My Question to You

I usually don't comment on national cases such as the Martin-Zimmerman trial, but I find that I must say a few words.

Unlike my mother and countless others, I have not been following this case closely whatsoever. What little news I did hear of it was from my mom. People posting varying negative comments on Twitter tonight led me to find out the recent verdict of the trial since my mom hadn't said anything to me yet. Not Guilty. So in short, an armed man can shoot an unarmed 17 year old for walking in the rain? Ok, got it.

.......That was my attempt at sarcasm. I just have a few questions.

In what way do 6 women represent a jury of Trayvon Martin's or George Zimmerman's peers? Why not men and women? How is it self-defense when you (a civilian) get out of your car to pursue a suspected criminal, accuse him of some crime, and then shoot him? Also, when analyzing this 'stand your ground' law, will it also be applicable if a minority woman were to shoot a White man she perceives as a threat to her while walking home from the subway? Or will it only apply vice-versa?

I am worried about the repercussions this will have on our society. Unless the nation effects serious policy changes in the near future, there will be countless consequences, divides, and future murders/massacres. The truth of the matter is if Zimmerman had been found guilty, history would likely have repeated itself.

Quick history lesson: Immediately after the Civil War, the nation entered a period of prosperity for the new-found African Americans in which they became political figures with considerable clout that was called Reconstruction. This only infuriated the defeated Southern Whites who began to persecute Blacks for having more 'freedoms' than they currently had. They did this under the guise of protecting their women from potential Black rapists. Soon afterwards, Reconstruction ended allowing Southern Whites to regain their economic and political footing. They did not, however, forget that time of embarrassment by the Blacks in which their former servants became higher in political standing than themselves. For most of the twentieth century, they put Blacks in such a tremendous choke hold (the Jim Crow era) that they are still recovering from it some 50 years later. Lesson over. The point? If George Zimmerman had been found guilty, the rejoicing of America's minorities, or those sympathetic to Trayvon Martin, would have possibly been the final drop in the pot of hate that has been threatening to boil over ever since a Black man was elected president of the free world. All of the accomplishments that Blacks and other minorities have had might have been set back to a period where we would be tightly under the angered elite's foot. Yes, I know that that is a drastic way to view the consequences of one murder trial, but if life has taught me anything, it is that HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF.

Don't despair. This blog is not entirely grim. I realized that while I have an immense passion for work with nations overseas, there is still so much that has to be done in this country if we are to serve as models for others. We have to look at the intricacies involved with this case as well as that of the Michael Dunn-Jordan Davis case. I believe in freedom of speech, but that should not allow for rampant stupidity and insensitivity. A nation where it is legal to string up a dummy representing the president on a noose when everyone knows how offensive this is to African Americans. A nation where a rapper can rap about putting date rape drugs in a woman's drink and it be ok. A nation where a Grammy award winning singer can cause physical harm to his Grammy award winning singer girlfriend and be convicted, but, five years later, win four consecutive Fandemonium awards on the BET (Black Entertainment Television) Awards. I'm just as guilty of accepting him again even after his horrible crime. As much as I dislike his actions, I can't find it in me to stop liking his music.

Something is wrong with this picture!

That's a problem. Something is clearly wrong in our society. Somewhere down the line, I feel that we have forgotten our values and what we stand for. We need to correct this and verdicts like Zimmerman's. I believe that one way to do this is by reviewing and revising our legislation so that it is TRULY fair and just for ALL. Therefore, I will begin to rework my future plans so that I can effect change within legislation while still pursuing my other interests. My experiences with the Sue Shear Leadership Academy and REACT to FILM have given me outlets and resources to learn how to do just that.

For my friends who see nothing wrong with the Zimmerman verdict, I completely understand and respect your point. To you, it was simply a case of a kid being in the wrong place at the wrong time, race aside. I ask only that you remain sensitive to the feelings of others during this time as everyone is somewhat on edge right now.

The real question that I want to leave you with at the end of this blog is, what will YOU do? Will you complain for a few days then go back to your life or will you vote, pay attention to legislation, and join city councils and neighborhood watches?