[Op-Ed] Skittles Doesn’t Owe Anything To Trayvon Martin
![[Op-Ed] Skittles Doesn’t Owe Anything To Trayvon Martin](http://cdn.inquisitr.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Skittles-Facebook-Page-e1332893599685.png)
The Facebook page for the Skittles brand is usually playful, for example a recent post proclaims, “if you think that people pretending to be statues are weird, you should check out the statues pretending to be people.” However, since the Florida death of Trayvon Martin, the page and its 21.6 million visitors have been bombarded not with clever ways to taste the rainbow, but instead an outpouring of support for Martin and the Martin family and monetary demands placed squarely against Skittles and its Wrigley Jr. parent company.
In case you’ve somehow managed to just crawl out from under a rock somewhere, Trayvon Martin was found murdered with Skittles in his pocket, one of the “possible weapons” that helped George Zimmerman defend himself under the state’s “Stand Your Ground” law.
In one comment a user writes:
SENSE TRAYVON MARTIN (R.i.p) Died With A Bag Of Skittles & The Man Who Shot & Killed Him Is Still Free…
They Should Put Trayvons Picture On Skittles Bags & Send The Proceeds To The Family 4 What They’re Going Thru ♥ # THEY NEED JUSTICE !
While another user chimes in:
“To the makers of SKITTLES this is just a thought “We the People feel a donation should be made to the family of Trayvon Martin R.I.P since his death your sales has sky rocketed.”
While yet another Skittles Facebook fan also requests money for the family:
“We would LOVE to hear your thoughts and concerns on the TRAYVON MARTIN case. We support you Skittles and would like for you to return that Support to the Murder of Trayvon Martin.”
The number of people leaving the same type of comments continues to multiply, and in the meantime, the real issues at hand are not even close to being fully dealt with without bringing Skittles in the the mix.
Here’s just one more users boycott suggestion which highlights everything that’s wrong with internet comments:
As a self-admitted left-leaning liberal writer who supports and fights against injustices whenever I can (specifically when those injustices are created because of stupid laws that leave too much to interpretation and therefore allow losers like George Zimmerman to be set free) I understand the pain and grief felt by supporters of Trayvon Martin. With that being said, putting ANY of the attention onto Skittles is stupid, dumb, idiotic and have I mentioned asinine, obnoxious and misplaced?
The problem with such attention is that it shifts the focus away from the actual wrong. Now we are not left questioning George Zimmerman but instead we focus our attention to Skittles, a company’s product which could have easily been replaced by Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups or a bag of Frito Lays on any given day.
There’s an argument that Skittles is reaping the benefits of Trayvon Martin’s death as people stand in solidarity with Trayvon by purchasing the product that was involved in his death, if only on a superficial level. The moment that act of solidarity brings with it demands for cash donations to the family it sullies the entire act, it turns it into a cheap platform in which solidarity becomes a commercialized attempt to fund raise.
As I sit here writing this op-ed Inquisitr’s Dan Evon brings up a good point. “Could you imagine if Skittles donated bags of skittles to all the protesters? They’d get ripped apart for taking advantage of the tragedy.” That’s because the Skittles tragedy DOESN’T EXIST, there is no platform for them to start engaging in because the company as an entity had NO PART in the death of Trayvon Martin, the moment they do ANYTHING they have taken the act and publicized it. The company did offer its condolences to the Martin family in a simple statement that reads:
We are deeply saddened by the news of Trayvon Martin’s death and express our sincere condolences to his family and friends. We also respect their privacy and feel it inappropriate to get involved or comment further as we would never wish for our actions to be perceived as an attempt of commercial gain following this tragedy.”
To offer any more than that as the company so aptly explains would commercialize the tragedy.
Let’s be bluntly honest here, Skittles didn’t kill Trayvon Martin, Skittles didn’t ask for the attention it received following the Trayvon Martin media blitz and Skittles in a very tasteful way asked that people leave it out of the equation and not commercialize the killing of Trayvon. Money isn’t going to solve the Martin killing, but perhaps a refusal to commercialize the tragedy on behalf of Skittles can at least push the attention back onto Florida’s horrendously worded “stand your ground” bill, George Zimmerman and the seemingly sloppy police investigation that followed the killing.
Most importantly, there are so many things to be mad about in that situation, it’s mind boggling that people are singling out Skittles for…. for I don’t know what.
Tags : florida, Skittles, Skittles Facebook Page, Stand Your Ground, Trayvon Martin
Posted: March 27, 2012
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Mar 28, 2012
That is so stupid. Skittles had nothing to do with his death. People will do anything for money.
Mar 28, 2012
Leave Skittles alooone!
