As part of the observance of Black History Month, Fredonia will host, “The Trayvon Martin Story,” by Tracy Martin, Trayvon’s father, on Wednesday, Feb. 11.
The event is free and open to the public in King Concert Hall. Doors to the concert hall from the lobby will open at 6:30 p.m. and the presentation will begin at 7 p.m., to be followed by a brief reception. Doors to the lobby of King Concert Hall will open at 6 p.m.
Led by the Black Student Union, Fredonia is emphasizing social justice as one of several themes during the month-long observance, and feels that Mr. Martin will make an important contribution to the discussion.
Martin lost his son, Trayvon, in 2012, following a confrontation with neighborhood watch captain George Zimmerman. With a focus on transforming the tragedy into positive change, Martin now works to ensure the protection of all children. Trayvon’s death and the deaths of Eric Garner, John Crawford, Tamir Rice, and others, have sparked national conversations about race relations in the U.S.
In his presentation, Martin will share a message to all parents of how important it is to let children know how much they are valued and loved, no matter how they are depicted in society. He also will emphasize the importance of proper conflict resolution techniques, suggesting tools that his audience might employ in both their personal and professional lives. By sharing his personal and powerful stories, he will encourage groups to remain educated and continue conversations about civil rights in order to become catalysts for social justice.
Martin’s appearance at Fredonia is sponsored by the Black Student Union, the President’s Office, the Ethnic Studies Program, the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, Social Work and Criminal Justice; the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; the Women’s Student Union; and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
