New Life_ an Exclusive with Sybrina Fulton, the mother of Trayvon Martin
1. 1/15/2015 New Life: an Exclusive with Sybrina Fulton, the mother of Trayvon Martin
http://nupulsemagazine.com/new-life-an-exclusive-with-sybrina-fulton-the-mother-of-trayvon-martin/ 1/7
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Campus, Events, Profile — November 7, 2014 at 1:29 pm
New Life: an Exclusive with Sybrina Fulton, the
mother of Trayvon Martin
By Matthew Wright and Simedar Jackson
He wore a crisp, ivory suit with a cerulean blue tie and a fresh hair cut. All that was left was to ceremoniously
pin the matching boutonniere to the lapel of that starched suit before he was ready for the prom. The only
problem was that this boy was not a prom-goer. He was 17-year-old Trayvon Martin and he was dressed to the
nines for his family to finally lay him to rest.
2. 1/15/2015 New Life: an Exclusive with Sybrina Fulton, the mother of Trayvon Martin
http://nupulsemagazine.com/new-life-an-exclusive-with-sybrina-fulton-the-mother-of-trayvon-martin/ 2/7
“I thought the worst time was when I got the telephone call,” said Sybrina Fulton, Trayvon’s mother, pausing
to maintain her composure. “But the worst time was that Saturday at the funeral when I had to witness my baby
boy laying in a casket.”
On the night of February 26, 2012, Trayvon Martin was returning from the local 7-11 in Sanford, Florida, with
an Arizona iced-tea and a bag of skittles in tow. It was raining. He chatted on the phone with a friend as he
walked wearing a grey sweatshirt with the hood pulled over his head. A neighborhood watchmen, George
Zimmerman, spotted Trayvon. Believing him to be suspicious, Zimmerman began a pursuit that ended in the
death of unarmed Trayvon Martin.
Tuesday night, Sybrina sat in the basement of Northwestern University’s (NU) Cahn Auditorium waiting to
deliver the annual State of the Black Union address hosted by For Members Only, NU’s premier black student
alliance. Sybrina sat poised with a gentle face wearing a camel skirt suit with matching boots and an abundance
of purple accessories. Her wrist was full of black bracelets some reading “I am Trayvon Martin. You are
Trayvon Martin” in white embossed letters. “I never take these off,” she shook her wrist.
Sybrina Fulton speaking at
FMO’s State of the Black
Union.
Two years of dealing with the media’s frenzy and unceasing attempts to get answers prepared her for the
night’s event. “I know you’ve got questions,” She smiled and pointed her finger. “Well ask them!”
Sybrina is resilient. Remaining calm and composed as she recounted her thoughts not only on her youngest
son’s death but also how gun violence and racial profiling continue to affect America.”The black men are
scared they really are,” she shook her head. “They don’t know whether to walk slow or walk fast or not walk at
all.”
Though strong, Sybrina assured she will always be in the healing process. She weighed all the events she
would miss out on with Trayvon. Prom. Graduation. Her eldest sister Penelope (Penny) Samuels teared up.
294 0 1OJ Tropicana ‑ Unchained (feat. Hillary Dawson & Anne
3. 1/15/2015 New Life: an Exclusive with Sybrina Fulton, the mother of Trayvon Martin
http://nupulsemagazine.com/new-life-an-exclusive-with-sybrina-fulton-the-mother-of-trayvon-martin/ 3/7
“She’s sensitive.” Sybrina says, rubbing her sister’s shoulder.
A major part of her healing stems from creating and developing the Trayvon Martin Foundation, a not-for-
profit organization under the auspices of the Miami Foundation that brings awareness to the impact of violent
crime and provides programming, support and advocacy to other affected families. She describes the
foundation as a family affair where everyone plays their part. “Even my quadriplegic brother still puts in his
four hours,” chuckled Sabrina.
On stage, Sybrina did not back down from the tough topics. “There are some people who value human life and
there is a group of people who don’t value black life. There’s a lot of things I could take off right now-this
flower, my skirt even my boots, but I cannot take off the color of my skin.” She was steadfast in her
affirmation that her son’s death was racially motivated but did not let the issue fall into the category of
carefully ignored racial issues. “This is not just an African American problem. We are citizens of the United
States. This is an American problem!” The crowd erupted in agreement.
Since Trayvon’s death it has become even more clear that gun violence, police brutality and racial profiling is
truly an American problem. The death toll of black teenagers continues to rise, recently claiming Jordan Davis,
Renisha Mcbride and Michael Brown.
NU-NABJ Vice President of Chapter Relations,
Sierra Boone, moderated a Q&A with Sybrina.
The shooting of Michael Brown by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson in August, prompted both peaceful
protest and violent riots. Thousands gathered in the Ferguson area to show their support for Brown and his
family, sporting paraphernalia with slogans like “Don’t Shoot” and “Black Lives Matter.” These
demonstrations garnered mass media attention and furthered the conversation on racial discourse in America.
