Trayvon Martin: What should black parents advise their kids? What are the lessons for all parents?
As federal investigators are sorting out what exactly happened to Trayvon Martin, the young African-American boy shot and killed while walking through a neighborhood, I am wondering what parents are telling their kids? I am wondering what conclusions they are drawing about the participants and what advise they are offering to their teens and kids?
I have read several interesting perspectives on the story that I wanted to share with you and get your reaction. Our own Gracie Bond Staples talked with African-American parents about the rearing African-American boys in particular.
From the AJC’s story:
“…According to a 2010 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study, homicide was the leading cause of death for black males age 12-19.”
“In the weeks since young Trayvon Martin was gunned down in a gated community in Sanford, Fla., those truths have weighed heavily on black parents.”
“(Marlyn) Tillman, a community activist and empty nester, lives in a middle-class, predominately white Snellville neighborhood.”
“Ruben Brown, 48, lives with his wife and 14-year-old son in Atlanta and, while not the suburbs, it is hardly the ‘hood. But like Tillman, he knows their middle-class status in no way equals safety when it comes to his son.”
“Although worries about the safety of adolescents are not the province of just black families or parents of boys, Tillman, Brown and other parents say raising black boys is perhaps the most stressful aspects of parenting because they know they’re dealing with a society that is fearful and hostile toward them, simply because of the color of their skin.”
“At 14, Brown said his son is at that critical age when he’s always worried about his safety because of profiling.”
“ ‘I don’t want to scare him or have him paint people with a broad brush, but, historically, we black males have been stigmatized as the purveyors of crime and wherever we are, we’re suspect,” Brown said.”
“Black parents who don’t make that fact clear, he and others said, do it at their and their male children’s own peril.”
“ ‘Any African-American parent not having that conversation is being irresponsible,’ Brown said. ‘I see this whole thing as an opportunity for us to speak frankly, openly and honestly about race relations.’ ”
“Morehouse College associate professor Bryant Marks agreed, saying parents need to be vigilant in raising their boys, make them aware of how they are perceived in this country and give them the skills they need to survive.”
“ ‘Have the conversation about the police, tell them what to do when they are on foot or in a car,’ he said. ‘That conversation needs to happen. It acknowledges the bias out there, but let them know that they can succeed in spite of all of that.’ “
“Regardless of a family’s class or education, the challenge of bringing young black males safely to adulthood must be tremendous, said Richard Cohen, president of the Southern Poverty Law Center.”
“ ‘On the one hand, should they tell children to run when they are faced with suspicious and possibly dangerous circumstances such as a car following them, or should they stand still for fear that their running will be interpreted as some sort of evidence of guilt,” he said. “It’s a horrible, horrible Catch 22 for any parent or child on the street.’ ”
Which leads me to the ABC News report about how Martin was on the phone with his girlfriend when he thought he was being followed. She told him to run. But he told her he would not run. I wondered if that was from something his parents had told him about the Civil Rights era? I wondered if it was a pride thing or was he told never to run so he didn’t look guilty?
“He said this man was watching him, so he put his hoodie on. He said he lost the man,” Martin’s friend said. “I asked Trayvon to run, and he said he was going to walk fast. I told him to run, but he said he was not going to run.”
Eventually, he would run, said the girl, thinking that he’d managed to escape. But suddenly the strange man was back, cornering Martin.
“Trayvon said, ‘What are you following me for,’ and the man said, ‘What are you doing here.’ Next thing I hear is somebody pushing, and somebody pushed Trayvon because the head set just fell. I called him again, and he didn’t answer the phone.”
The final story I found particularly compelling is from The Washington Post. It talks about how the Trayvon Martin case reminds people of the 1960s when civil rights workers would vanish in Southern towns. Here is an excerpt:
“It feels like the not-so-long-ago ’60s, back when getting federal authorities to move quickly was often difficult. But this is a different era, however tragically similar the outcome.”
“The Trayvon Martin story has multiple layers: a black victim, a Hispanic man who did the shooting in Sanford, Fla. In Washington, the head of the Justice Department’s civil rights division, Thomas E. Perez, is Hispanic. The attorney general of the United States, Eric H. Holder Jr., is a black man. The man who occupies the Oval Office, Barack Obama, is an African American. “
“And yet, even that arc of progress — while admired — hasn’t softened emotions and feelings.”
“ ‘It reminds you of Emmett Till,” said Bernadette Pruitt, an associate professor of history at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Tex., who has written about Southern racial history and can’t stop thinking of Trayvon Martin and his family. ‘This so-called post-racialism is a figment of our imagination. Race, unfortunately, is still the barometer by which everyone is measured.’ ”
So I am wondering if parents are feeling this echo from the past and explaining it in that framework? I am also wondering if they are using it as a teachable moment about history?
If you are an African-American parents what are you telling your boys (or girls)? What lessons should all parents be sharing with their kids from this?
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
203 comments Add your comment
Daily news for: trayvon martin | : Daily Trends - daily news and the hottest trends!
March 22nd, 2012
11:37 pm
[...] TODAYPolice chief, state attorney step aside in Trayvon Martin caseChristian Science MonitorAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -CBS Newsall 8,595 news [...]
TrishaDishaWarEagle
March 23rd, 2012
12:38 am
Getting pretty sick of the double standard in the news that puts any story with a black victim in perma news cycle and and the sstoy of two blacks who douse a white kid in gasoline and set him on fire, gets a passing note.
