Obama: ‘Trayvon Martin Could Have Been Me 35 Years Ago’
In a surprise appearance on Friday, President Obama made an emotional speech about race in America following the acquittal of George Zimmerman, explaining how the death of Trayvon Martin felt personal to him.
“Another way of saying that is, Trayvon Martin could’ve been me, 35 years ago,” Obama said. “There are very few African-American men who haven’t had the experience of being followed in a department store — that includes me.”
Zimmerman fatally shot the 17-year-old Martin on the night of Feb. 26, 2012. Zimmerman, 29, was a neighborhood watch volunteer in Sanford, Fla., a gated community where Martin was staying at the time. In the weeks following the incident, he was accused of second-degree murder and manslaughter. A jury found him not guilty of both charges on Saturday.
Watch Obama’s full speech below.
What do you think of Obama’s sentiments? Share your reactions in the comments below.
Image: Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images
Read more: http://mashable.com/2013/07/19/obama-trayvon-martin/
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