El amor no duele: Justicia para Mayra Ramírez Ávila

“Mi hija se iba de graduar y estaba planeando el celebrar el primer año de mi nieto.” - Karla Ávila Rivera, La madre de Mayra.

El universo me ha recordado a menudo que la vida no es un cuento de hadas. Cuando los puñetazos de la realidad golpean, es como si estuvieras en el medio del ring en el combate de Pacquiao contra Mayweather en 2015, sólo que no están golpeando entre sí; tu eres el objetivo. El año pasado terminó con una enorme pena después de perder a mi tía y a mi tío también durante las vacaciones. Los dos fallecieron debido a circunstancias no relacionadas, no violentas, y tenían alrededor sesenta años más o menos cuando murieron. Curiosamente, el fin de semana pasado, la muerte de una desconocida cercana me ha golpeado de una manera inimaginable.

     El 12 de enero de 2019, a Mayra Ramírez Ávila, de 17 años, se le retiró el soporte vital en el Hospital Infantil Levine en Charlotte, Carolina del Norte. La decisión fue tomada por los doctores cuando ella se le pronosticó con muerte cerebral tras solamente 5 días de ser observada y sostenida. Su novio (el padre de su hijo de 8 meses) la abandonó en la hospital cuando surgieron sospechas sobre su coma debido a las inconsistencias en su historia. La policía está tratando esto como un caso de violencia doméstica, sin embargo está buscando evidencia más concreta antes de que pueden detenerlo. Karla Ávila Rivera de queda confundida y con corazón destrozado. “La policía no ha hecho nada. El sigue libre y dice que no tiene nada de ocultar. Es como demasiado descaro. No sé por qué la mató,” Karla me expreso mientras contó las detalles de la investigación. Según múltiples fuentes, esto no era la primera vez que él le pegó a Mayra. Él tiene también un registro de arrestos que muestra una historia de delitos violentas, incluso un caso en lo que ambos Mayra y él habían sido arrestado por pelear en mayo de 2017. Actualmente, él se busca la custodia plena de su hijo, y la familia de Mayra tiene todos intenciones de luchar por la tutela legal.

Después de hablar con la madre de Mayra, yo sentí inclinada a poner en marcha un recaudador de fondos para ayudar con el cuidado del hijo infantil de Mayra. En este momento estoy solicitando donaciones en especie, como tarjetas de regalo, pañales, toallitas, alimentos para bebés y fórmulas, fondos de transporte (es decir, tarjetas de gasolina), ropa, juguetes, así como donaciones monetarias para ayudar a la familia a proporcionar el bebé de Mayra con todo lo que necesitará. Como producto de la tragedia, habiendo perdido a ambos mi madre y a mi padre a una edad muy temprano, sólo puedo imaginar dónde mi vida sería mi vida si no hubiera personas que pudieran intervenir y cuidarme. Recuerdo momentos en que mis parientes tuvieron que recurrir a medidas ilegales para asegurarme de que tenía todo lo que necesitaba, hurtando cosas tan simples como alimentos o productos femeninos para el mes, porque LITERALMENTE no había otra forma de adquirirlos.

Quiero contar con la ayuda de nuestra comunidad interconectada de Charlotte, así como en cualquier otro lugar al que pueda llegar este mensaje, para asegurarse de que el hijo de Mayra tenga todo lo que necesita para la vida diaria y la estabilidad. Su familia ha sido golpeada con circunstancias muy desafortunadas, y verdaderamente podrían usar una mano amiga durante este tiempo duro.

Cualquiera persona interesada en proporcionar donaciones en especie para apoyar al hijo de Mayra debe ponerse en contacto con la madre de Mayra o conmigo directamente a través del enlace de contacto. Por favor incluya detalles sobre qué tipo de donación puede dar. Para evitar el intercambio de direcciones y otra información personal, se les proveerá a los partidarios con un apartado de direcciones a que pueden enviar donaciones.

También hay una recaudación de fondos separada (Go Fund Me), que fue iniciada por la familia de Mayra para ayudar con sus gastos funerarios. La familia sigue siendo golpeada por los cargos asociados con la investigación y las tarifas hospitalarias, entonces realmente podrían usar la ayuda de la comunidad para hacer que Mayra descanse con un entierro adecuado. Imploro a cualquiera que pueda donar para ayudar a la familia mientras se preparan para descansar a su angelito. Amigos y familiares planean unirse para una vigilia con velas el 20 de enero. Los detalles para la vigilia se pueden encontrar a continuación. Los amigos cercanos de la fallecida están animando a todos en la comunidad a asistir para mostrar sus respetos. Permanezca en unidad con sus seres queridos para exigir #JusticeForMayra, incluso si no la conoces personalmente.

