We are not Trayvon Martin

So beautifully written by people across the country trying to understand how this could happen.  I can imagine how painful this must be for White people also - people who do not want to be lumped into the discussions of racism alongside racists.

You are heard. You are seen.

Read the many stories here.

But this specific one touched my heart the most: 

"I am not Trayvon Martin. I am a white 34 year old mother of two. And I cannot comprehend the grief that Trayvon’s mother and father will carry with them for the rest of their lives, all because their child was assumed to have weapons on him and be a threat simply because of the color of his skin.

I read to my children last night before bed, as we do every night. Last night, I read to them President Obama’s children’s book, “A Letter to My Daughters". It is a beautiful message of diversity and celebration of the America that we all so desperately WANT to live in. It is a message about celebrating our differences and teaching each other. It is a hope. It is, sadly, not reality.

What happened to Trayvon Martin is the reality of this country. The miscarriage of justice that happened over the weekend is the reality of this country. It is a country where black people are still second class citizens. Where they may not be confined to a separate drinking fountain or movie theater, but where their lives are worth less than mine. Just because I am white and they are not.

Trayvon Martin was a typical teenager. Who among us didn’t smoke pot, or act bigger than we were, or brag to members of the opposite sex to impress them? And what teenager wouldn’t be terrified of an angry adult man with a gun? Who among us wouldn’t have defended themselves, whatever way we could? Nothing - NOTHING - Trayvon did that night should be up for debate. Nothing.

The truth if this whole tragedy is that Trayvon Martin was a typical teenager who wouldn’t have been looked at twice by George Zimmerman if he had been white. But instead, because he was black, and for NO OTHER REASON, he was stalked, assaulted, and killed. And then his MURDERER was set free on a plea of self defense. Self defense! If anyone was defending themselves, it was the unarmed 17 year old child who was fighting for his life. But he was black, and George Zimmerman is not. And so Trayvon’s life is worth less.

This is the reality of our country.

Not to me. Trayvon was someone’s child. He was still a child. He was loved. He will not be forgotten.

I’m sorry Trayvon. As a mother, I would like nothing more than to wrap my arms around you and tell you you are safe, and that I will not let someone hurt you, and that I am so sorry this happened to you. I would tell you that your are loved, that you are important, and that you would have grown up to be someone amazing.

I am not Trayvon Martin. But I will never, ever forget what happened to him. And I will teach my children not to judge people for the color of their skin, or their religion, or their sexual orientation, or anything else but the content of their character. I will carry Trayvon in my heart, and I will remember him."

So eloquently written. I'm speechless. Thanks Megan, for sharing... and thank you for being a part of the change so desperately needed in this country!
I read to my children last night before bed, as we do every night. Last night, I read to them President Obama’s children’s book, “A Letter to My Daughters". It is a beautiful message of diversity and celebration of the America that we all so desperately WANT to live in. It is a message about celebrating our differences and teaching each other. It is a hope. It is, sadly, not reality.
What happened to Trayvon Martin is the reality of this country. The miscarriage of justice that happened over the weekend is the reality of this country. It is a country where black people are still second class citizens. Where they may not be confined to a separate drinking fountain or movie theater, but where their lives are worth less than mine. Just because I am white and they are not.
Trayvon Martin was a typical teenager. Who among us didn’t smoke pot, or act bigger than we were, or brag to members of the opposite sex to impress them? And what teenager wouldn’t be terrified of an angry adult man with a gun? Who among us wouldn’t have defended themselves, whatever way we could? Nothing - NOTHING - Trayvon did that night should be up for debate. Nothing.
The truth if this whole tragedy is that Trayvon Martin was a typical teenager who wouldn’t have been looked at twice by George Zimmerman if he had been white. But instead, because he was black, and for NO OTHER REASON, he was stalked, assaulted, and killed. And then his MURDERER was set free on a plea of self defense. Self defense! If anyone was defending themselves, it was the unarmed 17 year old child who was fighting for his life. But he was black, and George Zimmerman is not. And so Trayvon’s life is worth less.
This is the reality of our country.
Not to me. Trayvon was someone’s child. He was still a child. He was loved. He will not be forgotten.
I’m sorry Trayvon. As a mother, I would like nothing more than to wrap my arms around you and tell you you are safe, and that I will not let someone hurt you, and that I am so sorry this happened to you. I would tell you that your are loved, that you are important, and that you would have grown up to be someone amazing.
I am not Trayvon Martin. But I will never, ever forget what happened to him. And I will teach my children not to judge people for the color of their skin, or their religion, or their sexual orientation, or anything else but the content of their character. I will carry Trayvon in my heart, and I will remember him."

So eloquently written. I'm speechless. 
Thanks Megan, for sharing... and thank you for being a part of the change so desperately needed in this country!