My experience with Sybrina Fulton, the mother of our beloved Trayvon Martin

Here with Sybrina Fulton, the courageous mother of Trayvon Martin, at the First African Baptist Church in Philadelphia.(Photo: FirstWork Media)

Over this past weekend, I had the opportunity to meet and have a brief one on one conversation with Sybrina Fulton, the courageous mother of our slain young brother Trayvon Martin.

Ms. Fulton means a lot to Black people and the experience is one that I will not soon forget. 

To be able to look into her eyes and see clearly that our sister still feels pain when thinking or talking about her son Trayvon. There is nothing like a mother’s love. They say time heals all wounds, but it doesn’t. Despite her pain, Ms. Fulton carries herself with a quiet dignity and strength that is remarkable and admirable.

I have watched women such as Coretta Scott King, Betty Shabazz, and Mamie Till, the mother of Emmett Till, and what I’ve observed is they have an inner peace and power that comes from understanding that they represent something greater than themselves because of their unique connections to individuals who have become martyred icons. Tragic circumstances forced them into those positions thrusting them into the merciless and unenviable world of those with highly visible public profiles. That was not their desire. They wanted to be wives and mothers and experience long life and old age with their husbands. In the case of Mamie Till, surely she wanted to see her son grow into an adult right?

Ms. Fulton represents the greatest injustice that we have witnessed in quite some time. She exudes a firm confidence and walks with a steady determination. Justice is coming and her son Trayvon will not be forgotten.

Minister Farrakhan shared some private words with her after his message at First African Baptist Church in Philadelphia on June 22. Tears rolled down her cheeks as he spoke to her, yet she remained strong. I will not share those private words. It will be up to Ms. Fulton to share them at a later date and time if it is her desire.

Despite all she has been through, and knowing the formidable challenges that lie ahead on the road to justice, she marches on in the memory of her son Trayvon and—as you can see in the picture—smiles. 

I find myself in awe, strangely bordering on amazement, when I think about the strength of the Black woman.

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