Únase a este movimiento mientras nos juntarnos para combatir la epidemia de violencia doméstica que se ha extendido como un fuego salvaje y ha comenzado a reclamar las vidas de nuestros jóvenes. Más de la mitad de las mujeres que son víctimas de homicidios fueron asesinadas por su pareja. Eso debe terminar; el primer paso es responsabilizar a los culpables y llevarlos ante la justicia.

#Justicia4Mayra #EndDomesticViolence

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*Habrá una vigila con velas para Mayra Ramírez. Por favor vengan todos para demostrar apoyo para la familia y amigas de nuestra angelita.

Cuando: El Domingo, 20 de enero 7:30pm-9:00pm Ubicación: 1900 East Boulevard Charlotte, 28203

Love Doesn't Hurt: Justice for Mayra Ramírez Ávila

“My daughter was going to graduate, and she was planning to celebrate my grandson’s first birthday.” - Myra’s Mother, Karla Ávila Rivera 

     I have often been reminded by the universe that life is not a fairy tale. When the blows of reality strike, it’s as if you’re standing in the middle of the ring at the 2015 Mayweather vs. Pacquiao fight, only they’re not hitting one another; you’re the target. Last year ended with major heartache after losing my aunt and also my uncle around the holidays. They both passed away due to unrelated, nonviolent circumstances and were in their sixties or so when they died. Ironically, this past weekend the death of a near stranger has struck me in an unimaginable way. 

     On January 12th, 2019, 17 year old Mayra Ramírez Ávila was taken off of life support at the Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte,NC. The decision was made by the doctors when she was presumed brain dead after only 5 days of being monitored and supported. Her boyfriend (father of her 8 month old son) Gerardo Gutiérrez, left her at the hospital when suspicions surrounding her coma were raised due to inconsistencies in his story. The police are dealing with this as a case of domestic violence, however they’re in search of more solid evidence before they can arrest Gerardo. Karla Ávila Rivera is left heartbroken and confused about the circumstances surrounding the case. “The police haven't done anything. He's still free and he says he has nothing to hide. He's got some nerve! I just don't understand why he killed her.”, Karla expressed to me as she recounted the details of the investigation. According to multiple sources, this was not the first time he had beat Mayra. He also has an arrest record that shows a history of violent offenses, including another case where he and Mayra had both been arrested for fighting one another back in May 2017. He is currently seeking full parental custody of their son, and Mayra’s family has all intentions of battling him for legal guardianship. 

     After speaking with Mayra’s mother, I felt inclined to kickstart a fundraiser to help with the care of Mayra’s infant son. I am currently seeking in-kind donations, such as gift cards, diapers, wipes, infant foods and formula, transportation funding (i.e. gas cards), clothing, toys, as well as monetary donations to help in supporting the family to provide Mayra’s baby boy with all the things he will need. As a product of tragedy, having lost both my mother and father at a very young age, I can only imagine where my life would be if there hadn’t been people around to step in and care for me. I even recall times when relatives had to resort to illegal measures to make sure that I had everything I needed, stealing things as simple as food or feminine products for the month, because there was LITERALLY no other way to get it. I want to enlist the help of our interconnected Charlotte community, as well as anywhere else this message may reach, to make certain that Mayra’s son has everything he needs for daily living and stability. Their family has been hit with very unfortunate circumstances, and they could really use a hand during this difficult time. 

Anyone interested in providing in-kind donations to support Mayra’s son should get in touch with me directly using the contact link. Please include details regarding what type of donation you are able to give. To avoid the exchange of addresses and other personal information, supporters will be provided with a P.O. Box to send in donations. 

There is also a separate fundraiser (Go Fund Me), which was initiated by Mayra’s family to help with her funeral expenses. The family is continuing to get hit by charges associated with the investigation and hospital fees, so they could really use the help of the community to lay Mayra to rest with a proper burial. I implore anyone who is able to please donate to help the family as they prepare to lay their little angel to rest. Friends and relatives are planning to unite for a candlelight vigil on January 20th. Details for the vigil can be found below. Close friends of the deceased are encouraging everyone in the community to show up to pay their respects. Stand in unity with her loved ones to demand #JusticeForMayra, even if you didn’t know her personally. 

Join this movement as we band together to fight the epidemic of domestic violence that has spread like wildfire and has began to claim the lives of our youth. More than half of women who are homicide victims were killed by their significant others. This his to stop; the first step is to hold the culprits accountable and bring them to justice. 

#Justice4Mayra #EndDomesticViolence

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* There will be a candle vigil for Mayra Ramírez. Please come all to show support for the family and friends of our little angel.

When: Sunday, January 20

7:30 pm-9:00pm

Location: 1900 East Boulevard

Charlotte, 28203

Nothing Comes to a Sleeper but a Dream

Charlotte Seen's Passport to Fashion Spring 2013

"I took a dream that I had since I was a kid and turned it into my reality in a very conscious way."

