 The shot rang out that said stop the violence. Domestic abuse, sanctioned by the state and more liaised by the church, cast the first stone if you're not complicit in this crime. See, I know I'm Rico Gray. I learned it from my dad. I watched my mom suffer a similar form of abuse, but more subtle. She internalized this gay-built victimhood that Jesus came to end so she never shot back, not even a glance that would offend. We're afraid of black women standing their ground. We'd rather lock them up and treat them like dogs than a pound. But if normal story never ends, a new one can't begin. So I stand behind Marissa because I need to know why the cage bird sings.