Trying to compose my thoughts on the Trayvon Martin verdict has been maddening. Several weeks after George Zimmerman was found not guilty in Trayvon’s murder, I still find myself filled with rage; not only because a young black life was cut short for no reason, but because there is such a large segment of America that doesn’t understand what black men have to deal with every day thanks to nothing other than the color of their skin. I hesitated to write anything about it because I didn’t think I had it in me to post anything that wasn’t RAGE RAGE ANGER RAGE.
I remember the Rodney King verdict 21 years ago, and how so much of the arts and entertainment community stood up and condemned it. This was before social media. I don’t know if it’s because of apathy, or because people are too afraid to upset their corporate sponsors, but it seems as though a lot less of that happened this time around. Kudos to those (Jay & Bey, Chaka Khan, Stevie Wonder, Timberlake, hell…even Rick Ross’s shuckin ‘n jivin’ ass) who did, either by words or actions.
One artist who did is bassist/producer/vocalist Andre Cymone. His “Trayvon” is a stark, plaintive song that does a great job of communicating the pain that many of us felt in regards to the crime itself as well as the verdict. It’s sung and played with passion. You can tell Andre threw his whole heart into the song.
Buy “Trayvon” on Andre’s Bandcamp page. All proceeds will be donated to the Trayvon Martin Foundation.
Those of you crowing on social media? Put your money where your mouth is.
About the Trayvon Martin Foundation: The Trayvon Martin Foundation was established to create awareness of how violent crime impacts the families of the victims, and to provide support and advocacy for those families, in response to the murder of Trayvon Martin.