The world seemed to stop for a moment as the verdict was announced. After months of people joined together from all backgrounds to discuss this case and seek justice for Trayvon Martin, it all boiled down to a decision from six jurors.

As explained by the Rev. Al Sharpton and other analysts on MSNBC in post-trial coverage, Martin’s story is a defining moment for millennials, much like the stories of Emmitt Till and Medgar Evers are for previous generations.

Ultimately, our generation is the catalyst to continue the conversations from this trial and ensure the answers don’t lead to dead-end plans of action.

Since its start, this case has sparked intense emotions across the country, especially among those about the same age as young Trayvon, who was killed at 17 by George Zimmerman while walking home unarmed.

From the day this story broke nearly a year and a half ago, with pivotal topics like profiling at its core, millennials have had the opportunity to weigh in on the trial via social media and ultimately declare where they stand as a generation on such profound issues.

Mere seconds after a not-guilty verdict was handed down and Zimmerman was acquitted of all charges, young people took to Twitter and Facebook to take a stance and display a swarm of emotions including sorrow and resentment.

Defense attorney Mark O’Mara declared in an interview on CNN on Friday that no matter the outcome of this trial, there would be no winners.

But the fact is that Martin is dead and Zimmerman now has all legal freedoms — including his gun — handed back to him.

But what about Trayvon? What about his parents, Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, and his brother Jahvaris Fulton? How are they supposed to believe that justice has been served for their loved one?

Fortunately for the Martin family, all hope is not lost. Civil rights charges through the U.S. Department of Justice are being heavily pursued with the aide of the NAACP. A victory can be found in the aftermath of this trial, which could be even more effective than a singular court ruling. The only thing standing in the way of such triumphs is society itself.

But we as a generation must make the effort to work toward progress and change.

We’ve done it before at Syracuse University in front of Hendricks Chapel, shortly after Trayvon’s passing, by holding peaceful vigils and standing together in solidarity. Moments like this must be repeated, and the efforts toward change must never cease.

History shows that this trial was not supposed to happen. Zimmerman was not supposed to be arrested. The death of Martin was to be swept under the rug like the death of Jordan Davis, another teen killed in Florida in 2012.

But when our generation stood up and refused to allow Trayvon’s story to be silenced, an air of justice was breathed into a situation that otherwise may not have seen its day in court.

If we can unite as a generation in this aftermath and continue constructive conversation with meaningful action, we hold the key to alter perceptions on race in this nation, to ensure that there does not have to be another tragedy like Trayvon’s.

Nina Rodgers is a sophomore sociology major. Her column appears weekly. She can be reached at nmrodger@syr.edu. 

Published on July 17, 2013 at 9:24 am