What now…how do we move forward in the best interest of justice?

Maybe it’s me, but after hearing the jury’s verdict in the case of Trayvon Martin’s killer (not the “case of Trayvon Martin”), like many others my emotions ran the gamut from expecting the declared verdict to intense anger. However, in attempting to compartmentalize this anger it is more prudent to put it in writing.

Every day in just about any city there are senseless deaths of our youth. Whether these acts of violence are committed en masse or one-on-one, the issue is they occur. As a matter of fact, in 2010 there were 1,982 youth, between the ages of 10 – 19, murdered and 84% were a result of a firearm (National Association of School Psychologists, “Youth Gun Violence Fact Sheet,” 2013). Even more disturbing is the fact that between 1981 and 2010 firearms were a part of the deaths of at least 112,375 infants, children and teens (ibid.); this is at least 25,000 more than the combined deaths of soldiers in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan (Children’s Defense Fund. Protect children, not guns: Key facts. April 24, 2013).

What does this indicate about the mental state of citizens of this country? Regardless the reason, why must so families bury their children young? Why the responses of gun advocates were so passionate following the heartbreak of the many deaths in Newton, CT, yet these same voices were silent in the wake of the tragic slaying of Trayvon Martin? Who believes race was not a motivation in either the slaying or the coverage? Why have the deaths of so many youths in Chicago, over the past few weeks, not drawn the same outrage and attention as the slaying of Trayvon Martin?

Race.

The fact is Trayvon Martin was unarmed and shot and killed because he struggled with George Zimmerman (most likely for his life) is reminiscent of a time in our country when far too many young men of color fell victim to the shenanigans of what was perpetrated under Jim Crow laws in many states. There was a time when black men experienced much worse compared to the results of this case. Though at a much different level, there are a plethora of similar acts taking place throughout this country.

With this in mind, here’s the question. WHAT ARE WE DOING TO “RESCUE THE CHILDREN?”

There are a number of well meaning organizations which purport to work on behalf of civil and human rights, but what are we doing? If we can’t remain organized enough to protect our communities how are we to muster the manpower to do what’s necessary in times of crisis? What happens when this matter is no longer in the news headlines?

Let’s rephrase the question, WHAT WILL WE DO TO RESCUE OUR CHILDREN?

This question is less of “Trayvon,” the person, but more of what his slaying represents. Just look at the deadly shootings that have increased in Chicago and Baltimore over the past few weeks. As of July 11, 2013, Chicago had seen 47 deaths of school aged youth out of 192 shootings of youth (Chicago school age children and younger shot and school age children and younger homicides 2013, http://crimeInChicago.blogspot.com, July 11, 2013); supposedly 29%  fewer than the same time period in 2012. (Chicago Homicide, Shooting Numbers Decline, Police Say, HuffingtonPost.com, July 1, 2013). Is this good? Then don’t forget Baltimore with 103 shootings out of 126 homicides; a bloody 2013.

What are we doing? Unfortunately, shootings occur on a regular basis in our communities; but what are we doing? This is not a suggestion that we take the streets in a militaristic manner, but maybe more so in a way that’s symbolic of the epic scene in Malcom X.

We are at a point where we have to deal with this matter – of violence in our communities – on every civic, governmental and political level.

This verdict was disappointing on a number of levels, but it’s up to the populace to do something about it; to invoke change. No leader; no one person is going to wave a wand to do so on our behalf. As one of our country’s most notable change agents once stated, “Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. And so we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom” (Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.).

Let’s live a life that will create the change necessary to make the world more livable for our children; or as often stated in my church home, Huber Memorial Church (Baltimore): let’s “RESCUE the children; In order to REDEEM the family; so we can RECREATE the community.”

It’s the only way; but this is just my opinion.