To the Round Pegs in The Square Holes

“The ones who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones that do” is a quote from an Apple marketing campaign that hangs on the wall of my office. I believe it wholeheartedly to be true...and I am a crazy one.

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Luckily, I am not alone. Yesterday afternoon I marched downtown with almost 2500 people who were crazy enough to think they could make change. And you know what? They did. Moms, dads, kids in strollers, community members, media, women in wheel chairs, and even men on horses gathered at Crispus Attucks High School. They marched down the street stopping rush hour traffic wearing hoodies, toting signs, and carrying Skittles and iced tea to bring awareness to the death of Trayvon Martin, a young man who was killed in Florida by someone on the neighborhood watch.

This case has received national attention because the man who killed Trayvon has not been arrested. Florida has a law that allows a person to use deadly force if they feel their property or person is being threatened. It is commonly known as the “Shoot First, Ask Second” Law or the Stand Your Ground Law.*

People listen to speakers while holding signs asking for justice and bearing Trayvon's face.

I think in order to change the world we must be willing to face the problems in society head on. We cannot sweep them under the rug because then there is nothing to address. We cannot blame others because then we can always be the victim. We must recognize difficulty, offer solutions, and be the ones willing to work for them. Yesterday I saw some of that. People united. People creating change. I was glad to take part in the demonstration, to lend my presence and speak out against taking a life because the law says it is okay.

There is much left to be changed. And it starts with you...the crazy ones.

*I encourage you to research these laws and this case. I am by no means an expert. I included links so you could see some of what's out there. I attended this rally because I do not believe in killing people and I wanted to show my support for this young man and his family. 

The views and opinions expressed in this article are mine and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of MCCOY. If you would like to learn more about how your voice can be heard, please sign up for MCCOY's advocacy newsletter, Youth Advocacy Council, or follow us at MCCOY_Advocacy.