The hashtag #19ForTrayvon paid tribute to Trayvon Martin, a teen killed in Florida in a case that polarized the nation. He would have been 19, Wednesday.
Colorlines began the hashtag.
Today would've been Trayvon Martin's 19th birthday. Tweet about what you did at age 19 & wish Trayvon were alive to do, using #19forTrayvon.
Many joined in, telling short, poignant stories.
#19forTrayvon At 19 I joined the US Marine Corps and served my country for 4 years.... Trayvon would have made a fine Marine.... #RIP
#19forTrayvon - At 19, everything seemed possible and life seemed infinite. It was like just being born.
I was eating cheeseburgers and going to a movie for my 19th birthday. That's what should be happening at 19. #19forTrayvon @Colorlines
At 19, one special hoodie was my prized possession. Wore it proudly, not aware that it made me a target #19forTrayvon
I was a university student fumbling my way towards my true passions, towards making my mark in the world #19forTrayvon @colorlines
Trayvon might've joined @Dreamdefenders or @BYP_100. He might've been fighting injustice rather that being the victim of one. #19forTrayvon
At 19, I was afforded the opportunity to make mistakes and learn from them. #19forTrayvon @Colorlines
I was singing in choir and playing soccer at 19, and wish Trayvon was alive to do what he loved. @Colorlines #19forTrayvon
The tribute trended in the U.S. for a time Wednesday.
Trend Alert: #19forTrayvon. More trends at http://t.co/IvleifTamy #trndnl
At 19 I was organizing my first Take Back The Night Rally @Colorlines #19ForTrayvon
At 19, I participated in a hunger strike with students and workers to support security guards on campus @Colorlines #19forTrayvon
At 19 I was in college, often the only Black man in my classes, pushing the boundary to not be 1/3 Black folks incarcerated. #19forTrayvon
Happy Birthday Trayvon. Thinking about all the things my dad did after 18. #19forTrayvon... http://t.co/HgNGVNxUqi
To many, the messages were bittersweet.
I'm so conflicted reading the #19forTrayvon tweets. Beautiful thread, but incredibly sobering to see the possibilities Trayvon missed out on
”How do you grieve?” “You celebrate a person’s life by living your life fully.” - @AsraNomani #19forTrayvon