Trayvon Martin: A Martyr

As with most things I blog about, you have probably heard about it by now. But no worries, this is something that should stay at the forefront of your mind, and it deserves to stay there. Recently, on Feb. 26th, a young man was shot and killed in a gated Florida community as he walked home after buying snacks from a local convenience store. He was walking home, talking to his girlfriend on the phone when George Zimmerman, a local neighborhood watch member, starts tailing him. Zimmerman goes on to call 911 and report Martin as being a "suspicious person" and tells the 911 operator that, "This guy looks like he's up to no good, or he's on drugs or something, he's just staring, looking at all the houses. Now he's coming toward me. He's got his hand in his waistband. Something's wrong with him." Turns out that nothing was wrong with Trayvon that night. The hand in his waistband? He was holding the bag of Skittles and iced tea he just purchased in place. Why would he look suspicious then? Was it the hoodie he had up to block the light drizzle that night? Or was it the fact that he was a black teen out alone at night? That has become the hot question of the last few weeks as thousands across the US question what really happened that night and rallying for justice against Trayvon's killer. Demonstrations have quickly spread across the US, reflecting the nations outrage over what seems like such a blatant abuse of justice. Calls for the Police Chief to resign have been echoed loud and clear and millions have taken to the streets, Facebook, and twitter to express their utter outrage and shock at the events taking place. The issue has spread from being an internet phenomenon to a mass media phenomenon, with senators now taking part in protests, as well as celebrities, athletes, and other top officials. Hopefully justice will be serves, as the FBI has launched an investigation into the happenings that night as well as the state and local police. However, justice may be long in coming.