Do I Look Suspicious -- God Bless You Trayvon

I have been silent lately,

but my heart is full.

I would like to say something about the shooting

of Trayvon Martin,

but I think the students at Howard University have said it better:

What follows is a modest attempt at commentary:

I recall when I moved back from Turkey to the USA,

in 2003,

my first position was a one year stint at a historically black university

in Mississippi. 

As someone who lived the bulk of my current life

in the North East, I found that year to be just as culturally illuminating

as four years in Turkey, if not more so.

Indeed, my culture shock recovery was deferred by a year,

as I moved into another culture, and was shocked even more profoundly,

NOT because of the experience of teaching primarily black students --

they were students, and they had dreams and goals,

and I was happy to help them, in whatever way I could --

but rather, I was stunned when I saw,  very vividly,

in grocery stores, empty swimming pools, churches,

and on the street,

that racism continues to be the biggest challenge facing the United States.

Every now and then, something happens like the murder 

of Trayvon Martin,

and that hidden illness surfaces.

It is our biggest challenge to face that illness

and find constructive, peaceful ways

to heal it.

Rest In Peace, 

dear Trayvon,

and best of luck to the students who made this video,

and all of the students in the USA,

who seek only peace

and respect,

as they work to create

a better future.