And why do blacks always bus themselves somewhere and march..oh well..Trayvon memorial skitle sales must be big..
JATL
March 23rd, 2012
12:41 am
I think all parents should be horrified by this death. I am. I have two lily-white boys, but I worry about something insane like this happening to them when they’re older. I heard an opinion piece today on the radio that really rang true about Trayvon Martin. Ultimately -and according to the phone call and the friend on the other end -Trayvon was SCARED. The person offering the opinion started off talking about how her 8 year old still crawls into bed with them on occasion due to some scary thing or feeling poorly, and how in a few short years he’ll be a teenager, but at the bottom of it all -this teenage boy was scared of the freak following him. Wouldn’t you be scared if a strange man was following you, disappeared, and then suddenly was on you again? I would be scared to death! It breaks my heart that this was a scared kid who didn’t really know how to react to being followed and cornered. I also look at some of my sons’ friends who are not lily-white, and I think of them as teenagers, and this whole incident makes me feel even sicker.
I hate the race card. I almost always roll my eyes when it’s “played.” However, this was racial. There’s no two ways about it. If Trayvon was white, I sincerely do not believe that guy would have given him a second look -much less shot him! I see too many posts in our neighborhood email ring by people who freak out every time black teenage boys are walking down the street. God forbid they have on a white t-shirt or a puffer jacket. That seems to send these idiots into even more of a frenzy. HELLO -you live in a gentrifying intown Atlanta neighborhood, and you get alarmed at this? They are probably neighbors, but it’s this type of thinking that caused the Trayvon killing. Automatically suspecting for absolutely no reason. I tell you the only guy who scares me in our neighborhood is the mentally off meth head who is very white and VERY creepy. Funny -there are almost no posts about him. So, sorry America, but yep, we still have some BIG problems in the racial department.
I don’t know what the “teachable moments” are here. Are there any? Unfortunately the only one that comes to mind for African -American parents to tell their kids is, “Don’t trust white people. You never know which ones are out to get you -even in 2012.” I used to assign an essay topic to my students when we would read “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” about which one is better -the devil you know or the devil you don’t know? Had you rather be faced with the Klan in their silly outfits (but at least you know what they’re about) or some person who smiles and is nice, but stabs you in the back in private because of your race? While I’m certainly happy not to see a bunch of Klansmen around, I think we have far to many of the “smilers and backstabbers” than we even realize.
TrishaDishaWarEagle
March 23rd, 2012
12:46 am
The reason people suspect black males is because..surprise,..look at the crime stats…black males commit disproportional numbers of crimes….is that guilt by association and collective punishment? sure, but that’s better than being victimized by being naive and pretending its not you who will ever be a victim or not that black kid who is a perp..
blackbird13
March 23rd, 2012
12:55 am
is that guilt by association and collective punishment? sure, but that’s better than being victimized by being naive and pretending its not you who will ever be a victim or not that black kid who is a perp..
TDWE:
So let me get this straight: your cowardice and paranoia justifies collective punishment?
So let me get this straight
crabapplejoe
March 23rd, 2012
1:25 am
First of all the shooter is not “white”…….his father is Jewish and his mother is Hispanic…..have you seen the photos. So this is essentially a hispanic on black situation. The Hispanic guy, who is 5′4 confronted the black guy, who is 6′3 about what he was doing in the ‘hood……the black guy chimped out and started beating the Hispanic guy and then he got shot……why is this a national story?
blackbird13
March 23rd, 2012
1:26 am
JATL:
The race card is still needed because racists remain in positions of power, especially in the south.
I can go on Facebook and in a short time find dozens of self-identified police officers with racist comments on their pages. In fact, I have made it a project to do exactly that. After identifying the officer, I notify their departments. If nothing is done, I notify the local media. In cases of dangerous sounding rhetoric, I skip that and go higher up immediately.
Why am I revealing this? Because I hope others take it up.
The Rational Poet
March 23rd, 2012
1:48 am
So, the next time a black person shoots a white person I assume all these folks will be rallying for justice – right? Will Sharpton come to town with his dog and pony show next time some black young men break into cars in a white neighborhood? Will anyone be loading up buses the next time some black man robs a white teenager on the Georgia Tech campus? What is that saying about people who live in glass houses not throwing rocks?
blackbird13
March 23rd, 2012
1:56 am
What you don’t seem to get, irrational poet, is those black people would be arrested immediately if caught, and no way would a white kids body be left unidentified for days while the police took his assailant’s word that it was self-defense.
The Rational Poet
March 23rd, 2012
2:11 am
What I don’t think a lot of people get is that this is a horrible situation involving one man who made some terrible decisions that resulted in another’s death not institutional racism. The idea that someone should be arrested without proper evidence should be appalling to anyone that believes in the rule of law. The legal system includes processes that need to be followed to assure that everyone’s rights are protected. At the end of the day this situation will be resolved without all the grandstanding and hollow rhetoric.
blackbird13
March 23rd, 2012
2:28 am
I would say it’s too early to say this is “not about institutional racism,” because the investigation of that police department is just beginning.
Fair
March 23rd, 2012
4:09 am
Because I’m black…. I am so sick of hearing that crap…Mrs. Black America, Black Coaches Association, United Negro College Fund, BET, and the list goes on and on…don’t see any Mrs. White America, White College Fund, WET. How is that right?
