Once again, the United States has decided a young Black man’s life is worthless. Just several minutes ago, the jury returned a “Not guilty” verdict in the trial of George Zimmerman. You may recall last year George Zimmerman shot and killed Trayvon Martin. He claimed he shot in self-defense. It was found, however, that Trayvon was armed only with a can of soda and a bag of Skittles, dangerous only if you have diabetes.
Zimmerman called the police department when seeing the young Black man in the gated community he patrolled and was told emphatically to stay in the car while backup came. Zimmerman chose to ignore the command and decided to approach the teen. The teen, quite rightly, questioned Zimmerman’s authority and a fight ensued. Zimmerman then shot the unarmed teen claiming he was in a fight for his life.
This has been debated ad nauseum by the various political pundits, civil rights leaders, police officials, and the general public. Regardless of whether or not Zimmerman felt threatened, one fact is abundantly clear. He made a conscious decision to ignore the advice of season professional police officers and instead targeted a young man he felt did not belong in the gated community in which this tragedy took place. Zimmerman profiled Martin, decided he was the one in charge and then when he realized he could not contain the situation, chose to end the life of someone he had no business bothering in the first place. His racist, unwarranted decisions led to the death of a young man, the devastation of a family and another victory for the racist judicial system people of color have to contend with decade after decade.
What does today’s verdict say to the Black youth, particularly Black males, in America? No matter who you are, no matter what you say or what you do, America will only see a threat to be removed from this life. Young Black men are vermin who must be exterminated. Black men are unworthy of justice. Young Black men are unworthy of life itself.
With all the hoopla that has surrounded the election and subsequent re-election of Barack Obama as president, isn’t it ironic that in a country that has been trumpeting the supposed end of racism can look a Black family in the eye and proclaim that the elections were all for nothing. Your son’s life is worth nothing. And we have the verdict to prove it.
As an empathetic person, I hurt for Trayvon Martin’s family. As a spiritual person, I pray for Trayvon’s soul for it will never be at peace. As an American, I hope the mockery that was made of justice today will soon be over although history and the present prison industrial complex system are proving otherwise. As a Black person in America, I dream of a day when justice is no longer blind to injustice. But as a mother of a young, Black man, I hope to hell I am never in the position Trayvon Martin’s mother is in today. Because I would make sure that only hell could hide someone like George Zimmerman from me. And I wouldn’t bet the house money on that!
We are staging an all out American boycott of the State of Florida. All products, clothing, food, no trips to Disney World ... no travel or commerce ... nothing in Florida, purchase nothing from them until there is justice for Trayvon.
ReplyDeleteAbandon and boycott the State of Florida until they are no longer a part of the USA.
If they do not care for justice, we do not care for THEM.
BTW ... Marcus Garvey was right. He said we would one day come to regret assimilation and integration. That day has come. And gone.
ReplyDeleteTrayvon attacked him with a SIDEWALK????? Are they nuts? If I take a sidewalk through security, will they stop me?
ReplyDeletethis verdict was not just, fair or compassionate; lacked accountability for the death of a young man; and defies common sense.
ReplyDeleteWhen in El Salvador in the spring, I kept hearing the word "impunity." It was used when speaking of all the assassinations, murders and disappearances during the civil war for which no one has ever been charged, let alone jailed. Impunity comes to mind in regard to this case also.