It’s been five years since Trayvon Martin was shot to death in a small town in Central Florida. During those five years, his name and the image of the hoodie he wore have become an symbol for a number of race based problems plaguing America today. Behind the iconic nature of the tragedy however, rests the continuing struggle of his parents as they live the daily reality of coming to terms with the untimely death of their son.
Rest in Power: The Enduring Life of Trayvon Martin is a book written by Trayvon’s parents Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin. The Miami Book Fair presents the authors at MDC’s Wolfson Campus on Monday, February 6, to talk about the book and tell readers about the inspiring journey they have undertaken. The parents recently spoke on the radio with WLRN’s Nadege Green:
Tracy: Our voice is his voice, which is the power to help people unite, the power to help people get over their grief, the power to seek justice, the power to move ahead, beyond the tragedy…
Sybrina: I don’t think that that hole will ever heal…
Tracy: Just knowing that people in our communities that we don’t even know– just knowing that they are there for us and being able to tell them you are our rock along with God, you are our strength along with God. You are the people that help us stand.
Sybrina: Trayvon lives on through us his parents, his family and everybody that is in support of trying to make a positive change. Even though I stood up when my son was shot down, it doesn’t matter where you start. Just as long as you get started into doing something. It’s about action.
Tracy: And I go back to Emmett Till. But in between Emmett Till and Trayvon Martin there have been so many unjustified deaths. From Trayvon, I can truly say came the Black Lives Matter movement. Through Trayvon, it brought awareness and so he lives through that. His name will live on forever.
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MDC and Books and Books Presents The Enduring Life of Trayvon Martin
Monday, February 6, 6:30pm
MDC Wolfson Campus Auditorium, Bldg. 1, 1261
300 N.E. Second Ave.
Tickets: Free and Open to the Public
Miami Book Fair
Miami Book Fair, widely considered the largest and finest literary event in the U.S., is part of MDCulture, the Cultural Affairs Department of Miami Dade College. In addition to the annual, eight-day festival that takes place on the Wolfson Campus of the College in Downtown Miami, Miami Book Fair presents literary programs throughout Miami all year long. Miami Book Fair is made possible through the generous support of the State of Florida and the National Endowment for the Arts; the City of Miami; Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners; Miami-Dade County Public Schools; the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau; the Miami Downtown Development; and the Friends of the Fair; as well as many corporate partners.