In response, Sybrina penned a heartfelt letter to Brown’s family, offering solace and wisdom from her own
experience dealing with the hopelessness of losing a child. She credited a letter she received from Tupac
Shakur’s mother, Afeni Shakur, for motivating her to extend her support yet felt that she was not yet ready to
compose written discourse until the events of Ferguson unfolded. “It was Leslie, Michael Brown’s mother, that
made me say, I had to write this letter. I gotta help another mother,” said Sybrina.
Her contributions to the crisis in Ferguson did not end with written words. In a stance of solidarity, Sybrina and
eight members of the Trayvon Martin Foundation ventured to the heart of the turmoil and participated in peace
4. 1/15/2015 New Life: an Exclusive with Sybrina Fulton, the mother of Trayvon Martin
http://nupulsemagazine.com/new-life-an-exclusive-with-sybrina-fulton-the-mother-of-trayvon-martin/ 4/7
rallies in both East Saint Louis, IL and Saint Louis, MO. “We even went to [Michael Brown’s] memorial and
laid out teddy bears,” said Sybrina whose eldest son, Javaris, accompanied her to the city to pay his respects.
Sybrina was also not afraid to offer her criticism on the events in Ferguson.“I am for rallies and I am all for
protest and for signing petitions but I am also for peace. As long as it is in a respectable manner. I just don’t
think that they are going to be as effective by tearing up their own communities,” she said about the burning of
the Quiktrip convenience store during the August riots. She was adamant on her belief in the “ask”, or knowing
what was being demanded by the protestors and the greater community. Sybrina continued by stressing the
need for organizations and church leaders to serve as mediums for communities to voice their needs and see
that they are met.
On the day of Michael Brown’s funeral, CNN aired an emotional interview with Sybrina, Leslie and Valerie
Bell the mother of Sean Bell. Bell was murdered at his bachelor party after police reported suspicious activity
in 2006. He was unarmed.These women comforted each other and shared their own experiences being a part of
an exclusive club they had no intention being a part of. For viewers, this moving spectacle gave face to the
despair and growing tiredness Black Americans feel over the devaluing of black life.
A flash of resentment washes over Sybrina’s face at the mere mention of George Zimmerman’s name. She has
yet to forgive him, assured in her belief that his motives were strictly based on race and not what her son was
wearing. “I think that had Trayvon been Caucasian, had he been white, [Zimmerman] would not have followed
him.” said Sybrina rigidly. “ I don’t want people to think that we are that naive to believe that it was not about
race because he said it himself that they always get away.”
At first, Sybrina truly believed it was the hoodie that ultimately caused all the despair. But one day while
sitting in the airport, she looked around and realized- everyone was wearing a hoodie; men, women and people
of every color. It steeled her resolve on the tragedy that is racial profiling. “Our men have the right to walk
down the street without being stalked, pursued and killed,” she said adamantly to the crowd. “They have the
right to listen to music- even if it is too loud!”
Though Sybrina has endured an unfathomable loss, perhaps what is most amazing about her is her
vulnerability; her willingness to be honest, at times brutally so, to convey her opinions. While she may take a
break to gather herself, she captivates her audiences with her raw emotion. She is willing to wear her pain on
her sleeve. The pain over the loss of her son. Pain over the loss of black men and women due to senseless gun
violence. Pain over the constant struggle of Black people in America.
But with that pain, comes the positive and hard work ethic that drives Sybrina, along with her family and
friends, in their continuous efforts to promote awareness and advocate for change. “Even with the loss of my
son, I’m still encouraged and I know that this happened for a bigger purpose.” She embraces every new
connection, looking forward to the many lives that she can touch with her story. “I lost one son, but gained
millions of sons so I have a lot of work to do.”
5. 1/15/2015 New Life: an Exclusive with Sybrina Fulton, the mother of Trayvon Martin
http://nupulsemagazine.com/new-life-an-exclusive-with-sybrina-fulton-the-mother-of-trayvon-martin/ 5/7
Editor in Chief/President and Vice President,
Matthew Wright and Simedar Jackon, pose with
Sybrina Fulton
Tags BlackcampusCNNfergusonFMOFor Members OnlyMatthew WrightMichael
BrownNABJNorthwesternNUNU-NabjnupulsePULSESean BellSierra BooneSimedar JacksonSybrinasybrina
fultonTrayvontrayvon martinTrayvon Martin Foundation
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6. 1/15/2015 New Life: an Exclusive with Sybrina Fulton, the mother of Trayvon Martin
http://nupulsemagazine.com/new-life-an-exclusive-with-sybrina-fulton-the-mother-of-trayvon-martin/ 6/7
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