Wednesday, February 5th would have been Trayvon Martin’s 30th birthday. As I reflect on all the milestones he and his family have missed experiencing over the last 13 years, I couldn’t help but to also think of how his untimely death sparked a movement towards justice and equality amongst a new generation of activists.
I was a sophomore in college when I first heard about Trayvon’s murder. I remember scrolling through Twitter, when I stumbled upon a post from a fellow classmate detailing their outrage. Soon after, our university’s BSU (Black Student Union) brought up the incident in a meeting, offering to discuss ways we could fight for justice on campus and beyond.
Growing up a Black woman in the south, vitriol and violence at the hands of “others” was something I experienced often. I’ve had my fair share of incidents of racism from classmates, adults, and strangers alike, simply for existing in spaces they felt I “didn’t belong.” Up until 2012, I’ve faced adversity with silence and turned the other cheek, hoping to de-escalate the animosity thrown my way. The news of Trayvon’s murder was nothing new, but knowing he was nearly my age — only two years younger — lit a fire within me that couldn’t be put out.
Trayvon could have been my brother, my friend, or even me. Knowing he was murdered in a place where he should have felt safe, fueled that fire even more. Trayvon was walking back from a convenience store through his aunt’s neighborhood, when a civilian decided he “didn’t belong” and took it upon himself to intercede and ultimately kill Trayvon. Trayvon was murdered in a community where he and his family should have felt included and safe.
At only 17-years-old, Trayvon was robbed of the opportunity to go to college, to thrive in a career, to get married, have children of his own, to grow old. I refuse to allow his death to be in vain or allow us to regress as a society. As I reflect on all the conversations started, activism sparked, and actions that came from this tragedy, I can’t help but see how far we still have to go to ensure that justice and equality for ALL becomes a reality. I will continue to speak up and fight for equality and inclusion for everyone, even those who don’t view me as their equal.
Let’s address the elephant in the room surrounding the current pressure on DEI practices and vulnerable populations in our country. The current rhetoric against DEI is being used to further divide us and alienate those who are made to feel that they don’t belong. We’ve come such a long way from the segregationist practices of Jim Crow, why would we roll back? Ensuring those who have different backgrounds are included, and accommodating those who are differently abled should not feel threatening by any means. Being born different from the status quo does not make a person any less deserving of safety and inclusivity. This division only perpetuates stronger hate and misjudgments about kids like Trayvon or the 19-year-old me who was awakened by his death. Being “anti-DEI” further makes our world an unsafe space.
When we accept diversity, we have the opportunity to view the world from different perspectives. Equity ensures that we all get a fair opportunity. Inclusion creates a safe space for everyone to be open and feel free enough to be themselves.
According to Pew Research, “Generation Z represents the leading edge of the country’s changing racial and ethnic makeup. A bare majority (52%) are non-Hispanic white – significantly smaller than the share of Millennials who were non-Hispanic white in 2002 (61%).” Our country is becoming more and more diverse – we must adapt and change to welcome those who are different into our workplaces, neighborhoods, and friend circles. To make the needed shifts, we need DEI initiatives to provide critical support to understand our biases – which go far beyond racial and ethnic differences – and be more inclusive.
I implore everyone reading this to ask yourselves one thing; “when I look back on this time in history, will I feel that I made a positive contribution to make society and our workplaces inclusive for everyone?” I’m not asking you to join activists who are canvasing in the streets, if that is not your comfort level. What I am asking is for you to take notice of how the rollback of DEI programs and resources, coupled with the growing division in our country, only pushes us farther from progress.
Welcome those around you who are different. Continue to uplift marginalized voices. Reflect on how YOU can be an advocate for those who are disenfranchised. Lastly, I challenge you to use your voice to fight for equity for ALL, rather than some. I’ll leave you with this quote from poet and activist, Audre Lorde; “It is not our differences that divide us, it is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.”
Happy Heavenly Birthday Trayvon. Rest in Power.
Respectfully,
Brianna