A recurring conversation that I have with people is the one about how I got my foot in the door of the modeling and fashion world. Whenever people ask me this, my answer is always the same. I just did it. I took a dream that I had since I was a kid and turned it into my reality in a very conscious way.

Growing up I always knew I wanted to be in fashion, but I didn’t know how to break through. It seemed only but a dream; something I saw on TV and in magazines but also something that I, an average girl from a low-income family in the hood, wasn’t able to do. Like so many other young girls, I sought refuge in watching Tyra and her team on weekly episodes of America’s Next Top Model, meticulously studying every aspect of their instructions, criticisms, and feedback. The way I doodled wardrobe designs in class on the regular you would think that I was getting paid for the products I had created. I was always playing in make up, doing someone’s hair or my own, and trying to practice “my walk” in front of family and friends at every function. Sometimes I would randomly change clothes in the middle of an event and people would be so confused asking me “Weren’t you just wearing a pink top? Where’d this blue dress come from?” Nevertheless, I digress. When I became of age to travel and work at my own discretion, I began to pound the pavement. I was tired of dreaming, I wanted to be doing.

My first photo shoot was senior year of high school. I was 17 years old when I met up with a friend of mine (the friend turns out to be my husband now, but that’s a story for another day), and we just took photos with his camera. It was a professional DSLR camera, so we had produced some pretty good shots for newbies. I did my own hair and make up, wore an outfit that I had at home paired in a never before seen way, and the entire shoot was completely free. Once I graduated, I moved to Charlotte, NC and began to put the knowledge I had from watching so many ANTM episodes to good use. I started doing research on local events and professionals in the area, including hair stylists, make up artists, photographers, designers, wardrobe stylists, other models, YOU NAME IT! I put myself in contact with everyone who was involved in the industry by emailing, attending events, and coordinating projects for myself and others. I wrote letters accompanied by photos marketing myself as a new face model and awaited replies. From there, I began attending model calls for local fashion events in my community and on the campus of my university. I started working with local freelance photographers and other creatives and the rest was really history.

"I put an end to all the sleeping and dreaming, and I began living, doing what I always wanted to do."

From my first shoot with @CapturedByAmir*, to my first time in a professional photography studio with @EyeOfRay*. From traveling back and forth to Atlanta to model for the Bronner Brother’s Hair Show, to gracing the windows of hair braiding salons and appearing on city bus advertisements with the help of Kristy Beke and @ImageByBignons*. E.N.C.O.R.E. modeling troupe fashion shows in high school led to runways shows along the southeastern coast. I put an end to all the sleeping and dreaming, and I began living, doing what I always wanted to do.

My first cover shot, photographed by Torrance Patrick.

What’s my advice to you? Those of you who ask me how you can get your foot in the door and break through into the modeling industry (or other industries as well for that matter)?

Set clear and distinct goals for yourself. Are you expecting to work locally or travel? Or both? Do you want to brand yourself in a specific area (print, runway, film, commercials)? Are you looking to make a lot of money and be big and famous, or are you more interested in the experience and exposure to the field? Know exactly what you want for yourself so that you can seek out opportunities aligning with your desires.

Take initiative and be genuine in your interest. Passive engagement won’t do it, you’ve got to be all in! Research professionals, practice your craft, seek out events and networking opportunities, just dive completely into it in every way that you can, if this is what you truly want to do.

Build a network of connections and supporters in the field. Once you make the connections, it’s important to maintain them. Show up for others and give mutual support to aspiring professionals. If you know someone with a skill, and you hear someone else is in need of their talents, make the referral. Reach out to the people you meet after you’ve parted ways. Stay connected, involved and most importantly, don’t fall off the face of the earth!

Don’t be discouraged by the fails. You won’t always get a reply to your emails or direct messages. People won’t always be available or interested in collaborating with you. That’s okay! Rejection is inevitable, especially in an industry so selective and constantly changing. You’ve got to have tough skin! For ever person who declines your interest to work together, there’s another somewhere else out there just waiting for you to ask!

Stay in the know of trends and new innovations within your industry. Just as you were when you began the novice stage of your career (or hobby), continue researching, learning, and perfecting your craft every day. If you don’t stay aware, there’s a great chance you’ll get rusty. But if you do, I’m sure you’ll find some benefit in remaining knowledgeable about the craft you love.

I hope this helps to inspire at least one of you to go after your dreams, whatever they may be! With modeling, among other things, I proved to myself that I can do literally whatever I put my mind to and go as big as I want. Reality can be molded with conscious effort and hard work, but nothing comes to a sleeper but a dream.

Happy New Year!

This is an example of my own vision coming to life when I scouted the photographer, make up artist, designer, wardrobe stylist for accessories, and did the creative directing for this shoot. This was a trade shoot, meaning that we all traded our services to share this amazing product for promotional use.

With love,

Tenacious T

*Instagram usernames