Hug a Hoodie... (Informal/Nonfiction Writing Post #1)

Hug a Hoodie: What the U.K. Teaches Us About Making a Sweatshirt a Symbol

A hoodie is not supposed to determine who you are or what you are doing. But, apparently in the U.K. it does determine who you are, well at least socially. In the article, “Hug a Hoodie: What the U.K. Teaches Us About Making a Sweatshirt a Symbol” it talks about how people judge others by what they are wearing. In the U.K it is not normal for a teen to be wearing a hoodie, unless he/she is rebellious. These stereotypes were what caused some of the outbreaks against Zimmerman. Trayvon Martin lost his life because he looked “suspicious”. Zimmerman was obviously profiling Trayvon. The responses to his death were outstanding and important. They demonstrated what people could do, and how far they would go to show it. The Hoodie March in NYC a couple of days ago was also a big event in memory of Trayvon’s death, and mimicking what Trayvon was wearing the day he died.

The author of the article wants to share his idea that profiling is very dangerous and can be mortal. Zimmerman had watched Trayvon and had made a quick recall that he was up to no good because he had a hoodie on. How did Zimmerman know he had something unsafe inside his pockets? What if Trayvon was cold and needed to put his hand in his pocket? A radio speaker Geraldo Rivera said on the radio:

  “I am urging the parents of black and Latino youngsters, particularly, to not let their young children go out wearing hoodies,” Rivera said on his show Friday. “I think the hoodie is as much responsible for Trayvon Martin’s death as George Zimmerman was.”

Rivera had a negative feedback. But, why wouldn’t he? In other words he is presuming that Trayvon had caused his on death, because he had been wearing a hoodie that night. It is also pretty racist if a certain race is not allowed to wear certain clothing because it could get them killed. River deserved to be reprimanded by his son and half the nation. Trayvon was not murdered or assault by his movements, it was purely out of some kind of racism, in my opinion.

Trayvon’s death made a big commotion. But the commotion had a purpose. Trayvon had died and his killer was still around. Florida was to doing anything, the only support Trayvon’s parents were was form the general public.  This is a good example of how the nation has supported others. The part that amazes me the most is the power of the country, there have been rallies, petitions, hoodie marches and social media has also been used to raise awareness of violence and bias against African Americans. When there is an injustice, and many realize that there must be is a national outcry, like Emmett Till’s case. Justice will come when the time is right. Everything takes its time and patience and Trayvon’s parents will get the justice they need.