Jeff
March 23rd, 2012
4:26 am
I cannot comprehend what the situation is like to be a young black man. Trying to raise one to be a man has to Boone of the more difficult things to do. I have tons of respect for the parents who are making an effort. I can put aside the politics of both sides of any argument because this is still a young boy who, by all accounts that I’ve read, was not doing anything wrong.
At the end of the day, someone’s son is gone.
white MAN
March 23rd, 2012
5:53 am
the white folks should get in buses and head to the campus of Georgia Tech where our white college kids are being targeted by BLACK GANGSTER’s every week and we should protest that, where is the media & public outcry ????? double standard if you ask me !!!!
Lady
March 23rd, 2012
6:01 am
Why is everything race, race, race. This is what is keeping racism alive and well in this country. No one can dispute that this was a horrible evident. Why not all the marches and rallies to stop the black on black killing, the drive by shootings that take place daily, the innocent killing of children due to gun fire. Why is this not as important to the blacks. If this had been a black on white killing would there have been such an uproar. NO. Why not the uproar when 4 blacks kidnapped, raped and murdered two whites in Knoxville, TN. Maybe whites need to start these rallies too and cry racism and hate crimes everytime there is a black on white killing. Why doesn’t King, Jr., Sharpton, Jackson, etc. lead marches to stop the killing of blacks on blacks. No that doesn’t generate them the publicity that they so much need. WAKE UP AMERICA. And YES this was a horrible incident no one can deny that and a decent young man lost his life but all these marches, etc. is not going to change a thing all it is doing is keeping racism alive and well in AMERICA. And you know what so what if this man called this young man a *****. Do you not think that the whites are called names all the time by the blacks. BIG DEAL. You know the saying sticks and stones can break my bones but names can never hurt me. And people who live in glass houses shouldn’t be throwing stones.
BlondeHoney
March 23rd, 2012
6:18 am
TWG, I see you’ve attracted all the trolls from Jay and Kyle’s blogs today with this topic. Sigh.
OpenEyesCANSee
March 23rd, 2012
6:21 am
First off @whiteman. Wipe the froth from your mouth. The issues in Ga. Tech’s campus have gotten considerable coverage and “public outcry” in Atlanta news and media, SO MUCH SO that the State house has proposed measures and debate to AMMEND the Ga. LAW to allow GUNS ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES!! I Guess viewing the world through that often distorted “white” lens of yours throws all reason out the door. As for loading up buses and “protesting”, WHY DON’T YOU ORGANIZE THE EFFORT?? I must INFORM YOU THOUGH…It’s not only YOUR “white college kids” who are being victimized every now and then at Ga. Tech, it’s the Asian, Hispanic and yes…BLACK ones too! You see… the criminals are targeting GT students because of the prestige and idea that if you are at GT, you likely have the best outfit of electronics and a little cash. Your overtly RACIST mind though cannot rationalize that far out though. Finally, let’s go one better. Why don’t you take your bhs ride RIGHT INTO the “Black community” and tell them EXACTLY how you feel?? Go on down to SWATS, West End or BANKhead and give them so-called “BLACK GANGSTERS” a piece of your mind!!! My guess is, YOU WON’T!!! Why??? You are a F/G COWARD who likes to sit back and stir up hatred in everybody else with the same lynchmob mentality of the 1950s. You make everything a “double standard” that is not YOUR “standard”. Sadly, that’s what “white privilege” does.
shaggy
March 23rd, 2012
6:28 am
Theresa,
your filter ate my post, probably because I used a scientific term for humanity. Retrieve it if you want. It does explore a different outlook.
I even copied and re-posted it….gone.
Truthpaste
March 23rd, 2012
6:58 am
Those that have to question why race is always a factor, hasn’t lived with it like those that see it every day.
3d
March 23rd, 2012
7:09 am
Most white folks wouldn’t dare walk into Pittsburg, down Candler Road or Bankhead inside the perimeter.
Any guess why for all of those screaming racism?
catlady
March 23rd, 2012
7:09 am
Well, if my children were young I wouldn’t be discussing this at all, unless they brought it up. I would also be watching what they are exposed to much more carefully!
Raising a son, whose BF is black, made me talk to him extensively about what his friend could experience, and my son also, if with him when someone tried to start something (even the police). A good example of the unfairness of the world. (BTW, the friend’s parents are wealthy and among the elite in Athens, GA, but the guy and his brothers still got hassled by the police). ALL of our children need to be careful, black or white or Latino, male, female, or gay!
Cutty
March 23rd, 2012
7:25 am
I am honestly disturbed by the racist comments of some of the people on here. You wonder why things are the way they are especially in Georgia. The problem with this case is the fact that the police took this guys word for what happened and did nothing about it. Even though the 911 tapes show he stalked the kid. The message is that a black life isn’t worth the trouble of investigating. Its unfortunate when anyone is killed whether its a black killing another black, black killing white , white killing black, latino killing white etc. But the police showed that they didn’t give a f*ck about this kid.
MrDan
March 23rd, 2012
7:29 am
70% of black kids are born out of wedlock. When that figure was around 30%, Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan described it as “epidemic” and would create enormous problems. Well guess what? To quote the Rev Jeremiah Wright, “America, your chickens have come home to roost”. This country is descending toward 3rd world decay, and that’s why most people feel the best thing they can do today is buy a gun to protect themselves and their family. If you read and watch, this paper, ABC News, and other liberal media outlets will use this tragic incident to try and illustrate an “absurdity” of over-zealous gun rights laws. But what they don’t understand is there is a real concern by people of all races of a society where lawless youth and gangs are running rampant. And you can’t just say, here, take my money or my life because I understand you didn’t know who your real father was. As we like to say in the mountains, “that dog just ain’t gonna hunt”.
