By Cheryl Mattox Berry
Supporters of Trayvon Martin are saddened, confused and angry about the not guilty verdict for gunman George Zimmerman. Words can’t describe the pain that his family must feel knowing that Zimmerman won’t spend a night in prison for causing Trayvon’s senseless death in Sanford, Fla., last year.
While demonstrators rally, legal experts analyze, politicians defend or condemn the Stand Your Ground law and mothers worry about their sons, there are several takeaways from this tragedy:
Truth. A fact is a thing or evidence that is indisputable. However, everyone sees and uses facts differently. You don’t know what or who influences another person’s truth. Some people couldn’t handle the truth if their life depended on it. Be prepared for people to challenge your truth.
Be afraid. If you’re black or Hispanic, wake up! You’ll be profiled while walking, shopping, driving and wearing a hoodie. Don’t be lulled into thinking that you’re exempt from becoming a victim because you attend a good school, live in a nice neighborhood or have white friends. If you’re a person of color, you have a target on your back. Don’t be paralyzed by fear, but be aware that racism exists.
Be hopeful. People of all races and ethnic groups have rallied on behalf of Trayvon just as they did for the civil rights movement back in the day. Let the dialogue begin on how we can work together to improve the lives of all people in this country.
Get involved. Until this case, most teens had no interest in social justice. Consider yourself vested in the cause now. Don’t become apathetic because of the trial’s outcome; be a catalyst for change. It’s important to get an education, vote and run for political office. That is the only way you’re going to fix what is broken – the legal, judicial and educational systems, to name a few – in this country.
Pray. Prayer changes people, and prayer can change things.
As a teenager, I recall hearing the ladies in my church say that trial and adversity make you stronger whenever something bad happened to a member of our congregation. That didn’t make sense to me back then, but it does now. Trayvon’s death will not be in vain. Let him be the martyr who inspires you to make a difference.