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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsA boy who smiled when the camera was on him.
On Trayvon Martin and Our Fear of Smiling Black MenIm not writing this to disagree with any of it. Our interpretations about this American tragedy are ours to have, but mine is slightly different. Hate isnt why Zimmerman killed Trayvon Martin. Fear is why George Zimmerman killed Trayvon Martin.
George Zimmerman was afraid of Trayvon Martin because Trayvon Martin was black. George Zimmerman feared Trayvon Martin because black people adorned in something as simple as a hoodie and khakis and sneakers with a bag of candy in their hand look dangerous to people who are either not black themselves or isolate themselves from black people to the point where most of their exposure to them is via the media and entertainment.
snip
I wish more people would open their eyes and face their fear with peace rather than aggression and violence. I wish George Zimmerman would have simply asked Trayvon Martin where he was going and remained in his car, instead of charging after him with a gun. But I wish most of all George Zimmerman wasnt afraid of a boy who liked to smile. Trayvon Martin didnt have to die. There was no reason to fear him.
Read in full please.
http://gawker.com/on-trayvon-martin-and-our-fear-of-smiling-black-men-836263588
Peace~
Brigid
(17,621 posts)He never did.
Cha
(297,272 posts)a freaking stalker and coward who never should have had a gun.
That coward with a gun should have stayed in his truck and let Trayvon get home that night.
Trayvon's parents are such incredible examples of strength and courage to show the dignity and grace they have after that racist monster killed their son and the jury said he was "not guilty".
Somehow I think that since it went this way.. that Trayvon's honor as a kid who didn't need to die will bring about much needed change much larger than anyone can imagine. It's already started with his Parents' Trayvon Martin Foundation, PBO's talk, The Peaceful Protests.. that were as far away as London..
The Tragedy of Trayvon Martin
Calls for justice were sounded with chants, rousing speeches, poetry and the beating of drums. A host of people took to a speakerphone in turn to voice what the case, verdict and its aftermath meant to them personally. Key points from speeches included a call for unity amongst Black people and all oppressed groups as well as the need for increased and sustained activism. People stressed the continued urgency for social change, pointing to recent legal travesties. For instance, the sentencing of a Black woman, Marissa Alexander, to 20 years imprisonment for firing warning shots against her abusive husband, is further proof of the discriminatory application of the stand your ground law in Florida.
Many supporters pointed out the prolonged legal battles for justice in UK cases, often with unacceptable outcomes, undermines the humanity of Black people. The criminalization of us as a group as well as the demonization of Black victims within the mainstream media plays a major role in this
http://www.demotix.com/news/2262595/more-london-protests-trayvon-martin#media-2262538
mahalo she
sheshe2
(83,784 posts)Trayvon.
His parents and his supporters, have far more dignity, grace , humanity and courage than the masses that condemn that child.
They have proven who is superior in their grace.
Peace Cha.
treestar
(82,383 posts)zimmerman had so many opportunities to avoid it. Unbelievable that he won't pay (though he might in some other way). A good student, who lived in that neighborhood - a sweet boy who could still be with us if zimmerman weren't such a wannabe cop.