Mar 28, 2012
Leave skittles out of it! That is ridiculous! What label of clothes was he wearing? Should we go after the maker of his clothes for a hand out? Who made the sidewalk he was on? Should we go after that company? What is with the "Give me" attitude?
Mar 28, 2012
this is stupid, first the hoodie, now skittles
Mar 28, 2012
What kind of hoddie was he wearing? What about his shoes? People can be really stupid. Leave the company alone.
Mar 28, 2012
Leave skittles out of it! Candy in his pocket had nothing to do with being murdered. Zimmerman did that all by himsef and should be arrested.
Mar 28, 2012
That's just a matter of opinion that anyone will make money off of anything. I feel skittles could get involved and its just a request and this is a world condition that all humans of all cultures and race are killing one another and so they would benefit greatly for the cause for world peace…This would be huge beyond them Profiting.
Mar 28, 2012
Skittles as a brand should not be forced to "donate" their profits to anyone unless they have the urge to do so on their own accord and I'm sure the Martin family would be embarrassed to know that people are trying to shake down this company in their family's name sake…
Mar 28, 2012
And why not go after that dastardly Arizona Tea company?
Mar 28, 2012
Anything for money or SKITTLES!
Mar 28, 2012
Unbelievable!!
Mar 28, 2012
Unbelievable!!
Mar 28, 2012
"by purchasing THE PRODUCT THAT KILLED HIM" — I didn't realize skittles were capable of pulling a trigger…. much less holding a gun and aiming it as well. People are buying skittles because they want to do so. Just like Treyvon WANTED skittles, so he bought them. This is a silly controversy at best and regardless if they donate to the family or not NOTHING is forcing these people to purchase skittles. Wake the hell up and stop being ignorant for a change…. Good Grief.
Mar 28, 2012
"by purchasing THE PRODUCT THAT KILLED HIM" — I didn't realize skittles were capable of pulling a trigger…. much less holding a gun and aiming it as well. People are buying skittles because they want to do so. Just like Treyvon WANTED skittles, so he bought them. This is a silly controversy at best and regardless if they donate to the family or not NOTHING is forcing these people to purchase skittles. Wake the hell up and stop being ignorant for a change…. Good Grief.
Mar 28, 2012
As somebody else here said what about the clothes he was wearing, what about who made the sidewalk, what about the ice tea he was drinking maybe they should all kick in too. People will do anything for money. It is not going to get justice, it is not going to bring him back, the only thing it will do is make the family rich.
Mar 28, 2012
As somebody else here said what about the clothes he was wearing, what about who made the sidewalk, what about the ice tea he was drinking maybe they should all kick in too. People will do anything for money. It is not going to get justice, it is not going to bring him back, the only thing it will do is make the family rich.
Mar 28, 2012
This is totally ridiculous. Skittles and it's parent company are in no way responsible for this tragedy. They made a wonderful statement offering their condolences and quite frankly that is more than enough. How in any way are they responsible to send money or donations? While I am very sorry and feel very badly for Trayvon's parents and family, and they have my heartfelt sympathy, Skittles is in no way obligated to donate or pledge money to this cause.
Mar 28, 2012
The only way I will stop buying skittles as of today is if The skittles Company in any way, shape, or form…gives the murdered boys family a dime! I feel really sad for the boys family….but why take it out on Skittles? This is just crazy talk!
Mar 28, 2012
That is fucking out of hand. Skittles doesn't owe anyone anything. They had nothing to do with his murder. Leave them alone. What are they gonna do next, go after the tea company?
Mar 28, 2012
I call that extortion.
Mar 28, 2012
With the clothing theory, if a woman wears a mini skirt, she is asking to be raped??? Please…..
Mar 28, 2012
Time to SELL my Skittles stock!
Mar 28, 2012
Dont you see that by getting involved, they will be getting it wrong? If the company did anything (other than their statement) then these same people "bashing" them for not will start bashing for it not being enough. Where do you draw the line?
Mar 28, 2012
I agree that it was handled quite well by Skittles…. and to think that they should be held responsible for his death is ridiculous …… the man that shot him and got away and the law that allowed him to get away with it is responsible and should be held accountable
Mar 28, 2012
Marie Lanza How about the man that witnessed a part of this horrible act! Where is the lynch mob?! I'm surprised he's not catching hell for not stopping it! Sheesh!
Mar 28, 2012
Ya come on the candy did not kill him.
Mar 28, 2012
Are these people for real? Why should skittles pay them anything? If I go on a trip, take a drink of pepsi and cause a wreck, should pepsi have to pay my family anything? Its the same thing! It doesn't make any sense! Everybody is out to make money. It makes me sick! What about the boy that died or the other man? These are the things that people need to be thinking about. Why is he dead and why he was killed!