JoeDon
March 23rd, 2012
7:37 am
Too bad. YOU, black people, need to look inward and fix YOURSELF, but first find a national leader capable of leading and moving YOU forward. No, not Obama (the Divider-in-Chief) and not Sharpton (a loud-mouthed race baiter)…but someone along the lines of King. Face it, in every “bad” statistical category where it comes to crime, prison populations, broken families, welfare dependency, lack of education, etc., etc., etc., YOU lead the way. YOU set the conditions for YOUR own failure. Enough of this victim crap that YOU scream every time something “bad” happens to one of YOUR own.
Don't Tread
March 23rd, 2012
7:39 am
Dress like a thug, and at some point someone will think you’re a thug. Maybe the circumstances would have been different if Martin has dressed differently. (No, I’m not saying he’s at fault for picking the wrong clothes.)
If you’re driving down Ponce at night and see a woman wearing a short skirt and high heels standing at a corner, do you assume she’s a prostitute? Some people would say yes, because she fits the stereotype. But she may just be dressed up for a night on the town and waiting for the light to change.
Jeff
March 23rd, 2012
7:43 am
Thank you catlady.
Really?
March 23rd, 2012
7:47 am
“The message is that a black life isn’t worth the trouble of investigating. Its unfortunate when anyone is killed whether its a black killing another black, black killing white , white killing black, latino killing white etc. But the police showed that they didn’t give a f*ck about this kid”
What are you talking about!? It is worth the trouble of investigating and that is why the prosecutor has now gotten involved. The police didn’t arrest that man because at the time, they did not have the evidence to do so. You have no idea how the police felt about that poor boy. Seeing a child killed effected them just like it did you but they literally could do NOTHING about it at the time. Doesn’t even mean they won’t come up with the evidence to arrest him tomorrow. I’m sure they would be HAPPY to. Shame on you.
David
March 23rd, 2012
8:04 am
I do not know the complete circumstance in which this young man lost his life,but one thing that has not been mentioned is what was this 17 year old kid doing out at such a late hour and why have his parents not been held responsible for that;also was this young man as my former youth pastor used to say “where he was suppose to be,doing what he was suppose to be doing,when he was suppose to be doing it.” If and only if this young man was a victim of a malicious act then my heart goes out to his family but if he found himself doing things he was not suppose to be doing then while it is sad he lost his life every action has its consequence. Why also have those in the media and in the African American community automatically convicted the Police Chief for investigating this incident automatically convicting him of not doing his job,it seems to me the they have already given this young man a pass which may or may not be deserved.
emommy
March 23rd, 2012
8:06 am
I was hesitant initially to comment, as I knew that this topic somehow bring out the trolls and turn into a bash session. But I could not remain silent. So, here it goes. By way of background., I am an African American mom who lives in an upper middle class neighborhood with my Latino husband and kids. I think that we as a country have somehow reached the conclusion that racism and bias and racially motivated behavior no longer exist just because there have been some significant advancements for people of color and we now in fact have an African American president. This belief is absolutely wrong. With President Obama’s election, I think that some of the racial biases have become less hidden and more pronounced and open. With some of the rhetoric and baiting that is going on in the media currently during this election cycle, those biases and prejudices are becoming even more pronounced. I often wonder WHEN will our country move past the very small issue of race and ethnicity and stop allowing it to be a stumbling block? Why is this issue relevant? Because, as a person of color (whether it is acknowledged or not by the wider media), there is a double standard. Ordinary events such as a traffic stop or simply walking down the street in a predominately white neighborhood can become a different experience, simply because of assumptions and simple biases and stereotypes that are out there. As a parent of children of color, it is necessary (althoughunfortunate) to provide our kids with guidance on how to respond when stopped (even for just minding your own business) by the police, how process it when people step away in an elevator when they see your son who is of colocr (and yes I’ve actually seen this happen and been shocked and saddened) and honestly, how to survive in a world where you are often initially judged on a threshold issue such as color. As a mom, I am saddened at times to have to even discuss this with the kids, but as they get older, it becomes a necessary survival tool, with Trayvon Martin’s death being a prime example of why it can mean life or death. Instead of denying that racial prejuduce and stereotypes remain, why can’t we do the work together to ensure that the next generation isn’t STILL quibbling over the same trivial issue?
K's Mom
March 23rd, 2012
8:07 am
@TDWE I am embarrassed that your screen name uses my beloved War Eagle.
@JATL perfectly said.
Although the shooter seems to have used a slur, I am unsure if this was indeed racial or a complete nutjob, wannabe rent a cop playing out a Hawaii 5 0 fantasy. Much like JATL I get weary of the race card, but in this case it may just get justice for a dead CHILD. I wear hoodies to the park several times a week and I am a 37yo white woman, so I do not understand why that makes this child threatening. And have any of you not seen skanky white kids at the mall that make you hold your purse tighter, I have in Alpharetta at Northpoint (I hate that mall because of it).
One of my dear friends is black and has 3 biracial boys…I hate that she will have to use this as a lesson for them and my white boys will get a certain pass by society.
