The Danger of Profiling, from Trayvon Martin to Trump's Muslim Ban

Five years ago, a 17-year-old, African-American teenager named Trayvon Martin went out for a snack. Like many his age, he was a young man full of dreams and aspirations. The remainder of his story has been burned into our collective consciousness. Trayvon put on a hoody, bought a pack of Skittles and walked home. George Zimmerman, a white neighborhood watchman, pursued him in a truck, shot and killed him.

Trayvon’s memory echoed through Hollywood’s biggest night, as celebrities like Kerry Washington and Ava DuVernay wore grey hoodies and filled social media feeds to commemorate the the 5-year anniversary of Martin’s death. As we reflect on the life of a young man stolen senselessly, we must never forget the dangers of racial and religious profiling. Trayvon fell victim to inherent biases that caused a neighborhood watchman to profile an unarmed black boy as a threat, but many of the Trump administration’s executive orders would write racial and religious profiling into law. As the Trump administration prepares to release a new executive order banning refugees from Muslim-majority countries, we must remember the perils that come with demonizing an entire group because of the actions of those who look like them.

When profiling is used to make divisive and immoral legislation, it compromises the integrity of a nation whose creed is liberty and justice for all; it dims the light of a country seen as a beacon of hope for those fleeing violence and persecution; and it pits neighbor against neighbor, as seen in the case of Trayvon Martin.

As a mother and a pastor, I’ve spent time with grieving families. There’s nothing more heart wrenching than consoling a parent who’s lost a child. There’s part of me that looks at the Trayvon Martin shooting and wonders if it could be my own son. And yet, I know that it there’s a big difference: my son is white.

In both word and deed, the Trump administration has set several dangerous precedents. In just a few short weeks, Trump’s cabinet of bigotry has pioneered policy that builds walls, bans Muslims, and restricts the rights of our LGBT brothers and sisters.

As Christians, we are called to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly. All of our faith traditions teach us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. As believers in a shared humanity, love and compassion for the most vulnerable among us

should be at heart of all that we do.

As our nation mourns the life of a young man who was demonized because of his race and contends with legislation that villainizes an entire religion, people of faith must keep up the fight for justice. An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us.

We must draw a bright moral line in the sand and stand on the side of equality, tolerance and inclusion. To honor the life of Trayvon Martin and so many others, we must push our nation to resist bigotry of any sort. We cannot back down.

#criminaljustice #Neighbors #refugees #immigration #Muslims