I wanted to add a couple of points of emphasis to the March 27 article regarding the Trayvon Martin rally at Carnegie Mellon University ("Outrage at CMU Rally"). I was impressed not just by the passion and the concern but by the intelligence and thoughtfulness of the speakers.
While "We are Trayvon" was the primary catchphrase, one of the speakers also noted how we "are also George Zimmerman," all flawed by stereotypical thoughts of others. There was a constant call to political action by most of the speakers: to register, to vote, to do more than simply attend a rally -- to be a full citizen, with the responsibilities that come with citizenship.
I'm 53 and attended the rally to show my support for the cause and the crowd (which included a number of high school students -- a good thing). Outrage is so easy for a tragedy such as this. The speakers and the hundreds of people there spoke the outrage, but also the need for empathy, action and responsibility.
ALAN STEINBERG
Forest Hills
First Published: March 28, 2012, 4:00 a.m.