Heaven Help Us

Trayvon Martin has sparked a moral and ethical nerve in this country. Unfortunately, it is a nerve that has be festering for quite a while. There are examples of this kind of tragedy all over the country everyday and you pray there will be an end. Thanks to technology Trayvon's murder (because that's what it was) went viral via twitter, face book and the Internet in general.

What if we didn't have social media to spread the news about Trayvon Martin?

What are the lessons you teach your fellow man about this tragedy? Have you ever talk about race relations to get a better understanding?

Do you hope that you don't have to talk about it, because you have friends of different cultures, ethnic groups and backgrounds?

Is it just assumed because you have those relationships that you have an understanding of one's thoughts about race and the sensitive issues surrounding it?

You would be assuming too much if you think like that. Have you ever been offended by what a friend said, but didn't admit it? Did you give them a moral pass, because they're your friend? I'm sure you have, because the friend is generally a good and descent person. So why does this matter?

It matters, because one of the most offensive things a person without understanding could say is "Just Get Over It". More importantly, you telling yourself, I'll get over it.

My Thoughts

I think its important to have dialog about the Trayvon Martin case with your friends. There are a number of issues that can be healthy to discuss. Teach your son's, daughter's, mentor's and colleagues how to discuss this issue in various ways. First, research the issue for the "facts" and understand both sides of this matter. This is an emotionally charged issue, so you want to approach it with some intelligence, not just emotion. You want to be able to hear others who may not share your view.

Have an open forum with friends. Allow others to express their opinions while you facilitate the conversation. Utilize this discussion to discuss issues such as the role of race and media in influencing how we view society.

My faith in God and music helps me to cope with this issue. I have a son and a little boy on the way. I know more than ever how my parents felt every time my brother and I left the house to hang with friends. I'm reminded of a song that I've been listening too these days by one of my favorite artist, Stevie Wonder. Heaven Help Us All was a song released in the early 70's by Stevie Wonder. 


"Now I lay me down before I go to sleep. In a troubled world, I pray the Lord to keep, keep hatred from the mighty, And the mighty from the small, Heaven help us all..."http://youtu.be/vrlBeEkvzHY