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Panel on Trayvon Martin aims to empower minorities

Though the Trayvon Martin case may have closed this summer, the discussion of it has not.

UNC’s Black Student Movement’s three-part lecture series discussing the court decision concluded Wednesday night with a session entitled “Empower Yourself!”

The panel of speakers included former N.C. Sen. Ellie Kinnaird, high school student Akira Height of Raleigh and members of the N.C. NAACP, Langston Byrd and Rena McNeil.

A common theme throughout the event was the importance of continuing the discussion of the court decision.

Keeping the conversation going allows other cultures to establish a better understanding of the events surrounding the case, the panelists agreed.

“Contact is absolutely critical,” Kinnaird said.

“I felt after the case was over people were left wondering and confused,” said Summer Holmes, BSM Political Action Committee co-chair. The lecture series provided students an opportunity to share their differing perspectives and feelings about the case.

The BSM, in conjunction with the Carolina Black Caucus and the UNC NAACP, hosted the lecture series in order to discuss the implications and outcomes of the controversial State of Florida v. George Zimmerman case.

The first lecture explained the legal vernacular surrounding the case, and the second discussed the effects of being black in America and the media representation of the case. Wednesday night’s discussion focused on what students can do about race relations regardless of gender and ethnicity.

UNC student Joscelyn Solomon, who attended two of the lectures, said she learned from the series that people had a lot of different perspectives about the Martin case.

The panelists also repeatedly talked about the need for civic engagement.

Because of the many voting law changes that have been made recently in North Carolina, such as the elimination of straight party voting and the shortening of early voting, it is even more important for students to vote and be informed about the decisions of their legislators, Kinnaird said.

Brandon Napier, BSM Political Action Committee co-chair, said students can use the case as a catalyst to be active in the local Chapel Hill government.

“Education is a good foundation for being empowered,” he said.

Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Winston Crisp concluded the panel by emphasizing the need for the continuance of education, especially regarding civil rights issues.

“Don’t be satisfied with being here,” he said, noting that civil rights in America still have a long way to go. “Commit yourself to your education.”

Deborah Stroman, an exercise and sports sciences professor and the leader of the Carolina Black Caucus, said even though the case is closed in the courts, it is still worth discussing.

“The case and the issue is not over — at all.”

Martin represents not only young men of color but also all lower or middle class people, regardless of race, Stroman said.

“It’s very rewarding to see students of all races be there and caucus members being there participating on such a timely subject,” she said.

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