Our hearts are heavy on this 10th anniversary of Trayvon Martin’s death. The killing of baby-faced Trayvon, an unarmed youth at the hands of a stranger, still reverberates 10 years later -- in protest, in racial reckoning, and in social justice.
10 years ago today, George Zimmerman fatally shot Trayvon Martin, a 17-year-old African-American high schooler in Sanford, Florida. Trayvon was walking home in a gated community from a store after purchasing an Arizona Ice Tea and Skittles candy.
The moment of Trayvon Martin’s death opened the eyes of many. And although the aftermath of his death profoundly impacted the country, it only preceded more unjust killings of Black people, in the familiar march of American history. This tragedy would also come to inspire the creation of the Black Lives Matter movement.
In this week alone, we commemorate Trayvon Martin, Ahmaud Arbery, and George Floyd—and we also remember and hold close their families, who will grieve their loss for the rest of their lives.
These men were killed in a society that criminalizes Black skin. We are still living in a country with a legacy of slavery that does not fully recognize the humanity of Black people. Our Unitarian Universalist faith demands that we continue to address systemic racism. We lift up and honor the beautiful humanity of Trayvon Martin and the dignity of his life.
#RestInPowerTrayvonMartin
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