Dr Phil: Martin Luther King III Race Relations & Trayvon Martin Death

Dr Phil: Justice For Trayvon Rally & Martin Luther King III

When Trayvon Martin was killed coming home from a convenience store, George Zimmerman’s actions set up a huge discussion on civil rights. Martin Luther King III helped organize supporters for a “Justice for Trayvon” rally. He told Dr Phil that the nation is concerned about Trayvon Martin’s case.

King said that Trayvon’s death means our country is still dealing with the issues of race and civil rights. Dr Phil said that one of the jurors told the media that race was not an issue in their deliberations and never came up. King said he would like to believe that, but he believes that it was.

Dr Martin Luther King Jr talked about living in a world where his children would be judged on the value of their character and not the color of their skin. His son, King III, said that our society still judges young black men. Those judgements are where the problem lies.  He said that every man, woman and child has the right to walk down the street for a bag of Skittles without the fear of being shot or breaking the law.

He said that America is full of wonderful people, but were are at a troubling and confusing time in history. Trayvon’s death brought all of that to the surface, where it’s now time to deal with it.

Dr Phil Speaks to Trayvon Martin’s Family

Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin spoke to Dr Phil about their son and what his death has meant. Tracy said that he remembers his son as a loving and out going person. He doesn’t believe that his son did something wrong and hates the way that people have been persecuting his son.

Tracy said that Trayvon saved his life in 2004. He went into the kitchen and put on grease for chicken and French fries. A towel caught on fire and he knocked his pot of grease off the stove. Tracy called for Trayvon, who then dragged him out of the home. His lower extremities were horribly burnt, but he was alive. He regrets that he wasn’t there to save his son’s life.

Dr Phil: Trayvon Martin’s Brother

Trayvon’s brother said that his brother was not a violent person. He was not a person that would jump on George Zimmerman and try to kill him. Zimmerman’s brother came out and said that Trayvon was armed with “a sidewalk” and “his nose breaking fists.” Journalist Roland Martin said this is absolutely ridiculous.

Sybrina Fulton doesn’t believe that Trayvon was a violent person, but that he was a victim. She and Tracy have a hard time believing how Zimmerman would have been killed by a small teenager. Roland Martin agrees and said that the public shouldn’t prejudge black teens.

The day that Trayvon went missing, Sybrina got a call from Tracy. They had filed a missing person report that morning because Trayvon had been missing since 8:30 p.m. the previous night. Tracy called her again when she was on her way home, saying that Trayvon had been killed.

George Zimmerman: Trayvon’s Death Was God’s Plan

In an interview with Fox News’s Sean Hannity, George Zimmerman wondered if Trayvon Martin’s death was in God’s plan. His best friend said that he meant it was God’s plan for Zimmerman to survive. Trayvon’s parents were sickened by the statement. Zimmerman said an apology to the family in court, saying he didn’t know how old Trayvon was and thought he was older. Sybrina said that his 911 tapes show that he knew Trayvon was a child. She doesn’t believe that his apology was sincere. Tracy wondered why it took him over a month to say sorry.

Trayvon’s Parents Struggle to Move On

Sybrina Fulton said she feels like she is missing an arm after her son’s death. She feels she has a knife inside of her and she’s on the verge of a nervous breakdown. She’s only visited her son’s grave once and fears the tears that come when she goes there. Dr Phil told her to think about what Trayvon would do if he saw her today. She said her son didn’t deserve to die because his only crime was wearing a hoodie and carrying Skittles. She told Dr Phil that she hopes her son is with God.