A Letter to Trayvon Martin’s Mother

Dear Ms. Fulton,

Tonight, I shed tears for your son and for the system that failed him. I cry for all the people in America–a land that’s supposed to be free–who look at black boys as criminals and not future doctors and lawyers. They hide their racism and ignorance behind a stand your ground law when in fact, they don’t stand for anything at all. They fall to evil and are overcome by hate. This issue goes far beyond the color of our skin and to the core of our character. Will America sit back and watch more Trayvon’s die daily–not just physically but mentally? Will America stand their ground and force Lady Justice to wrap her caring arms around young men like my 8 and 10-year-old nephews instead of pushing them onto a path that leads to prisons or cemeteries? Will America close the achievement gap between young black boys and their white counterparts–sitting in the desks beside them but not receiving an equal education?

Ms. Fulton I pray that each day your pain lessens. That the weight of George Zimmerman’s hate, piercing your heart like the bullet that struck your son, is removed. Although you see darkness today, may your son’s light shine down from Heaven tomorrow. May you not suffocate to your guilt of not being there to answer your child’s call for help. This time, a kiss and a band-aid couldn’t make everything OK. As a mother, we must let our children go into the world and use what we taught them to navigate their way on their journeys. Although his trip through life was cut short, your journey has not ended.

May you believe that God is our ultimate judge and jury. He delivers the final decision in this case and delivers you from tragedy to triumph. You may wonder what there is to celebrate. What blessings can be bestowed that return the joy to your heart and the smile to your face? One day you will realize George Zimmerman may have stolen your son but he cannot steal the love inside you. He cannot take away how you view Trayvon–a boy you looked at with pride, with hope, with joy. You saw a president, a CEO, a rocket scientist. I pray that all Americans will see the same. Many already do. Many white Americans are just as upset as African Americans. They are turning anger into action and protesting the unbalanced scales of the judicial system. May all people join them and look through the dark hooded sweatshirts on the backs of black boys to see compassion, confidence, courage and infinite wisdom. May God bless you and comfort you in this time of need.

Sincerely,

Heather Hopson, a mom who shed your tears tonight in case you didn’t have any left to give.

Hey DFTM Fam–If you could call Trayvon’s mom tonight, what would you tell her?