Mar 28, 2012
Also if they want money to go to the family…. don't buy skittles… SEND MONEY TO THE FAMILY. What do I know about logic? sometimes things are so stupid they're funny.
Mar 28, 2012
I fear for the teen boys in my family as they wear hoodies all the time…..oh, wait….they're white. never mind.
Mar 28, 2012
Arizona Jean company should kick in a little, ya think?!
Mar 28, 2012
Denise Wasson Trawick Where in the hell is the guy that thought he was the Law. Is he still Being a coward and not coming forward?
Mar 28, 2012
That is one of the most ridiculous things I have heard, but does not surprize me. The news should have just said candy and a drink. Skittles should not even respond to such nonsense. They owe nothing! and most sane people would not join in such a boycott!
Mar 28, 2012
Doloros Mckee Just make sure they NEVER carry Skittles on their person! Hoodies aren't being extorted. You're good!
Mar 28, 2012
Although it may seem that some of us are making light of this tragedy, the truth is that argument IS ridiculous! The focus should only be on the facts and NOT on the child's ensemble or snacks! Get real!
Mar 28, 2012
Kudos to Skittles for attempting to (rightly) stay out of the chaos surrounding this case. They are no more at fault than the makers of Trayvon's pants, his shoes, the guy who gave him a haircut, or the phase of the moon. There is ONE guilty party here: George Zimmerman. Focus on him.
Mar 28, 2012
So, now it's guilty until proven innocent! Whew! I'm afraid to leave my house now! Thank goodness we haven't heard anything about the gun manufacturer! That's where the REAL money is! Oops! There I've gone and done it now!
Mar 28, 2012
Are you kidding me? Are people demanding donations to the family by the clothes companies that he was wearing too…or maybe is shoes? This is so stupid
Mar 28, 2012
Skittles did not kill Travon Martin. A gorrilla with a gun and a law that allows it did. Skittles and company owes the Martin Family nothing. If the company chooses to donate to the familt it is their decision. Leave them alone people.
Mar 28, 2012
I was thinking the same thing Deb! What brand of ice-tea was he drinking, clothes brand, etc. Very stupid that this was made an issue.
Mar 28, 2012
Going WAYYYY too far now…
Mar 28, 2012
How stupid and insane are these nuts. I buy Skittles because I like them, not because of some kid.
Mar 28, 2012
The kid liked Skittles. I'm sure he wouldn't like to see them go out of business over a boycott of them. I think that the people who want Skittles to pay should put their money where their mouth is and pay.
Mar 29, 2012
Trayvon Martin was not murdered, he attacked Zimmerman and got killed in the process, that is not murder.
Mar 29, 2012
Pictures of Zimmerman's "broken nose", hit to head????? nnnooooo. Even his friends who are "vouching" for him have not seen the injuries…hhhhhmmmmm. This "story" just came out…why not come out a month ago????
Mar 29, 2012
The reports and witnesses came out the night zimmerman was attacked, and it proved his claim to the DA, that is why he wasn't charged with a crime.
Mar 29, 2012
not yet, anyway.
Mar 31, 2012
Here's a thought. maybe if all these people protesting weren't buying the skittles the sales wouldn't sky rocket. Has anyone looked into the sales of Arizona Tea. Skittles doesn't owe anyone anything. they probably wish he had been carrying a bag of fritos instead.
Apr 5, 2012
So now there is a gorilla involved! And one with a gun no less! As I posted last month, I'm afraid to leave my house with the way ppl have tried and convicted this man based on what the "ratings hungry" media says! Or were you a witness that fateful night and if so, which way did the "gorilla" go? Why must folks attack another person w/o ALL the facts? Someone bring me some food, please. It's gonna be a long time before it's safe to go out!
Apr 5, 2012
Denise Wasson Trawick, if you are trying to be smart you missed the boat. That gorilla shot him because he had been wanting to kill a koon for a long time, his words not mine. You can make fun of other peoples comments but one thing I do hope is that you are not a racist cuz you sound like one! And w/o all the facts you have found him innocent! Glad you don't live anywhere near me!
Apr 5, 2012
Sorry to offend. I'm far from a racist you can ask my boyfriend. Boy, he would be in for a surpise! I've just read so many comments on this mans guilt and I don't think it's fair. As far as making fun… I don't apologize. Open forum.
Apr 5, 2012
I was defending being called a racist. Other party's post didn't post. Never mind…
Apr 6, 2012
And call me crazy but YES even w/o all the facts I am gonna stick with INNOCENT until PROVEN GUILTY! That's the way it should be and thank God for that!