OpenEyesCANSee
March 23rd, 2012
8:12 am
@JoeDon says Black people “lead the way…” yet @JoeDon LIT “the way”. Frankly “F” you @JoeDon.
jacket22
March 23rd, 2012
8:15 am
I am so sick and tired of every time a black person is shot it becoming a national news story..every time it happens the dead person was a saint or an angel yet they were doing something they were not supposed to be doing or they were somewhere they shouldn’t have been or basically as in this case being a typical thug black male disrespecting anyone and everyone, he was simply questioned as to who he was and why he was there. Had the little thug been smarter and answered the question he would be alive but no he had to buck up, mouth off and start a fight…got his but shot for his trouble. everyone of these blacks that are marching and mouthing off on the news just see this as an opportunity to get on the television..they have no clue what happened yet they claim to know the shooter left home that morning with the intent on killing a black teenager..where were they when that BLACK man shot and killed the grocery store clerk for no reason? I tell you where they were at they were at home not giving a crap…Black people are the most racist people on the planet, regardless of how many crimes a black person commits they justify it by saying it was just because someone somewhere repressed them and forced them to steal, kill or whatever..Ever notice it’s never ever the white people who are marching, crying, whining or anything when a black man, cop, or not shoots a white person? WONDER WHY? ITS BECAUSE BLACK PEOPLE ARE RACIST IDIOTS!!!!!!!!!!!!
ernie
March 23rd, 2012
8:18 am
you know what i used to like black people until i moved to atlanta. black people really got some nerve. whites arent afraid of blacks they just want nothing to do with them. most all of them are loud, rude, disrespectful, they think they are entitled to everything because of slavery 200 years ago, and being mistreated 60+ years ago. they all copy one another, every black man i see has dreadlocks now and days and wears true religion jeans, they think selling dope, shootings, being arrested and running from the police, and spending money on rims, cars, and clothes is cool. rap music is annoying, its annoying that they wear skinny jeans and thick rim glasses because they think they are little wayne. get over yourselves, and start tipping at the restaurant where you will spend 150 dollars on a tab and tip 5 bucks or nothing. if the blacks want respect they need to respect themselves first. whites dont hate you and keep you down, you do a good job yourselves, and blacks make fun of other blacks for their skin color, they call each other red, yellow, black, brown, blue and purple. bottom line is that blacks are the most racist race in this country. when they look out for their own its ok but if white people look out for one another theyre racist.
emommy
March 23rd, 2012
8:18 am
@JoeDon and all who made inciteful comments, here’s a thought question: How would you feel if in an ordinary situation, like simply walking down a street or walking in a mall or store to shop, someone looked at you (without knowing you) and drew their own conclusion about who you are as a person, based on your skin color or ethnicity? If you have never experienced that, and I would daresay that most people of color have at least once in their lifetime, then you have NO idea how Trayvon Martin’s family or any person of color feels…race card or not.
JB from East Point
March 23rd, 2012
8:24 am
It doesn’t matter what your race is, dress like a ‘hood and you will be thought of as a ‘hood. People dress in the way in which they want to be perceived. You can read a book by the cover. You never hear of well dressed AAs getting into these situations. Why would someone wear a hooded sweatshirt on an 80 degree night? He was up to no good. “Yes, officer, I was just going to the store for sweet tea and skittles”. How many times have you seen cops or bait car and the suspect says, “what, I wasn’t doing anything.” Someone needs to tell these kids that they aren’t going to be a rapper or a producer, focus your efforts on doing well in school and dress for success. Dressing like a rapper only gets you into trouble no matter your race.
Thomas
March 23rd, 2012
8:25 am
Florida law as written protects the shooter. I am sorry to see any unjustified criminal activity resolved this way. I think Black Americans should also be outraged at the fact in Chicago alone last weekend 3/16,17 18th 40 blacks were shot and 9 died including a 6 year old girl . The shooters? black thugs. Where are the buses and the million people outcry against this atrocity?
Where is the outrage and contempt against blacks on black crime?
homeschooler
March 23rd, 2012
8:25 am
I think he wasn’t arrested immediately for a lot of reasons. One being that the shooter had obvious signs of physical injury, indicating self defense. Later, when more details came out, like the fact that the shooter followed the individual when told not to.
I do think Trayvon was scared of the guy following him, but I don’t think he was a scared little kid. I think he was a tough kid whose reaction was to put his hood up and walk slow until the guy approached him and then turn around and beat the crap out of him. He told his girlfriend “I’m not going to run”. I’m not saying he was wrong for doing this. Some times I wish more kids would be taught to fight instead of run. I just think the combination of a over zealous (probably prejudiced) guy and a ready to fight kid resulted in a horrible tragedy.
Now, notice I said prejudiced. Many people prejudge black males because of what they have seen and experienced. This is different from being racist which is one who believes his race to be superior. Being raised in the south, I know a lot of prejudiced people. I know very few racists.
I heard Erik Erickson (sp?) on WSB yesterday talking about how he knows racism is still alive because he has seen people assume that his black friend dressed in a suit was parking cars. (is that racism or just ignorant people who are not around educated black people). He also said that he has seen taxi drivers drive past his black friend and then immediately stop to pick him up. Is that racism or have these taxi drivers been robbed or not payed or received no tip from black people so they choose not to pick them up. That’s prejudiced not racist. Ask any person who has worked as a waitress, who tips better, white or black people. Even black restaurant workers I know say that black people are bad tippers and waiters would rather wait on white people. (prejudiced not racist)
Did anybody see the movie “Up in the Air” with George Clooney when he told the girl to get behind the Asian people in line at the airport. I hated that movie but loved that scene. There is racism and there is prejudice and there is bigotry and stereotyping and they all mean very different things.
