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Health & Fitness

The Trayvon Martin Bandwagon

It's time we put behind the myths and rumors and deal with the facts. So many folks are quick to jump on a bandwagon, but don't want to help feed the horses who pull it.

Like many of you, we have watched the wide media attention on the Trayvon Martin case.

This is a case which like many, needs to be investigated before remarks are made. Coming with more than 20 years in law enforcement, I like to follow a procedure much like the character Joe Friday's: "The facts ma'am, just the facts." Speculations and rumors from hearsay should never be acceptable.

I remember the taking-a-picture-in-a-hoodie phase. Everyone took pictures of themselves in hoodies. Often adding quotes like "Do I look suspect?" to the photo. I added my own photo sporting a hoodie to make another statement. My photo caption stated, "I voted so I can wear a hoodie."

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I made this statement due to the fact that in Chicagoland alone the summer has yet to arrive, but every evening someone is murdered. In the South Suburbs of Chicago, residential burglaries, armed robberies and home invasions are on the rise.

Where is the public outcry for those victims? Where are the community activist making quotes and statements to protect our citizens? But let some event happen, which has questions still unanswered, and it goes viral.

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I do not know Trayvon Martin or Zimmerman. I do not have a personal interest in the case, but follow just like everyone else. What is scary to me and I am sure many of you is, we have victims living next door to us and it does not make national news. A child is beaten to death or an individual's suicide in our community takes place and the victims may have not known what resources were there to help them.

Remember this, if Tinley Park Mental Health is closed, you will find many individuals wandering around our streets without treatment. Where is the bandwagon to help parents with autistic children? Senior programs are cut due to budget issues, yet double-dipping pension-grabbing officials remain under the radar.

But when something is newsworthy and offers a chance to make a fashion statement, let's get out there and become vocal.

It's a very strong statment to say, "I am Trayvon Martin" and you never met this person, or to question if George Zimmerman murdered the young man or was defending himself. If you were not there and involved with this situation, how do you know?

So many folks are quick to jump on a bandwagon but don't want to help feed the horses who pull it. I have heard many attempt to say this was a racial crime. Others are saying a police cover-up. I believe we have come a very long way in this country compared to our ancestors. Everyone has a chance to fair education and quality of life if you so choose.

The old saying "It takes a village to raise a child" is gone and outdated. Many villages are broken, along with some individuals who got away from true family values. Some prefer government to tell us how to run our household. Neighbors are afraid to tell a child to stop using profanity or destroying someone's property. Where do we go from here? What is the future of our neighborhoods and some of our children?

In Cook County's recent election alone, voter turnout was below 25 percent. I have told individuals, your vote is a voice. I also told those who complained about programs cuts and officials getting re-elected or elected into office because some folks decide to stay home. True, some candidates did not excite folks to come out and vote for them. You can't blame it on the weather, it was 70 degrees.

So for those who have not voted this election cycle, take a seat because your voice will not be heard. For those of us who still care about our communities and neighborhoods, you can put on a hoodie and protest about anything you want.

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