A lot has happened this
weekend. Currently, there are protests
and other “peaceful demonstrations” taking place across the country. There are
even reports that the Los Angeles Police Department is using rubber bullets on
demonstrators. It is one of the many
venues of having a democratic system of government. However, the reason of all the demonstrations
is in regards to a controversial ruling of the trial of George Zimmerman. He shot, and killed, a seventeen year old
child named Trayvon Martin.
The jury found Zimmerman not guilty
of killing Martin under the “Stand Your Ground” law in the state of
Florida. There were a few things that I
found unsettling in this case: the fact that Zimmerman admitted to shooting,
and killing, the unarmed child (actually, he was armed with a bag of
Skittles…apparently Zimmerman didn’t want to taste the rainbow); he changed his
story up to six times and yet was still found to be not guilty; certain charges
couldn’t be made – such as second degree murder or manslaughter (the
prosecution tried but couldn’t deliver); Zimmerman was allowed to act as if
nothing had happened (never booked, never arrested, waited for other cops to
show up and have his co-workers [that’s right, Zimmerman is a cop] console him
and treat him like the victim, and many other things that I could discuss but
I’m sure, by now, everyone knows the facts of the case.
Now before I get any further into
this, I should note a disclaimer: I am not a lawyer and I’m sure there will be
things said that will make some people mad, so, I apologize in advance.
While it is important that we all
remember that the demonstrations are within constitutional boundaries of the
law (freedom to petition and assemble come to mind under the first amendment),
it is also important to remember that the jury reached a verdict of the
accused. Personally, I don’t agree with
it and I, like many others, feel that George Zimmerman was guilty on many
charges including murder. That is one of
the things that make a democracy a double-edge sword; we have to love it when
it works for us, and love it when it goes against what we believe. I would like to remind you that this is not
the first case they have gotten wrong.
George Zimmerman is, in my mind, just as guilty as OJ Simpson, Andrea
Yates, Casey Anthony, and countless others.
Is it fair, yes (because a jury found him not guilty); but is it right,
not in any way. I view the demonstrations as a positive step because it only
reinforces the notion that Americans are fed up with laws that are not creating
an equal ground for all American citizens.
Sometimes is takes a tragedy to spark an outrage and to create an
atmosphere of change in the laws being passed (or being repealed). The family of
Trayvon Martin are putting their faith in God.
Personally, I believe in God. I know that one of the commandments is to
not kill (I think the actual wording is “Thou Shall not Kill” which many have
argued that it meant murder – if you kill something then it means that it was
been murdered in one degree or another [again, my logic]). I believe the American public will have their
day, not in a courtroom, but in a voting booth. Okay, moving on…
This court case will obviously be a
turning point for race relations and the many answers that are being demanded
by the demonstrations across the nation.
For many, they fear
their child might be the next statistic due to the color of their skin; women
are not only afraid of their sons, but daughters are also fearful of their
father’s and brother’s lives. This isn’t
just an African-American concern; it is a concern for all minorities in the
United States. The perception that the
justice system doesn’t consider them equal under the law is a chilling notion
to think, especially in the year 2013.
The fact of the matter is, minorities are feeling the burden of being
“unwanted” by the rest of the nation. It
is evident every day. The Republican Party, in various states, are restricting
the right to vote for minorities – not just African Americans; they are even
restricting access to a woman’s healthcare options. The Democratic Party is not
as ideal as I would like it to be either.
The minority, for them, are those that are religiously affiliated, the
fiscally conscious, and those that protect the second amendment just as bad as
they do their religion. (See, I can be unbiased). The point is, both parties
need to overcome their differences and determine the best way to mitigate the
racial tensions in this great nation. We need to remember that there is more
than one racial minority in this country.
We cannot forget that, and we certainly cannot put one over
another. I guess the one thing I
disliked about the Trayvon Martin case is the fact that people failed to
realize that it was not a “white on black” hate crime; it was a “Hispanic on
black” hate crime.
Now, in case you didn’t know, I am
Hispanic. I think it is horrible that a
Hispanic did this to another individual of a minority. I will again state that I believe George
Zimmerman is guilty. However, I think
the best thing for me, and others, to do is to get more involved in the
democratic process (hard to image since I’m already highly involved, but I
digress). I guess that is the point I’m
trying to make: If you are at a peaceful demonstration/protest, that’s good; if
you are angry, get involved; if you don’t like the way something is, focus on
changing it so it is better – and equal – for everyone. These are the next
steps for us to take. This is the
current challenge that we are facing. We
need leaders and those willing to get a little dirty to make some changes for
the better of the country. To be a community, be involved and check up on one
another. In order to believe in Democracy, you have to be an active participant
in it. I hope the Martin Family continue to stay strong during this time and I
ask whoever reads this to be more involved in your community, in your online
presence, and in the American system.
We can all be better teachers. We
can all be better leaders too; but it only takes a handful of people to stand
up and lead.
