After leaving the “Justice for Trayvon” rally, I felt moved. While listening to the speakers talk about injustice, my mind raced back to one of the most life-changing classes I have ever taken at Ohio University: African American Studies: Injustice in American Democracy. This class was taught by Dr. Grey, one of OU’s most treasured professors who retired at the end of the 2009–10 academic school year.
Dr. Grey was a 65-year-old juris doctor who marched with Martin Luther King Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement, and his presence in the classroom was unprecedented because he challenged his students and demanded respect. I will never forget a discussion we had during class and in front of my colleagues when Dr. Grey challenged me.
Dr. Grey called me Senator, because he knew of my political aspirations. Midterms were approaching and Grey subtly called me out to ask if I wanted the exam to be worth 50 or 100 points. This caught me off guard; why would he be asking me to determine the point value of a test? I deferred the questions to the class.
I told Grey that I would prefer that the entire class make the decision, and the majority vote will be my response. Wrong answer. After my diplomatic response, he went on a 30-minute rant on why it’s easy to do what is popular and difficult to take a stance for something that is contrary. Additionally, putting yourself in a vulnerable situation is hard, but can contribute to constructive change.
He challenged me to stand for something.
What I saw at the rally were people standing for something — black, white, foreign, straight, gay, it didn’t matter. We all were there to demand justice.
Seeing the crowd rally around each other and wanting this movement to carry on was inspiring. I will continue the movement and continue standing for what I believe is right. Trayvon and his family are in my prayers.
Thomas Raabe is a graduate student studying public administration.