The only way to change (and is will take many, many more years) this is for hard working, high valued intelligent black people to make changes in their own communities. The blacks need to stop perpetuating the race issue and teach their children what whites have been teaching their children for years. Skin color does not make a difference. It is the way you act, dress and carry yourself. Have high integrity, make friends with like mind people who have the same values. Sure we will still have issues for a while but it can be overcome.
One of the saddest things that every happened to me as a white DFCS case manager was to watch a video called “A Girl Like Me”. You can find it on youtube. Little black girls (very recently) were given two dolls one black and one white and asked who the good one was. They reluctantly (and it will bring tears to your eyes to watch) pick the white doll. I asked two black male colleagues how, in this day and age, that can be possible. Aren’t black children constantly told they are equal and good and beautiful. The guys told me that it doesn’t matter what you tell them, they see all the nicely dressed, sweet white teachers at school and all the perfect white families on TV and then they see their uncles and brothers selling drugs on the street corner. These guys basically told me that any time I was nice to a black child it could perpetuate their belief that whites were the “better” race. That crushed me. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson are not going to help. They just make things worse.
Wow, sorry this was so long. I just had a lot to say.
bert
March 23rd, 2012
8:26 am
I love these shirts the people are wearing “am i next?” yea probably by your own race.
March 23rd, 2012
8:30 am
“The race card is still needed because racists remain in positions of power, especially in the south.”
Hogwash.
independent thinker
March 23rd, 2012
8:30 am
Folrget about the black wnd white part of this travesty of justice. Too many people have guns legally who are unfit to own guns due to the NRA opposing all restrictions. Couple that with “stand your ground” laws passed in 21 states and anyone could be the next Trayvon Martin, Ever hear of road rage? All the shooter has to tell the police is the other driver chased and threated him and they can walk away with immunity. No wonder that killings that were deemed justified self defense tripled in Florida after the law passed. Regulate who is fit to own a gun and punish severely the gun dealers who sell in bulk to criminals cheap guns and hold owners responsible when their gun is used in a crime unless it was stolen, and repeal the license to kill laws Then the violence will diminish. But thanks to the NRA, a biased Supreme Court that mis interpreted the second amendment, and a president that is scared to take on this issue and it will only get worse.
usually lurking
March 23rd, 2012
8:32 am
Thank you emommy. We have the “walking while teenaged” talk with our sons on a regular basis (we are white, non-Hispanic, FWIW). The attitudes expressed by the trolls on the blog today make me very sad. I agree with emommy that the racial biases have indeed become more open since President Obama was elected.
Really?
March 23rd, 2012
8:32 am
Here here, Homeschooler!
jacket22
March 23rd, 2012
8:33 am
hey emommy get an education and some common sense please..everyone does the same thing we all draw conclusions of people we don’t know regardless of their race. Have you ever been in a Mall, school, work, standing on the corner, driving down the road and simply looked at someone you didn’t know and thought something about them? Of course you have and if you deny it you are not only stupid you are a liar as well.
JoeDon
March 23rd, 2012
8:35 am
For OpenEyesCANSee, well said…I also expect that your comments are about as deep as you can articulate the subject.
For emommy, thanks for the compliment. but you misspelled “inciteful”; it’s spelled “insightful”, which is a perfect positive descriptor of the comments that I wrote!
☺☻Have A Smile!
March 23rd, 2012
8:35 am
“ How would you feel if in an ordinary situation, like simply walking down a street or walking in a mall or store to shop, someone looked at you (without knowing you) and drew their own conclusion about who you are as a person, based on your skin color or ethnicity?”
Actually I have, and I’m white. I’ve had my share in hateful looks, physical threats (including with shiny razors), physical assaults, and much more in my lifetime from blacks. And I’m not a trouble-maker by nature.
The difference is I don’t whine and b1tch about it as if I’m in an “oppressed minority.”
Everyone’s experience is different. However playing the race card achieves nothing, and is a pathetic excuse for avoiding the root of the problem(s), whatever person, group, or race they may be.
Suck on that for a while.
Van Jones
March 23rd, 2012
8:46 am
This has been bugging me for days… Why, when being followed, would someone put their hoodie on? It limits vision and hearing plus makes that person look like they don’t want to be identified.
I’m not faulting this young man for it but, rather, wondering why he would do it.
Me
March 23rd, 2012
8:48 am
@K’s Mom — I concur with you on the poor use of our War Eagle symbol… Otherwise, I cannot weigh in as I’m not African-American, my kids are all grown, and I don’t know what advice I would provide. I will state, however, that I think, to whatever degree, that there will always be remarks and actions predicated solely on race. It shouldn’t be that way but I think it always will. As far as the incident in Florida, I wasn’t there so I don’t know what transpired.
Name (required)
March 23rd, 2012
8:55 am
Are you really “African”-American if you, your parents, your parents’ parents, and their parents were born in the US?
The Black Hand
March 23rd, 2012
8:57 am
I think we should bring back segregation and put an end to all of this! Its obvious that there will always be racism in the world, especially down south, by the comments on this story!
