On Feb. 26, 17-year-old Trayvon Martin stopped at the corner store in Sanford, Fla., and was shot and killed by a neighborhood watchman, George Zimmerman.Zimmerman, a white man, allegedly felt “threatened” by Martin, and after he was instructed by police to stop following the young man, he continued.Martin’s death has sparked controversy and has led to protests on his behalf.
There are a few things that bother me about this case. What crime did Martin commit by walking to the corner store?His skin color was not a crime, but apparently it was to Zimmerman. Just when we begin to think racism is not as bad as it used to be, things like this happen.
We’re told that it was self defense, but against who?
Why is Zimmerman still free? A young man is dead and it’s his fault. That’s all we need to know. This was someone’s son, brother, nephew, friend and an innocent human being, so why isn’t Zimmerman in handcuffs?
I’m angry and I’m disappointed that several weeks after his death, Sanford’s police department is wrestling with what to do with Martin’s killer. It’s simple. He needs to go to jail. There is no evidence that Martin was attacking or provoking anyone.
If this story was about a young white man who got killed by a black neighborhood watchman, he probably would have been in jail and sentenced in less than 24 hours. There would be no protests because society tells us that black people are always the criminals and never the victims.
After hearing the 911 call, it is clear that Zimmerman was looking for an excuse to kill a black person and unfortunately, it was Martin.Maybe life in prison for acting stupidly and maliciously will help Zimmerman understand that what he did will never be excusable.
Martin reportedly wanted to be a pilot, but will never get the chance to fulfill that dream.
The only positive thing that can come from this is the opportunity it presents for us to make a difference.I know this is the last thing people want to hear, however,we owe it to Martin. This is a trying time for his family and for the black community, but this is our time to stand up for him and all those who have been victims of racial profiling.
Martin did nothing wrong. As much as we would like to act out of anger, this moment calls for us to do something greater. Let’s continue to protest and let’s keep talking about it until Sanford’s authorities have no choice but to act.
We are greater than racism and despite what people like Zimmerman think, our diverse shades of black don’t constitute a crime.My heart truly goes out to Martin’s family and all those who knew him. We will fight until justice is served. Rest in sweet peace Mr. Trayvon Martin.