ESSENCE February cover star Dwyane Wade is the latest celebrity to chime in on the Trayvon Martin tragedy.
The Miami Heat player says the tragedy is especially hurtful to him as a father. “This hits home,” the father of two told the Associated Press. “Last Christmas, all my oldest son wanted as a gift was hoodies. So when I heard about this a week ago, I thought of my sons,” he said. “I’m speaking up because I feel it’s necessary that we get past the stereotypes of young, Black men and especially with our youth.”
Over the weekend, 13 players from the Miami Heat, including Wade, paid tribute to the slain teen by wearing hoodies and writing several messages on their shoes. “RIP Trayvon Martin,” wrote LeBron James. “This is worldwide,” added Wade. “We want to be part of it until justice is served.”