(This is a compilation and editing together of several posts I made on the Houston Chronicle comment forums, with some additional comments added.)
The shooting death of central Florida teenager
Trayvon Martin, a young Black man, and the outrage over it, has got me thinking about the larger issues surrounding it.
This issue should not even be about race, but it happened in a state and a city where, sadly, there is apparently a LONG and horrible history of racism. The Black people of Sanford, Florida should not be blamed for their mistrust, their suspicions, or their outrage.
Trayvon Martin was allegedly killed by a man named George Zimmerman - a man of partial Hispanic heritage who has been described as White - someone who felt threatened - but all indications, including eyewitness testimony, point to the assumption that Trayvon was simply minding his own business and posed no threat to Mr. Zimmerman. No threat whatsoever. In fact, it was Trayvon who apparently felt threatened, as indicated by the cell phone conversation with his own girlfriend as the situation was unfolding.
Yes, you may indeed ask: "Can we leave race and politics out of it?"
I would like to do that. The case needs to be looked at with just the facts. But ask the Black people of Sanford, who have had to put up with bigots - and their heinous actions - possibly all their lives. They'll probably say no.
After reading the news reports, and learning about incidents in the past which are just as outrageous, I am also not convinced that the local Sanford police are capable of making a proper, impartial investigation. I believe that the local PD is hiding some of the facts and trying to protect George Zimmerman. Whether or not that is true, I don't know, but even the hint of suspicion is not something that should even be a part of this case.
I am glad the United States Department of Justice is doing something, and frankly I think a Federal investigation of the Sanford PD as a department is in order.
This situation hits home with me on a personal level.
My own son is a teenager, much like Trayvon Martin. My son is 16 and Black and lives in Texas. And if some dumb*** shoots MY son because they consider him a threat (when he is homeschooled and college bound), I would be devastated, outraged and demanding of some sort of justice.
Because, as many people that identify with Trayvon Martin, sadly, tragically, also identify with George Zimmerman.
The attitude of many people who are commenting on newspaper forums, in my opinion, is part of the problem. It's an attitude that I hear ALL too often in cases like this. Comments of "why are these Black people stirring the pot and race-baiting by getting Obama and all these celebrities to weigh on on this. Just let the investigation run its course."
There's a big problem with that sentiment. Minority groups, right or wrong, are still feeling, even though we are in the 21st century, like they're getting the short end of stick in this country. Instead of whining about it, people really need to try to walk a mile in the other guy's shoes.
By the way, I think it was good, proper and totally appropriate, and necessary, for the President to speak on this (and kudos to the GOP presidential candidates AND former Florida governor Jeb Bush to speak out as well).
Why is it, when Black people stand up against legitimate concerns about racial hatred, and demand the same justice expected of every American, it becomes a matter of "stirring the pot" and "race baiting"?
I seriously question whether or not those who feel they're being "baited" and their pots stirred are bigots and racists themselves.
I will keep saying this, I don't care how many times, because it's important.
America needs to have a serious conversation on the national level about race and racism. People on all sides, all viewpoints, right, left, middle of the road, we MUST come together as Americans and lay it all out on the table and talk this out.
Income inequality, what the Occupy movement is fighting, is a BIG part of this. But conservatives pooh-pooh the Occupy movement as a bunch of smelly hippies who defecate on police cruisers.
The survival of this republic depends on this. America has to have a serious conversation as a society and figure out ways to get along with one another and make sure everyone has an equal chance at life, liberty and happiness. Some of the ways we get that done might smack of "communism". So be it. Whatever it takes.
We cannot go forward as a nation paralyzed by bigotry.
At the very least, more young men like Trayvon Martin, and like
Oscar Grant II, will needlessly lose their lives.
