There are those who say, because we have elected a black president, we now live in a post-racial society. Nothing could be farther from the truth, in the wake of the events surrounding the death of Trayvon Martin and the subsequent trial. The death of Trayvon Martin has caused great pain to many Americans. The acquittal of George Zimmerman has polarized America.
What is evident is that this tragedy had everything to do with race. George Zimmerman’s assumption that Trayvon Martin was a “suspect” to be followed was based upon that fact that Trayvon was a young black male dressed in a hooded sweatshirt.
As a black youth who grew up in the deep South, Trayvon Martin likely experienced discrimination each time he walked into a retail store and was followed by store security. Like my own son, Trayvon Martin wasn’t just profiled the night of his death, he was profiled for much of his life. There is probably no doubt that race was also on the mind of Trayvon Martin as he was followed that night.
Although we do not know how the struggle began, we do know that what ensued resulted in a tragedy. Trayvon Martin will no longer walk on this earth and George Zimmerman, although acquitted, will never really be free. The issue of race was probably on the minds of both of them that night.
To say that we live in a post-racial society and that race does not matter is false. If we are to heal, we must confront the issue of race in this country.
In last Sunday’s Gospel reading, Jesus calls on us to follow his law, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”
Corlis L. Sellers is the former associate director of Lifelong Faith Formation for Black Catholics and is a parishioner of St. Andrew the Apostle in Gibbsboro.
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