The cover image of a hoodie is the work of David Hammons , first exhibited in 1993 . Hammons ' " In the Hood " is a disembodied hood from a generic dark green hoodie , mounted on a wall like a hunting trophy . Wire props up the rim of the hood , so it holds its shape as if it were covering an invisible head " . Although it was exhibited over twenty years ago , it is a reminder of Trayvon Martin 's death because he was wearing a hoodie when he was killed by George Zimmerman . The " hoodie " acts as a symbol of fear ; in the case that young black men wearing a hoodie are stereotyped as dangerous and suspect , a theme that Rankine covers later on in chapter 6
Trayvon
Shooting of Trayvon Martin
Citizen: An American Lyric