On March 12, 2018 an unmarked package was left on the doorstep of a family in East Austin, Texas. 17-year-old Draylen William Mason, a talented musician and leader in his high school community, reached it first and brought it into the kitchen. With his mother nearby, it detonated, killing him and wounding her.
Because Draylen’s life is well documented in pictures, videos and testimony of family, friends and teachers… because Draylen’s peaceful life of encouragement, music and enrichment should be an inspiration to all of us… this page will serve as a tribute with related links and pictures. Please feel free to add material in the comments.
Friends’ and teachers’ tributes via Spectrum News
KXAN – Talented Musician Heading to UT Murdered in Bomb Attack
What we lost when we lost Draylen
Draylen Mason Minority Travel Fund at Oberlin
Draylen Mason won essay contest in 2013 with piece on racial profiling
Draylen performs the Vanhal Bass Concerto
NPR – Conditt’s Motives Unclear
Support the Hispanic Alliance Draylen Mason Fellows Program
Round Rock Students Make 1000 Cranes for Draylen
Kira Thurman essay: Singing Against the Grain: Playing Beethoven in the #BlackLivesMatter era
KVUE News coverage of Dray Day proclamation and tribute concert
Draylen Mason’s best friend says friend’s death in bombing still hurts
Draylen Mason Fellows of Austin Soundwaves.
May the spirit of Draylen Mason make us all warriors for peace.
Download our inaugural Draylen Mason Tribute Concert program.
Our last Draylen Mason Tribute was Sunday, May 5, 2019 2pm-3:30 at Detroit Public Library.
Contact us (info (at) cuttime.com) if you’d like to help, host or contribute.
Also please support the Draylen Mason Fellows of Austin Soundwaves.