The same weak white boys that talk big behind a computer screen would keep a zipper on their mouth in the presences of a black man!
My solution to this problem is segregation, we must become a self contain race, black businesses, black banks, black schools, black hospitals, black neighborhoods, EVERYTHING BLACK!
Oh yeah, exceptions will be made for black snake loving white women but not the fat ugly ones, yall can keep those and wife’em like only white men do!…LMAO
Cutty
March 23rd, 2012
9:00 am
The problem is that too many folk place an entire race into a group. I am black and I don’t care about the violence that goes on in chicago, Atlanta, etc. I don’t live there. I have no more connection to them than a stranger at walmart. You folks have to understand that 95 percent of all folk are decent people and they want the same things that you want (house, car, job, family) and strive for that. The impression that I get is that we are a race of thugs and criminals who live off the government and cry racism. That is no more true that the perception that people have of white southerners in that they are racist,uneducated, ignorant, and incestous people. My father always told me not to judge any man that I didn’t know. again I am black and I wouldn’t walk in certain areas of the city at night.
usually lurking
March 23rd, 2012
9:03 am
@JoeDon, I think perhaps emommy meant incitable. Nothing insightful about your comments, IMHO.
Robert Graul
March 23rd, 2012
9:03 am
A child is a child, whatever color and as parents we need to stop failing our children. While they are raped, beaten, abused and murdered. I don’t know if Zimmerman is guilty, all I can say is the world is now minus a smart child who liked skittles. I know to the world, this is not a big deal. However, to his parents it is. This should be a wake up call to ALL parents, whatever color! It is up to us to stop the violence EVERYWHERE! I am a white male, and I am colorblind. Stop building this up as a race issue! It’s a child and everyone of us should take responsibility. We owe our children a safe environment to grow up in. One with hope! Both political parties are garbage, so please don’t make this political.
Robert Graul
S.H.A.R.P (Skinheads against Racial Prejudice)
EOC (equal opportunity commenter)
March 23rd, 2012
9:05 am
It is a tragedy regardless of race. Life is too precious to be taken so cavalierly. If you’re white and feel like crimes against white people aren’t taken seriously then you SHOULD go out and march and protest. That being said, don’t further disrespect this young man and all black people because of the misdeeds of a few.
You don’t want all minorities to start getting on how white people have decimated entire races of people…the Indians in America, aboriginies in Australia, black people in America, Jews in Germany…we can go on and on. The point is blame does not solve the problem. Only genuine communication can do that. RIP Trayvon Martin. I hope you get the justice that you deserve.
Todd M.
March 23rd, 2012
9:05 am
Emom…I’m sorry to crush your fantasy of a perfect world where people don’t make judgments based on appearance but I must. Ya see, we (as humans) have an innate characteristic for survival. We make judgments about people, things, places, based on information we receive, whether it’s from experience, media, and or social interaction. And yes, young black men are judged as criminal threats because…bottom line, they are more likely to commit a crime. Now that doesn’t mean that all young black men will commit a crime. It just means they are more likely too, statistically. Hence, our survival instinct exaggerates the threat for survival. Question…are all pit bulls likely to attack? Probably not, but you will still avoid them. Judgment…hmmm? How about this. I am a 45 year old white male. Are you more likely to allow me or a 45 year old female to babysit your 13 year-old daughter? And of course, I already know your answer. Ya see, we all make judgments. They are not fair, right, or always accurate. But until young black men stop committing a high frequency of the crime, they will be targeted. And by the way…I hope the shooter in this case gets the punishment he deserves if he is proven guilty.
RJ
March 23rd, 2012
9:07 am
“The only way to change (and is will take many, many more years) this is for hard working, high valued intelligent black people to make changes in their own communities. The blacks need to stop perpetuating the race issue and teach their children what whites have been teaching their children for years. Skin color does not make a difference. It is the way you act, dress and carry yourself.”
@homeschooler, until you’ve walked a day in my shoes, you can’t truly understand what it is like to be me. How very presumptous of you to think that the black community does not teach their children the difference between right and wrong. That we don’t educate our children and instill them with values. I come from a family that instilled great values. My parents have been married 41 years. Neither I nor my brothers have ever been in trouble with the law. As a matter of fact, none of my 21 cousins have either. All of my aunts and uncles are still married. I have friends who come from families similar to mine. But you don’t see movies about our every day lives. Instead, all you see or read about is the kid from the projects. The one with the mom on crack. The ones whose father was only a sperm donor. You don’t read about kids like mine and my neighbors. You don’t even read about the all black school in my neighborhood that has ALWAYS made AYP. No, people like you believe what you see. You think the few represent the many. I am here to tell you that you have no idea what you’re talking about. My life is as normal as yours. Your ignorance regarding living Black in America is evident by your presumptuous statements.
Black people have always taught their sons what the world is like being a black male. This is only new to white people. My son already knows how to respond when he’s stopped by a white police officer. There is a reality in this country for Black males that white people don’t want to acknowledge. It’s almost as if they want to believe that only Black people commit crimes. We know what the truth is. We teach our sons the truth. From the comments on this blog, we are doing the right thing. Racism, bigotry, prejudice is alive and well in this country. Being a black person in America, we deal with it every day. It is our reality. But some will choose to believe what they want. That’s fine. We know the truth and teach it to our children. The conversations were had well before Trayvon Martin’s death. They will continue…
DB
March 23rd, 2012
9:08 am
TWG, I’ve written two comments, and both of them have been swallowed — I’m not writing any more, there was NOTHING offensive in either post. I am astonished at some of the nasty, ugly posts that get through the filters while mine gets caught. WTH!
