Trayvon Martin

Dear Mr. Langerlaan,

I'm the kind of person who has to think about issues fully and take time to look at things from all angles before I have something to say about them.  This process often takes a lot of time, especially when days are busy and there's not much time to think.  Therefore, I'm often able to voice something way after the fact, when others have already moved on to the next thing. 

I realized that's not the case, though, with what happened to Trayvon Martin.  A group in my area is hosting an event this week to discuss Trayvon's death and the issues surrounding it.  I just read about it in this weekend's paper.  I'm glad that this case is still being discussed because there are many implications and elements of change that what happened brings up.

In an article about a mural dedicated to Trayvon Martin that I read earlier this month of April, you, Mr. Langerlaan, called the mayor's office to complain, stating, "That type of art goes with gangs.  It's a hooded character with no face.  How am I supposed to interpret it?"  I wondered if anyone answered your question.  I feel compelled to. 

When I saw the article about this Elmwood Park mural, it caught my eye.  I thought the artwork was a beautiful representation of a message that others understood and supported the issues surrounding Trayvon Martin's case.  I realize the location of this mural might not be ideal.  Perhaps if it had been just over the border in Paterson, there would be no issues.  I know these areas well, and what is occurring here furthers the issue at hand: of racial profiling, racial discrimination, and prejudgments that cause untimely deaths.  It actually reminds me of the story of an elementary school classmate of mine who was shot by the cops as a teenager in Paterson.  His name was Lawrence, too.

There is a problem with not knowing how to interpret art, Mr. Langerlaan. Art is a passion of mine, and when I saw the "hooded character with no face" immediately I realized that this figure represented the meaning behind this case. Perhaps that was how Trayvon Martin was viewed:  "as a hooded character with no face."  Perhaps that was how his shooter viewed all who wore a hooded sweatshirt: as someone with no face. 

This is a problem, because underneath the hood, there is a face.  The face represents a person, an individual, more than a character, more than just a figure wearing a hood. People need to see that. They need to recognize that if they are viewing people as ones with no face, as ones who all look the same, who represent gang culture or whatever the case may be, they are wrong. They are seeing through jaded eyes. They are seeing through prejudices and judgments. They are seeing through the eyes of racism. They are not seeing differences. They are not seeing individuality. They are seeing a person with no face. How shall I interpret that? 

I hope I've helped with my interpretation, sir.  This is an opportunity for a community to band together in the realization that prejudices exist but we strive to overcome them.  It is sad that this wonderful mural has become a threat, when it is obvious that it was only meant to show love.

~Brianne

For videos about this mural click here 
For articles, click here