Thoughts on the Trayvon Martin case

First of all, Rest in peace Trayvon.

What are your thoughts on the Trayvon Martin verdict?

I’m a young black male. You look at the prison and death statistics, I realize that you too can be in this situation.

It pains me to know that this kid died, period. I’ve got a lot on my mind at the moment, so George Zimmerman, I’m going to get to you later. Growing up in a rough city many of the kids we grew up didn’t make it, and from all the ones I know personally, it was a black man that killed another black man.

There’s 4 boys I went to school with at some point that did not live long enough to make it through college. Drugs, dice game, a girl, and gang related. That’s the reason each of the four boys were shot and killed. I remember my first two times seeing an assault rifle, both of them took place at school. 1st of them was one of the seniors during practice went to his car and came back in the school with an AR, he stayed near the doorway then they ran and put it up. The second time, was in a homeland security class (yeah.. I know) where they had the SWAT Team come in and show off.

Kids… in high school. Trayvon age. Exposed.

It was always violence, just black on black. The different 17 year olds killing each other.  My heart pains equally for them all.

Now, back to the Zimmerman thing.

Wow.

Am I bothered? Yes

Am I surprised? No

Am I bothered that I’m not surprised? Yes

All the racists & hateful comments (from white and blacks)? disgust me

What is this country? I dont have an answer for that.

Am I strongly bothered that the media almost immediately tried to erase the headlines of this story with Glee? DEFINITELY

I knew Zimmy was getting off as soon as the jury “went back for clarification”… what that translates to is “looked for more loopholes”. And sure enough he walked.

The stage-play 12 Angry Men changed my views forever in relation to the legal system and judging of people period. If you haven’t seen it…

12 Angry Men is a 1957 American drama film adapted from a teleplay of the same name by Reginald Rose.[3][4] Written and produced by Rose himself and directed by Sidney Lumet, this trial film tells the story of a jury made up of 12 men as they deliberate the guilt or acquittal of a defendant on the basis of reasonable doubt. In the United States, a verdict in most criminal trials by jury must be unanimous. The film is notable for its almost exclusive use of one set: with the exception of the film’s opening, which begins outside on the steps of the courthouse followed by the judge’s final instructions to the jury before retiring, a brief final scene on the courthouse steps, and two short scenes in an adjoining washroom, the entire movie takes place in the jury room. The total time spent outside of the jury room is three minutes out of the full 96 minutes of the movie.

12 Angry Men explores many techniques of consensus-building, and the difficulties encountered in the process, among a group of men whose range of personalities adds intensity and conflict. Apart from two of the jurors swapping names while leaving the courthouse, no names are used in the film: the defendant is referred to as “the boy” and the witnesses as the “old man” and “the lady across the street”.

In 2007, 12 Angry Men was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”.[5]

Source: Wikipedia (not the most valid source, but this is a blog not a term paper)

As lightskinned as I am, I know I’m black on the inside… especially in the court of law and corporate america. I’m talking a headlight out led to 5 guns drawn, car impounded, and 2 nights in jail. The system has proven this to me twice so far and almost a third time. I remember another street fight that could’ve ended 1 of two ways…. a. Me getting back in my car, and going home safely like a “punk ass b*tch” or b. Me trying to explain to a judge why I shot 3 white people… they were drunk, angry, I was out numbered, outsized… I’ll always and forever take my chances on a.

Sometimes it takes a bigger…wiser man to lose a fight.

The current record holder for…… nevermind… I started to make an OJ joke and realized how extremely distasteful that would be.

Back on topic…

So I see today my little cousin is talking about raising money to help the family bring a civil suit against Zimmerman. I can understand her intentions, but is it really worth it?

I’m not trying to knock the ambition or disrespect the effort, I just want to know. Why not just let the family be, let God handle the rest?

Give the money to the family just for the sake of giving it to them, not for them to turn around and go pay it all into the court system.

I assure you George will have his day of true judgement. That’s not our place as citizens or human beings to go back and try harder to change his verdict. You just live with it. Imagine if (not saying that he is or is not) but imagine if… he was truly innocent (not implying that he is) and the judicial system wasn’t as flawed as it appeared? Who are we to go back and put in our two cents?

Would you want angry people coming to your trial and throwing money against you and your case? These are just questions to ask yourself.

Honestly, what I feel the family needs is love, support, prayer, rest, and privacy.

The only thing they don’t need = Things that won’t bring their son back e.g. revenge, money, eye for an eye, to drag this any further.

It’s easy for me to say on the outside looking in, but I think we should leave the family to make their own decisions, do what they feel is best… and if it’s to take this thing all the way, then so be it.

I’m just a believer that God will handle it all. (Society handling it, is also part of God handling it).

When you hurt someone you hurt yourself. George Zimmerman took a life, and at the same time he gave his own life. It may not be easy to see now, but I assure you any form of life that he once knew is gone. Protected or not. “Comfortable” or not. Let God handle it.

We cant change the truth, change what really happened, we can’t bring Trayvon back. The only efforts that should be made are to prevent something like this from happening again, perhaps improvements to the legal system and gun control? Perhaps someone out there in the world thinking twice and saving a life? Perhaps a young black man not killing another young black man.

I take my hat off to all protesters and supporters. Do it from a place of love, not a place of hate.

As a young hoodie wearing black male and as your brother, I pray for you and your family Trayvon. Just know that while you were here on this earth you made a difference, your life was not taken in vain. We will be sure to make a difference. Blessings and may Trayvon rest in peace with the rest of our loved ones that are gone too soon.