The Death of Trayvon Martin: Hoodie Justice Pending in Sanford, Florida

I write today as a mom of 3 handsome African American boys. Or shall I say 3 handsome, sweet African-American teenage boys. Much like Trayvon Martin.  rnThey are 17, 16, and 15 years of age. They are honor students with a Catholic school background. My boys like to wear sneakers-white, black, red and white and blue. They wear blue jeans and hoodies too. My boys talk and text on their cell phones fairly oblivious to anything else as they walk and talk. I am an attorney, practicing malpractice defense, family law and criminal defense. In fact, right here in Central Florida.  rnFifteen miles or so from where Trayvon Martin, the African American boy, 17 years of age, on the cell phone, talking with a girl, going home with candy in his pocket was shot and killed.  rnAs a criminal defense attorney, I am trying to understand the reason why it was initially determined that no crime was committed. There was a dead person. A dead child without a weapon and not committing a crime. A child walking home to his father’s house, being where he’s supposed to be.  rnTrayvon was reported as being suspicious because he was an African American male walking with blue jeans, white tennis shoes and a hoodie. I am trying to figure out what made him suspicious. Was being black young and male? Was it the hoodie? Was it the blue jeans or the white sneakers?  rnThe moms of black teenage sons need to know. What should our sons not wear so they won’t be profiled as suspicious and shot to death? My sons can change every article of clothing but, they can’t change the color of their skin. Certainly, had he been white, Trayvon’s fate would not have been the same. This mom and dad would still have their son.  rnNow where is justice? Is it hiding in color of George Zimmerman’s skin? Is it hiding in the State Attorney’s Office or even maybe the Sheriff’s Department? Why wasn’t Zimmerman tested for drugs or alcohol? Why wasn’t the teenage girlfriend of Trayvon contacted and questioned? She was the last one to speak to the young man. Why was there delay in releasing the 911 tapes?  rnZimmerman violated the neighborhood watch rules of prohibiting possession of a weapon, and to never confront a suspect. Let’s not even talk about killing an alleged suspect coming from the store with candy in his pocket. The bigger question is why Mr. Zimmerman was not immediately arrested and charged with at least aggravated manslaughter.  rnI am a citizen of the USA. I am an attorney, a defender of the people. I am a mom and a parent, and my heart hurts for the parents of Trayvon Martin. What a fine son! What a handsome black boy to be proud of!  rnOn the other hand, what an opportunity for justice to be done. What an opportunity for justice to not have a profile of color. Racism. Profiling. Cover up. Without a doubt.  rnBut, there will be justice for Trayvon Martin.  rnLove and Peace to the Family of Trayvon.

Beryl Thompson-McClaryrn