Tracy Martin: Why Fathers Matter

Forty-five days have passed since the murder of Trayvon Martin. His killer, George Zimmerman, is now in police custody.

In listening to the Martin Family’s attorney, we’ve learned that the arrest of George Zimmerman all began when Tracy Martin, Trayvon’s father, wasn’t convinced by the factual information that he received from the Sanford Police Department about his son’s death.  Tracy Martin then reached out to attorneys, who had to file a lawsuit to get the 911 tapes. In the end, a community became united in its pursuit of justice.

Tracy Martin’s presence and dedication to his son – and in many ways all children – helps us to better understand how, when fathers are absent,  they leave children, families and OUR communities vulnerable.  Thank God Trayvon’s father was there to pursue justice.  This is not to say that his mother would not have done the same. It is to say that one less parent makes it more difficult to pursue freedom, justice and equality, and to be heard,  in a society that is often unfair and unjust to children, men and women of color.

Tracy Martin’s involvement and dedication to his child are a testament to how desperately black families need to be intact. The late Trayvon Martin’s parents are divorced, but the family is still together. The Martins provide a powerful example of why WE need both MOTHERS and FATHERS to protect OUR FAMILIES and FUTURE.

Tracy Martin, your struggle is our struggle; your child is our child. We support you; we pray for you, and we thank you!

@tofatherhood

Psalm 31:24