So I'm feeling devastated about the entire Trayvon Martin case: his untimely, unnecessary death....and his absolutely preventable murder.
But I'm also feeling pretty bad about the fact that among white folks on Facebook, I can't post or discuss this awful, heart-rending case without the white folks deciding that I personally am "...making this all about race." Well, earth-to-white-folks: it IS about race, and if you cannot see and understand that a black teenager-- UNarmed, headed to visit his father, by walking in a predominantly white neighborhood..... getting shot and killed is connected to these facts, then you are in denial.
I really no longer CARE "WHY" George Zimmerman killed Trayvon. I do not care if he panicked, and the gun went off. I do not care if he felt this skinny young man was a threat to Zimmerman's 60-pounds-heavier, gym-bulked-up body, and so he "had to save" his own life. I don't care, because I do not believe him. I do not believe the Sanford Police Department realizes that they are victims too, in that they seem to take it as "gospel" that Zimmerman's perception of the incident, is the only valid one. Almost FIVE WEEKS after this crime, and no arrest, no charges, not even a thorough interrogation. The Sanford Police Department, in my view, trusted Zimmerman because he was part of the "Neighborhood Watch" program, and so they have developed a kind of "relationship" with him.
Very sad, because it's false, and I fear the truth will be buried, like so many black men, in this country's history, have been buried: lynched, hung from trees, more recent memory gave us images of black men dragged behind cars and trucks...... Trayvon Martin was 17 years old, walking to visit his Dad. It never should have happened. Take Zimmerman out of this scenario, it never would have happened.
If there's anyone out there, and you feel, like me, that not enough has been done, please DO post a comment. I need to know I'm not alone; I need to know that other folks, especially other white folks, see this for what it is, that they understand. Think about it:
If this had been a 17 year old white kid, UNarmed, walking in a predominantly black neighborhood, going to visit his dad, and an older, 60-pounds-heavier, bulked-up-from-the-gym black man with a gun had shot and killed him, would ANYONE be saying "Wait, we don't know all
the facts; he said the kid slammed him; it was self-defense..."
Really?
If you feel like I do, please post a comment, if you don't....I don't want to hear you. I've had my "fill" of outright bigotry on my FB Wall, feel free to click on there, by scrolling down to the right of this post, and click the link marked "Facebook". If you feel this attack was at least partially, even unconsciously/ subconsciously, influenced by the race of the victim, Trayvon Martin, please DO post on my Facebook Wall, as I could use the reinforcements.
Thanks for reading.
Peace, kids. Peace.
7 comments:
There is no doubt that racial stereotypes were/are at play.
So I am not alone after all. I posted something about this tragedy today and within minutes, I had a comment that I had not expected. It is a sensitive topic for sure, but until we can ALL (of all races) talk about the reality of fear and "other," this is a tragedy that will continue to be repeated. I'm so sad. I don't usually plug my blog in a comment on someone else's, but I hope you will visit so that you will see that there are others who agree with you. Thank you for speaking out.
so this is the first that i have heard of the story - and i would have to know whether Trayvon had actually approached or threatened Zimmerman before fully making a comment, but it does seem that perception played a large part in what happened
Christine-- thank you sweetie for helping me feel not-so-alone. EVERYone carries some bias, even though we all try to do our best...
Galen-- hi there. I'm feeling better every second. I heard today the FBI is now investigating to see if "Z" possibly "violated Trayvon Martin's Civil Rights..." This may mean someone will now be held accountable.
Pixies-- I saw that " across the pond" there were protesters standing up for Trayvon.
I hope we can all make a difference; I'm headed to all of ya'll's blogs, now. :)
Christine-- thank you sweetie for helping me feel not-so-alone. EVERYone carries some bias, even though we all try to do our best...
Galen-- hi there. I'm feeling better every second. I heard today the FBI is now investigating to see if "Z" possibly "violated Trayvon Martin's Civil Rights..." This may mean someone will now be held accountable.
Pixies-- I saw that " across the pond" there were protesters standing up for Trayvon.
I hope we can all make a difference; I'm headed to all of ya'll's blogs, now. :)
You're not alone. Racists and bigots have been declaring the end of racsim to deflect the source of their hatred of Obama. It is real and it is everywhere. Large percentages in the South still believe inter-racial marriage should be illegal.
We are stil, deep down, such a primitive, tribal species...
Dave Dubya-- oh honey you are soooo correct. Thank you for your continued support, Dave. Headed to YOUR blog, right now. ;D
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