Whether you like him or not, here’s what I know for sure.
Had the Rev. Al Sharpton not journeyed to Sanford, Fla., in the aftermath of the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, George Zimmerman — the so-called “neighborhood watchman” — would never have been prosecuted.
The death of Martin inspired a new wave of activism on college campuses, bringing Black, White, Asian, Latinx students together to put a spotlight on racial injustices.
There was international outrage and calls for the elimination of Florida’s stand-your-ground law — which had protected Zimmerman — with groups like the Dream Defenders pledging to remain at the Florida Capitol until the law was repealed. 
Fast forward six years later, and not only has stand-your-ground not been repealed, but it had been used yet again to provide sanctuary for Michael Drejka a 48-year-old man who shot Markeis McGlockton, a 28-year-old Black man, to death in Clearwater, Fla.
According to reports, Drejka— who is White — confronted McGlockton’s girlfriend, Britany Jacobs, and their three young children who were parked in a handicapped spot outside of a store.
When McGlockton, who is Black, emerged from the store with his 5-year-old son, an argument between him and Drejka ensued. There was some shoving and then Drejka pulled out a handgun and shot McGlockton in the chest. McGlockton later died at the hospital.
