Skittles For Trayvon: Racism Analysis

“Racism is man's gravest threat to man - the maximum of hatred for a minimum of reason.” (Heschel,1). Racism is one of society’s most prevalent issues that has not been resolved. Also, racism has developed more issues and caused other issues to arise. Many activists have brung awareness to societal issues through art, like poet Lillian Bertram. Lillian Bertram is an African-American poet who has received many awards and nominations in poetry. In Lillian Bertram’s Skittles for Trayvon: A Diminishing Suite in Verse, Bertram expresses the causes of racism in society, but more specifically American society.

In 2012, a tragedy struck America but more specifically, the African-American community; where an authority figure killed an African-American

The Singing Boy is representing the person who’s being discriminated against. Despite, the boys joyful and boastful attitude as he respectively and rightfully walks, he is still discriminated against. The Troubled Man represents the authority figure in society, typically police officers. The man is labeled trouble because of his indignant demeanor. Those who discriminate based on appearance usually are those who are resentful and hateful. The Troubled man does not deserve to be on the pedestal as an authority figure. When one serves as a leader and protector of a community, there must be standards. An important standard that should be met is openness. Openness is essential in society because it gives every person a better understanding of everyone else. Being open to others way of life, way of talking, way of walking, and way of dressing will allow one to not interpret the wrong thing. Finally, showing Bertrams point in discriminating against others who do not appear to your typical

For instance, ever since the emancipation of slaves, white Americans have treated African Americans and other minorities as inferior. Also, many African American traditions and beliefs have been ridiculed and interpreted as negative and cruel principles. The stereotype of a criminal has been linked to dark skin color which has been causing police officers to be more violent with African Americans. Many police brutality cases have been underway since the Civil Rights Era in the United States. The tragedies are affecting millions of lives in every community nationwide. Some are currently afraid to do many activities because of fear that their lives will become another tragedy. In the poem, the Singing boy represents the innocent lives taken away because of racism, discrimination, and misunderstanding. Bertram uses incredible detail to create imagery when discussing the murder of the victim in her poem. The incident in the poem depicted many similar tragedies in American