Beyond Trayvon Martin: A Spoken Word Poet Shares his Thoughts

In an April 10, 2012, article titled “The Trayvon Martin and Tulsa Shootings: The Time for Inaction Is Over” Sharpton wrote in part: “There are some in positions of power that would like nothing more than to make us believe that racism, classism and other inequities don't exist. But they do. And the only way to combat them, and stop our nation from reverting back to days when the Trayvon and Tulsa shootings were the norm, is to have an honest dialogue and most importantly, take action. The worst thing we can do is come together and walk away doing nothing. There is far too much at risk.” 

The young spoken word poet is taking action by speaking out about Trayvon's murder.  I am taking action by posting blogs and videos that support President Obama and his vision of equality and justice for all Americans. 

What are action(s) are you doing and/or planning on doing to stop our nation from reverting back to days when the Trayvon and Tulsa shootings were the norm?  You can take action by engaging in the political process during the 2012 presidential election. If you can afford it donate money and/or your time working to re-elect President Obama. Even more importantly you must vote on November 6, 2012, and in every local, state, and national election during the rest of your lives. Change won't come easily but it will come if we continue to match, vote, and build on what President Obama started during his first term as this nation's first African-American president.

Vera Richardson
Author of Screwed by Former Governor and Attorney General Eliot Spitzer