Racial profiling is same as bullying

As the Trayvon Marin case drags on, I wonder how many other young men are being prosecuted because of the color of their skin?

How many young people see others crossing the street to avoid them? How many are followed in retail stores, suspected of theft just because of who they are? How many realize that they are the only person of color in a room, and are afraid?

Bullying is also in the news right now, and the systematic persecution of young people, especially young men of color, is nothing but institutionalized bullying. But it’s bullying that’s not confined to a school or an age. It is a lifelong message that one person is not as good as another.

Trayvon couldn’t change the color of his skin in order to make his attacker feel less “threatened.” But we can all change the fear and hate that we carry with us.

It’s time to put down the guns, put down the hate and learn to get along.

Treva Rodemaker

North Aurora