_Trayvon Martin; Justice for Him = Justice for Us...

When I saw the news about this young man two weeks ago, I was saddened. Only saddened, because it seems that young Black men are being slain left and right these days - and we begin to become desensitized. Then, I heard the entire story; how Trayvon was simply walking back from the store, buying a small snack for his little brother. How the Community Watchman followed him, despite police dispatch's orders to stand down. How the same man claimed "self defense," even though he could have kept a safe distance. Trayvon being unarmed didn't even phase me; Sean Bell reached for his wallet and was killed by police. It was the simple disregard for the law, the blatant urge for power by this man that really outraged me. Who the hell are you to take this young man's life? Looking suspicious and committing a crime are two different things, neither of which would have warranted shooting the boy. 

I became outraged when I reflected to about two years ago - when my little brother was walking from Subway to Burger King and then home one night. In my historically racist community, the police decided to "pull him over" and pat him down. Degrade him on a public street. Run his driver's license - even though he was walking. Walking. For a snack! I suppose it is suspicious to want a Subway sandwich and a Burger King dessert. No hoodie, just a t-shirt and jeans sitting nicely on his waist. My college educated, well-spoken, 20 (at the time) year-old, never arrested brother was pat down and released for crossing the street in his own neighborhood. Sounds so familiar...

I don't want to know what it feels like to get that phone call from the coroner's office. I never want to feel the pain of burying my little brother because of a senseless act. Or any act for that matter. How do we stop this from happening again? So many of us fight to break the stereotypes that surround our ethnicities; we go to college, work, take care of our appearance, behave accordingly. What more are we supposed to do? Trayvon wanted to work in aviation. At 17 years old, he had a plan for his life. He saved his father from a burning house at the age of nine; this boy was destined for greatness. Now he's gone, while so many real criminals roam the streets. Criminals like George Zimmerman, who shot young Trayvon without justification. He is on the loose, despite being a murder suspect who clearly has a mental issue. How can we not live in fear? Will my 11 year-old sister be next, while walking from the park? She likes to play basketball, wants to be a doctor - takes care of our little siblings. Does she deserve to die for wearing a hoodie at night? 




Whatever happened to being able to play until the street lights come on? Mom sending us to the store for butter and milk? Big brother/sister walking us to the park to play, spending the whole day walking the town with our friends? Do those luxuries exist anymore? Can we be guaranteed our safety? It's no longer the kidnappers and rapists we must fear, it's the "Citizen Police" who take their self-appointed jobs too seriously. How do we govern our lives when we can be picked off like flies? 


When you find the answer, please tell me - before it's too late.


Rest In Peace Trayvon. May your death save the life of another youth like you...


Sign the petition for an FBI investigation and criminal prosecution into Trayvon Martin's murder Here.