Remembering Dea-John Reid

“Love is not passive acceptance of the world as it is; it is the courage to help shape it into what it could be.”

This year, Dea John would have been 19 years young, a life tragically lost five years ago to violence and injustice.

On behalf of BRIG, I had the honour of attending the memorial service for Dea John, held on the fifth anniversary of his tragic death. Family, friends, community leaders, and supporters gathered to honour his life.

It was during my time at West Midlands Police that I received the chilling details of his tragic murder. My immediate thoughts went to his last moments as a young boy, hoping someone was holding him tenderly and dearly as he made his journey to Heaven. Then, to his mother, it must be the hardest thing in the world to witness your child’s first and last breath.

Then my thoughts went to my boys, hoping they were safe. They too are young men of colour and, just like most young people, susceptible to being in the right place at the wrong time.

Dea John’s Pastor, who christened him and buried him, spoke at the memorial today about the deep scar he carries. He profoundly talked about all children being our gifts, whom we must value and protect.

In Dea John’s memory today, he continues to inspire us with a commitment to courage, justice, and hope, even in the face of heartbreak.

As the fight for justice and equality has echoed even louder over the last five years, we must continue to be courageous. We must speak up and stand alongside one another to create a world where every young person is seen and safe.

May Dea John’s legacy continue to move us from grief to action, and challenge us not only to remember what was lost, but to fight for a flourishing future that every young person deserves.