Travis Davis was an 18 year old kid who did not deserve to be shot dead. Travis did not partake in criminal activity and he was involved in sports and school. His life ended when he was shot to death by a 17 year old kid. The following was sent to me by one of Travis’ friends who wrote this beautiful letter. I could not have said these things any better myself….
From Death to Inspiration: A High School Football Star
In Memory of Travis Davis (1988-2006)
What is the value of a life? In a world where violence dominates the news and kindness is a commodity, one has to wonder. Though death is a natural part of life, it is not this natural. Every day we are losing young men and women to ridiculous and petty acts of crime. From murder, to homicide, to suicide, if we don’t fix this problem, then the youth of today will fail to be the future of tomorrow. Life is the most precious gift that each of us is privileged to receive, yet we take it for granted each and every day.
I’m finished with all of that. Today, I received news that a great friend, Travis Davis, was gunned down and murdered last night. This news brought waves of emotion that I was not prepared to deal with. My mind has wandered all day from his family, to his girlfriend, to his murderer, and mostly to his last moments here on earth. What was he thinking? What did he say? As hard as I try, I cannot shut out the image of his lifeless face being enclosed by a black body bag when he was declared dead. As harsh as this may sound, it is but the gruesome reality of the world we live in.
Upon reading Travis’ story, someone who did not know him would have thought he was into bad things like gangs, and drugs or that he associated himself with the wrong crowd. For Travis, this was not the case. He fought his way to the top earning straight A’s, becoming a star football player, and an all-state wrestler. Travis was excited to go to college and make something of himself to help his mother escape the world he grew up in. Travis worked against the odds to make something of his life…until it was taken away.
In an instant, all he had worked for was consumed by death and grief. Whomever took his life had the audacity to think that he/she could kill another human being. This anonymous killer has affected us all. He has taken away a part of our lives, of our hearts, and of our community. He has taken away not just Travis’ life, but also his dreams, goals, and aspirations. Travis was on this earth for a reason and if we are to prevent his death from happening in vain, then we must all learn from it. We must take his death and use it to prevent the deaths of countless other youth who see life as meaningless and unimportant. Travis turned his life around before he became an angel and now it is our responsibility to do the same.
We must step back and take a look at the way we live, because as it is now, we are bound for self-destruction. We must get rid of the hate and crime that is infiltrating every vein of society and replace it with forgiveness and peace. We must stop this violence that has ripped apart friendships, families, and lives. We must stand together against crime, jealousy, ignorance, and destruction. Only as one can we pull out of this violent trend and create one of happiness.
Travis was not given the chance to complete his senior year of high school much less go on to college, or even get married and have kids. Someone whose pride stood in the way of morals and good judgment took away this chance. But we still have it…for now. We must take this opportunity of life and live it for all its worth. We must pursue all of our goals and dreams and let nothing stand in the way. We must put aside anger and place forgiveness in the forefront of our ideologies. We must make the death of Travis Davis mean something in the face of someone who thought his life meant nothing.
In a split second my life was changed. I value each second that I am able to go on in this world and yet I also have become conscious of the ruthless reality of society. Because of Travis’ death, I am taking a stand today and for the rest of my life against the petty violence to which he fell victim. I refuse to let his death go unnoticed or his life go unappreciated. I can only hope that all of the Harding University High and Charlotte communities will do the same in honoring the life of a great young man.
Rest In Peace Travis
Class of 2007…We Continue On In Your Memory
Jessica Gulledge – Senior at Harding University High School
