I was in Panama City Beach, FL when I heard the news – Zimmerman acquitted of all charges. One man free, another one dead. Many Americans feel the verdict was unjust. Maybe it was. Some believe that the
prosecution did not tell the story well or there wasn't enough evidence to support conviction.

There was a trial with a specific outcome. For those opposed to the outcome, it is important to have their voices heard – to take to the streets in protest and demonstration. To show our nation that there is a voice of concern and desperation for change. Through peaceful, thought-out, meaningful expressions of love for the fallen. 
 
Los Angeles, July 15, 2013 - Protesters riot in the Crenshaw District in Los Angeles, California after Zimmerman was found not guilty of murdering Trayvon Martin. Protestors violently attacked bystanders, vandalized cars in traffic, stormed businesses, threw rocks and bricks at police and squad cars. 

Through radical actions in Los Angeles, these protestors became the monster they claim
Zimmerman to be. It dishonor’s the memory of Trayvon Martin. To protest violence with violence is wrong. Doing so destroys the credibility of the argument. We must battle racism, bias and prejudices the right way, legally and peacefully. 
 
Martin Luther King Jr. has been an inspiration for many Americans. He was known for combating racial inequality through nonviolence. King was inspired by the non-violent
activism of Gandhi. During a radio address in India, King said, “... the method of nonviolent resistance is the most potent weapon available to oppressed people in their struggle for justice and human dignity.” 

It’s a bright, cool morning in Deer Park, Texas. There’s a buzz across school as
students make their way to their classrooms. A TV is placed in every classroom on campus. Christa McAuliffe, the first member of the Teacher in Space Project, along with American engineer Judith Resnik will be the second and third women placed in space by NASA. I sit patiently in my third period Astronomy class, waiting for this historic event to occur. The countdown proceeds until finally, liftoff of the Space Shuttle Challenger and its brave crew of seven! Cheers can be heard down
the hall and across the school. Everyone watches as Challenger climbs higher and higher. And then there is silence. We watch as the shuttle explodes and its beautiful smoke fume forms a twisting path of death. 
 
They are gone, all of them. 
 
That was a difficult time for our space program. The shuttles were grounded for nearly three years and NASA had lost its credibility. Many Americans did not want to have women in space again, much less a school teacher. We had to protect America’s daughters and leave space exploration to the men. 

Fortunately, today’s NASA feels differently. In recent times, a new group of astronaut candidates have been chosen. This class of eight includes four women and represents the highest percentage of women in any previous class. According to NASA's director of
flight crew operations, Janet Kavandi, these women were selected based on
qualifications, not gender - Christina Hammock, Nicole Mann, Anne McClain and
Jessica Meir.

Christina Hammock is a station chief for the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).  Nicole Mann and Anne McClain are both Navy test pilots. Jessica Meir has an Oceanography doctorate and is an assistant professor of anesthesia.

With the Mars mission on the horizon, it’s exciting to know we will have the most dedicated and qualified individuals on board. It is important to continue space exploration and include women. Currently, 12 out of 49 active NASA astronauts are women. Each of these women honors the lives and sacrifice of our early pioneers, McAuliffe and Resnik.