Nevada Rose Up For Trayvon Martin

Yesterday, the 'National Action Network' lead 100 cities to take to the streets in protest over justice for Trayvon Benjamin Martin, as the protests were a way of calling attention to the DOJ to pursue civil rights charges against, George Zimmerman.

The verdict of "not guilty" in the Zimmerman trial didn't sit well with many Americans, and as a result, protests and rallies are erupting from every corner of the nation! We are literally living in the modern day civil rights movement of our time. 

Feeling a great weight of responsibility for future generations, forced me to get up and step out to a Trayvon rally within my own community.

Standing in the hot sun that pushed temperatures to a scorching 112 degrees, people gathered, chanted, sang and held up Trayvon Martin signs, signifying their deep connection to the cause while non-verbally making their presence felt. It was amazing!

During the two hour rally many influential speakers took to the podium, each one relating their personal experiences to Trayvon's. There were moments of history talks dating back to Africa, leading into slavery, and up until our present day. 

Two pastor's gave speeches and like all pastor's who find it hard not to have "chuch" ("chuch" is ebonics for "church") while talking to a crowd, "chuch", definitely commenced with people giving spiritual energy to the pastor's to "go on head" and PREACH! 

We had "chuch" twice this day, and the DJ took it a step forward playing the gospel song "He's able", which made folks fall in line doing the two step while singing and clapping. The energy from the crowd was so electrifying that it caused those driving by to honk their horns, or simply pull over to join in protest.

The speakers were great, the crowd was plenty, and the energy was through the roof! However, when the protest ended I was so amped up that I wanted to do more to further this cause, and more in general just within the community. 

Although I sought out certain speakers to gain more insight on how to serve, it disappointed me to notice that there wasn't any tangible information being passed out to the crowd on how they too could serve. 

I only realized this because every time a speaker announced an address, a meeting date, or name of an organization, I was expecting a flyer to follow so that we could remember to attend -- but nothing ever followed. 

A significant amount of people took time to be present at this justice rally, and to sustain the momentum for future events and meetings; flyers, collection of email addresses, names and numbers could be useful to get the same people on board for next time. We can't change anything if we don't have people following, and the only way to have them "follow" is to keep them alert with the latest updates.

Walking away from the rally feeling rejuvenated to press on and P.U.S.H (Pray Until Something Happens) as one of the pastor's stated, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment as a young African American male commented that, "this rally wasn't going to do anything." 

When asking the young man what he meant by his comment, he elaborated stating that the "courthouse is closed ain't nobody paying attention. Who are we talking too?"

As I thought about what this young man said I related it too my previous feelings of not having any "tangible" information. 
  
This young man felt our words and presence was "intangible" because the courthouse was closed, therefore, the "tangible" presence and message of our unity wasn't being received. I comprehended the young man's view because like myself, that young man was looking for something tangible to continue the journey of change. 

Maybe he frequented rallies such as this in the past, and found no positive changes have occurred thus far? Moreover, change begins with one person and if we find others talking the talk but not walking the walk, then shouldn't it behoove us to take the first step?

The young man's comments didn't rain on my parade, instead, it brought me to the realization that community outreach is seriously lacking in Nevada's urban areas.

2013 LA