I am Trayvon Martin

Over the past few weeks, the story of unarmed teen Trayvon Martin in Florida, has become impossible to ignore. I read about the story shortly after it occurred on a number of Black websites and blogs. Thanks mainly to them and radio programs across the country, the story is now front page news.

Now that it is, people are talking. And writing. And protesting.

Toure wrote in Time about the "talk" many Black boys get. Some commenters felt the article was racist.

Ha. When my father gave my brother a variation of it back in the 90s, I doubt he was trying to be racist. More like protect his son from the harsh realities of racism.

 There was a Million Hoodie March.

There have been stories about the history of the hoodie.

Geraldo blamed the hoodie.

Someone should let Old Navy know one of their staples is a sign of thievery and violence.

Obama weighed in. And then Santorum and Gingrich weighed in on Obama's weigh in.

The Miami Heat donned hoodies.

And so did I.

 Why?

Because my husband K once had guns drawn on him by the cops because he fit the description... the description... of a thief in the neighborhood. Black and whites jumped the curb he was standing on holding bags of groceries. He was ordered to drop them. He did. The guns remained aimed squarely at him. His little cousins screamed in fear. One yelled, "Don't shoot my cousin. Please." His uncle was angry. Eventually, they left. It was a mistake. But he matched the description. Tall male black wearing jeans and a baseball cap.

Those damn Yankees.

He had only been in the U.S. a couple of years. He had lived in Brazil and Trinidad before.

Oh, those damn Yankees...


****

Why?

Because my brother, at about Trayvon's age, once found himself surrounded a few blocks from home. He had been walking from work. An old lady thought he looked suspicious. Called the cops. At least the guns hadn't been drawn.

****

Why?

Because hoodies and hats can be removed, our brown and black skin can't.

****

Why?

Because Skittles and iced tea aren't weapons. Neither are wallets.

****

Why?

Because as Dr. King wrote,  "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

****

Why?

Because I am Trayvon Martin.