Sign In
Free Newsletter
Craig A. Thompson: Trayvon tragedy offers opportunity for change
The shooting of Trayvon Martin in Florida on Feb. 26 has captured the attention of countless people in the United States and abroad.
Some have even compared the galvanizing power of the incident to the brutal murder of Emmett Till, a 14-year-old African American youth killed by two men who accused him of flirting with a white woman.
Trayvon Martin was shot in the chest and killed by 28-year-old George Zimmerman while walking to the home of his father’s girlfriend from a convenience store. Zimmerman was enrolled in the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office citizens’ law-enforcement academy, and was working toward an associate degree at Seminole State College. He was serving as a captain for an unregistered community watch group at the time of the shooting.
The circumstances surrounding Martin’s death have received national and international attention. Marches in support of Trayvon have been organized across the country. In Baltimore, thousands gathered at City Hall to bring attention to the shooting, with a particular emphasis on Florida’s controversial Stand Your Ground law.
Numerous public and private leaders, including President Barack Obama, have weighed in on the shooting and asked for an investigation into the failure to arrest Zimmerman.
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi issued an official statement regarding the case, saying: “I am both devastated and deeply troubled that young Trayvon Martin lost his life in a shooting. When someone loses his life at the hands of another, there cannot be any questions surrounding the circumstances of the death … no stone will be left unturned in this investigation.”
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who signed the controversial legislation allowing a self-defense claim under the “stand your ground” theory, indicated that he does not believe that the statute should be applied in this case.
Three out of the five members of the Sanford city commission, including the mayor, passed a motion of no confidence in regard to the police chief and his handling of the case. One member of the council asked for the police chief to step down.
Professional athletes, including Baltimore’s Ray Lewis, have joined groups demanding justice for Trayvon’s family.
A painful, familiar pattern
Unfortunately, this tragic event follows a pattern known far too well by many in our society. Images of Amadou Diallo, Sean Bell, James Byrd, Abner Louima and others are recounted vividly when discussing the issues raised in the Martin shooting: racial profiling; excessive use of force; deadly stereotyping; incomplete or insensitive investigations.
What has failed to result from these incidents is a sustained, open and candid discussion surrounding these issues, and a push for stronger enforcement of laws protecting citizens.
The marches and protests related to the Martin shooting are an important first step to bringing awareness to the need for a thorough investigation and resolution in this matter. They are also an essential reminder of the importance of a multiracial, multi-ethnic, class-neutral attack on the country’s deepest and most pressing social issues.
Witnessing people of all ages, races, social classes and professions standing together in marches, posting Facebook pictures with hoodies and Skittles and claiming “I am Trayvon” demonstrates the potential for true change.
There are those who have used this tragedy to further their own political and economic interests. They should be ignored.
At the heart of this matter is the need for a collaborative effort to fix problems that can and must be fixed.
Answering future generations
Closer to home, attention should be paid to the lingering drug problem that plagues our communities. Neighborhood violence, poor schools and broken homes are fixable problems if we develop the “I am Trayvon” mentality and apply it to these issues.
Indeed, once we appreciate our personal connection to these challenges, our desire increases to make the effort to resolve them.
Hundreds of lives are lost each year in our streets, with mothers and fathers mourning and asking questions that no one should have to ask. Futures are wasted in classrooms every day with an impact on the economic and social stability of the state that is difficult to measure.
Inadequate healthcare coverage is causing many to forego both simple and major procedures, denying many the quality of life that so many take for granted.
A grand jury has been convened in the Trayvon Martin case and is scheduled to begin hearing evidence on April 10. Indeed, the world will be watching, and waiting to see what happens through that process, as well as the potential investigation at the federal level.
After that, future generations will be asking what we did with the information we gathered from that incident, and whether we squandered a real opportunity to deal with a number of significant issues that we continue to face.
Most important, those same generations will ask if the “I am Trayvon” mentality was sincere and compelled those who claimed it to act in a sustained and focused manner to make their reality better than what we face today.
Craig A. Thompson, who writes a monthly column for The Daily Record, is a partner at Venable LLP and represents clients in the areas of commercial litigation, products liability and personal injury. He is the chair of the firm’s diversity committee. He is also the host of a weekly two-way talk radio show and the author of a series of children’s books on African-American history. His e-mail address is CAThompson@Venable.com.
