The Eloquence of Asha Deliverance

by Pa Rock
Citizen Journalist

Earlier this morning I posted a piece on this blog recognizing the eloquent open letter that journalist Dan Rather wrote to Donald Trump regarding the murders of two heroes (and the wounding of a third) on a Portland, Oregon, commuter train.  A few hours later I came across another open letter to Trump on the same subject, this one written by Asha Deliverance, the mother of one of the murder victims - twenty-three-year-old Taliesin Myrddin Namkai Meche

The words of Asha Deliverance are also eloquent and in need of repeating.  This lady has suffered horrendous loss at the hands of a madman, yet she stands strong as a symbol of love and compassion.  We can all learn much from her.

Here is what Asha Deliverance wrote to Donald Trump:

May 29, 2017
Memorial Day

Dear President Trump,

I’m writing to you today, Memorial Day, to share my heart after losing my son.

Taliesin died a hero, like many other Americans who have died defending freedom. He was just 23, a year out of college with a degree in economics, working, had just bought his first home and was thinking about starting a family. Our family grieves, but we are proud that through his selfless action he, along with the other two men, has changed the world, when in the face of hate he did not hesitate to act with love.

Two precious lives were lost this Memorial Day weekend in Portland and one more, nearly so. All three were strangers to each other, and to those they were defending. They fearlessly risked their lives for two young women who were threatened by an act of bigotry & terror. These brave men saw the immediate injustice and didn’t hesitate to act. They recognized the truth: we are more alike than we are different. To ride the train home without being assaulted because of the color of your skin or your religious beliefs, is an inalienable right.

You have said that you will be President for all Americans. So, I ask you Mr. President to take action at this time. Your words and actions are meaningful, here in America and throughout the world.

Please encourage all Americans to protect and watch out for one another. Please condemn any acts of violence, which result directly from hate speech & hate groups. I am praying you will use your leadership to do so.

It would deeply honor Taliesin’s sacrifice, which has been amplified by the millions of voices who have supported our family in response to this tragedy.

With Peace In My Heart,
Asha Deliverance