Trayvon Martin
Kindergarten Graduation

Well, I don’t know what will happen now. We’ve got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn’t matter with me now. Because I’ve been to the mountaintop. And I don’t mind. Like any man, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people will get to the promised land. And I’m happy, tonight. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.
– Martin Luther King Jr., Speech at Bishop Charles Mason Temple in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 3, 1968

Trayvon Martin is not here today because of judgement and misunderstanding. Just as you who are reading this, Trayvon was innocent; he had no contact with Zimmerman until he was approached. What actually went down, we may never know. But what we do know was that there was injustice. Sadly, it’s not surprising. But we have to do more to be taken seriously.

We are Trayvon, the innocent being. But we don’t have to be Trayvon the victim. We still have the option to speak up. There We Are Martin. Martin Luther King Jr. Like MLK, we have the ability to take a stand and be heard. It is possible. Quit being negative. Open your eyes.

We need to stop speaking of Zimmerman and look at the bigger issue. This case has been blown up, and I’m glad it isn’t hidden. Unfortunately, murderers like Zimmerman get away everyday. We just don’t know about it. It’s not about Zimmerman. He will have to live with this experience as long as he may live.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. (Romans 12:17-19 NIV)

What Can We Do Instead?

Faith without works is dead, according to. James 2:20-22:  “You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?  Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.”

The passage continues:

You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. (James 2:22-24)

We as a people need to see that after this George Zimmerman case, we cannot HOPE for better. We have to DO better. Just as we want to take a stand for this, we also need to take a stand when it comes to black-on-black crime. We cannot turn the other cheek. It’s baby steps but WE need to take action to be taken seriously. We need to UNITE as one. We need to uplift our communities. Yes, God is in control.  Still, as children of God, we need to use what gifts and talents we are blessed with to work to prevent injustices like this one from happening again. I’m not saying it won’t happen again, but we can’t sit on our butts and expect things to change.

Steps To Make A Change! Check Below!

• Donate to the Trayvon Martin Foundation (via the Miami Foundation) here.  At the bottom of the page, after entering the amount of your donation, click on “Select a Designation.” Click on the dropdown menu, and then choose Trayvon Martin Foundation.

• NAACP: We shall not be moved. Share our petition urging DOJ to file a civil rights violation against Zimmerman. Tell your friends to text JUSTICE to 62227.
  “The Department of Justice has closely monitored the State of Florida’s prosecution of the case against George Zimmerman in the Trayvon Martin murder since it began. Today, with the acquittal of George Zimmerman, it is time for the Department of Justice to act. The most fundamental of civil rights — the right to life — was violated the night George Zimmerman stalked and then took the life of Trayvon Martin. We ask that the Department of Justice file civil rights charges against Mr. Zimmerman for this egregious violation.
  Please address the travesties of the tragic death of Trayvon Martin by acting today.”
  – Words from NAACP.org
  Click here for details on opening a civil rights case against George Zimmerman.

• Steer our youth onto better paths with organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters.

• Give back in any shape or form!  Do you have more ideas? If so, please share them below.

Prayers to the Martin family — and prayers for our country to wake up and unite as one.