I sat with my beautiful 3-month-old baby boy on my lap as my wife and I patiently waited for the verdict in the Trayvon Martin case.
With anticipation, I clutched my newborn baby’s hands as the judge read out the words “not guilty.”
I was stunned, shocked and speechless.
Although I know that the election of Barack Obama didn’t usher in a new, post-racial America.
Although I know that youth of color are criminalized and disproportionately incarcerated throughout our justice system.
Although I know that racism is still very much alive today in our 21st century America.
Although I know all of this, I still cried.
I cried for my beautiful baby boy that I held tightly in my arms.
I cried because I wanted him to know that every life, regardless of color or background, is precious.
I wanted him to feel my sadness and compassion for every young boy of color who has to continue being careful while wearing a hoodie out at night.
I wanted him to learn that we’ve made some progress in America, but that we still have a long way to go.
As my little boy grows older, he’ll see his daddy continue to organize for peace and justice.
He’ll see that Trayvon Martin’s murder wasn’t in vain, but that it galvanized a movement to overturn every Stand Your Ground law in America.
He’ll see that people mobilized to finally pass comprehensive gun safety legislation.
And he’ll see that millions of people continued to fight for racial and economic justice until every black boy truly felt safe in America.
So tonight I pray for the families of Trayvon Martin and George Zimmerman.
Tonight I pray for all those families who are fearful for the safety of their little ones.
And tonight I pray that my little angel will inherit a world much more different than the one that we live in today.
Mike de la Rocha is an LA-based musician, writer and entrepreneur. To find out more about Mike visit mikedelarocha.com and follow him on Twitter at @mrmikedelarocha
