Some say men aren't supposed to cry. But I cried all night before, during and after attending the Trayvon Martin Rally in Sanford, Florida last night. I'm not sure if they were tears of joy, anger, sadness, fear or a mixture.
My tears began to flow at the rally when Trayvon's mother spoke. She was composed but very emotional when she said, "I stand before you today not knowing how I'm walking right now because my heart hurts for my son."
Sometimes I wonder how black people have continued to walk over the course of the centuries of our American experience under the weight of the painful burdens we've had to bear from slavery through today. We must be a strong people of faith to endure what we've endured and still find a way to keep standing.
Trayvon's mom showed her strength and faith by citing these words from Proverbs 3:5: "Trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding."
Powerful.
My tears continued to flow when Trayvon's father somewhat defiantly declared: "I pledge I will not let my son die in vain!' He vowed that he and his family would not rest until they secure justice for Trayvon.
Energizing.
My tears continued to flow when I looked around and saw close to 20,000 people of every race and age, united and standing shoulder-to-shoulder in peaceful solidarity in their support of Trayvon and his family.
Inspirational.
Because I had lots on my mind, I tossed and turned a lot last night, but finally drifted off to sleep. When I woke up this morning I began to think over last night's rally and the circumstances of Trayvon's tragic death and was overcome with emotion once again. My tears are dotting the keyboard as I write this.
Maybe I'm crying because I feel so marginalized and devalued by all of this. This tragedy reminded me something that I already knew: That as black men in America the lives of me, my son, my brother and my father still ain't worth 50 cents to lots of people in this country. That's a hell of a realization, coupled with the fear that nothing has changed and probably never will.
In spite of that, we must keep this movement for Trayvon going strong, at least until we secure justice for him. When we do, my tears will definitely be tears of joy.