‘My life matters’: 8-year-old Pittsburgh boy leading movement for change

PITTSBURGH — An 8-year-old boy from Pittsburgh is leading a movement — one to prove his life matters.

As cars go by on Lincoln Avenue in Bellevue, drivers honk their horns in support. On the corner in front of the Pizza Station, 8-year-old Andre Barron stands tall. His shirt, his sign, his message is the same. His life matters.

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“I don’t like racism,” Barron said. “Some Black and brown people are dying for no reason because of the color of their skin.”

Barron stands there, rain or shine, several days a week. He said he got the idea from his mom. She and Barron’s big brother join him.

“I want to see everyone being equal,” Anthony Barron said, “so that my brother can get older and something doesn’t happen to him.”

It’s not just Andre’s family supporting him, the community is too. Black, white, young and old stand with him holding signs that say, “I won’t be quiet so you can be comfortable,” “We Stand With You,” and “Our Friends Matter.”

“To be a little boy and just to think, ‘I want to grow old, I want to live,.' I can’t imagine desiring that at that age,” said Alyssa Gerlack, who joined Andre’s protest. “That’s something he’s going through. I want him to grow old, him and everybody’s else.”

Gerlack, who is white, said she believes it’s up to white people now to make sure Andre’s life really does matter.

“I think the change really has to start with us,” Gerlack added. “Black people have been asking for change for 400 years, and where is it? So, it’s our turn. It’s been our turn.”

As the horns honk and the drivers yell encouragement, Andre said he feels the support to keep standing — for himself and others.

“It makes me feel happy. It makes me feel like they got my back,” Andre said. “We end racism together. One heart and one mind changed can help change the world.”

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