly, stories like this happens in cities everyday. Just cuz you can’t get in, you’re gonna shoot up a building? Ignorant.
Dallas I am sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. I feel really sorry for his family as well. I am sure a lot of people can relate to losing someone to a senseless act of violence. It is even more difficult to bear and I know first hand, when they do not find the killer or the punishment does not fit the crime or there is no punishment at all. I will definitely keep you and your quest for justice in my prayers.
My condolences bro.
This is infuriating and sad. Too many of our children have fathers who have chosen to walk away from them. This man chose to stay, and was snatched away from his children. My prayers go out to his wife and his little girls.
The idiots who did this deserve to die.
Very cool that he has people loyal enough to honor him at the time of his passing. If only we could be so lucky…
R.I.P.
What no Billy Ocean/Walkman Jokes? No graphic Pictures for us?
RIP to the brother and may God keep his family strong!
THEY TOOK A HARD WORKING, CARING FATHER AND HUSBAND AWAY FROM US NO ONE CAN IMAGINE HOW HIS DAUGHTERS FEEL EVERY MORNING EVERY NIGHT TO LOOK FOR THAT KISS GOOD NIGHT GOOD MORNING FOR THE ASS WIPES WHO TOOK AN INNOCENT LIFE GOD DONT LIKE UGLY I HOPE THAT YOUR CONSCIOUSNESS EATS U ALIVE!!!!!
MY GIRLS AND I ARE STRONG WE LIVE ON THUR HIM AS LONG AS WE KNOW OUR GENTLE GIANT IS WITH US WE HAVE NO WORRYS!!!
WE LUV U ALWAYS AND FOREVER
YOUR LOVING FAMILY
THE BARNETTS
R.I.P to Ray….Edyie I send my blessings to you and the girls…..those ass holes are gonna feel it Edyie believe that…..all bull shit aside I got you girl…you and the lil ladies…it wasn’t just for the moment of sadness it’s forever….you need me call me….to cry to laugh to BS whatever…Tesa is here girl…..fuck what you heard… I am here….REAL TALK……luv you girl be strong…..