...
March 23rd, 2012
9:08 am
Enter your comments here
Chris
March 23rd, 2012
9:08 am
It’s another bandwagon aimed at earning some money for the kids’ family. The crime isn’t so much justified, but it could have been prevented by either party. In a neighborhood that is averaging 1.2 burglaries per month by known young black men, maybe you shouldn’t mouth off to the neighborhood watch when being questioned. There is ignorance on both sides here. The kid should not have been shot, but this is getting silly.
Read some of the other headlines on the ajc. Every week students (of various ethnicities) are robbed, burglarized or raped over by GA Tech by young black men. Where is the outrage? Where are the marches? Read more headlines and see that somewhere, every day, someone shoots someone in a black on black crime, somewhere in Atlanta. Where is the outrage? Where is the march?
Someone will get sued over this and get a lot of money and waste a lot of tax dollars in court over this. That’s what outrages me. Unfortunately, that’s sort of the way it works in a lot of black communities. Children are paychecks, one way or the other.
Chris
March 23rd, 2012
9:10 am
Who’s outraged over the looters and robbers at the malls when new Air Jordans are released? Where’s the march?
emommy
March 23rd, 2012
9:14 am
@Jacket22: As an FYI, my husband and I are both professionals with post graduate degrees and are tax paying, hard working citizens. Your comment shows your ignorance.
JoeDon
March 23rd, 2012
9:22 am
No, usually lurking, you’re wrong. She meant “insightful”.
ssidawg
March 23rd, 2012
9:24 am
A man KILLED a boy for no apparent reason. Why has he not been arrested? Regardless of the other issues surrounding this case- A MAN KILLED AN UNARMED BOY!!!!
M1chelle
March 23rd, 2012
9:31 am
Why is there more discussion about why the kid was wearing a hoodie or why he put the hood up or what time of night it was… When did a hoodie become threatening? This is America. None of those things are against the law. Why did the guy pursue when told by the 911 officer NOT to do that. How could the guy with the gun who was pursuing someone with no weapon not be considered the aggressor? How can the aggressor plead self-defense? Why did the police not fully investigate the case? THey reported that the Zimmerman didn’t have a record when in fact he did. When so many facts have been released why has this man still not been arrested today? I would be outraged and cry for the parents of this young man no matter what the color of his skin may be.
I am the mother of two young black boys who BOTH brought home report cards with all As in a school where there are few minorities. Both are very popular and well liked honorn students. However, I have to tell them that even though we both see their white friends in basketball shorts, tshirts, and hoodies DAILY that when my kids wear that, people perceive them differently. They see them as thugs. I have to tell them that they must respect authority figures that will prejudge them and believe they are criminals before they open their mouths, even though they are intelligent and well spoken. Newsflash, black people aren’t the only ones who commit crimes, but they are arreested more and prosecuted more harsher. If criminals were pursued equally, the numbers may not be so one-sided, but because they are my sons are now perceived as thugs.
Just reading these comments lets me know that if I don’t teach them that some narrow minded people will assume the worst of them because of what others have done, I am doing them a injustince and not preparing them for the real world. It hurts me to have to introduce these type of race discussion to them when they have friends of all colors.
Prejudice is rampant everywhere by ALL races. When is the last time you looked at a Hispanic and wondered about their citizenship? a black woman with kids and assumed she was single and on food stamps? a white person and assumed they were racist?
The Black Hand
March 23rd, 2012
9:36 am
What really angers me by these comments is there is a prejudice that only blacks commit crimes. We are not the ones that shoot up schools over stupid little teenie bobber problems or kill our parents for not letting us go to the mall!
Being born and raised in Georgia I can honestly say blacks have always and will always be stereotyped.
Example, when black boys have big rims on cars that are sitting up high in the air we get labeled as a “N” but, when you see a white boy with a dirty pick-up truck lifted 30ft. in the air its cool!!!???
What hypocrites you are!!!!
JoeDon
March 23rd, 2012
9:36 am
M1chelle, don’t forget the prejudice being promulgated by Obama between the “rich” and “poor”.
Van Jones
March 23rd, 2012
9:38 am
M1chelle, my post was about he hoodie and it is because I would like to know. That is all the discussion I am aware of.
By the way, 911 operators are not officers and they did not tell Zimmerman NOT to follow. He said “we don’t need you to do that”.
JoeDon
March 23rd, 2012
9:39 am
For The Black Hand, there is no “prejudice that only blacks commit crimes.” Fact is they commit the highest percentage of crimes, followed by Hispanics. By the way, take a look at the percentages of “black on black” crime. You’d probably be shocked, but then, maybe not.
Chris
March 23rd, 2012
9:42 am
Black hand just made an analogy using rims. That’s funny.
Look at the Prison Statistics......
March 23rd, 2012
9:47 am
Look at the % of racial statistics and see who makes up the largest percentage of criminals currently in prison. No wonder you feel stigmatized because your race are the biggest group of criminals! Until you clean up your own pig pen – you will continue to be viewed as a breeding ground for criminals.
homeschooler
March 23rd, 2012
9:48 am
@ RJ. I’m sorry if I offended you. It was not my intention. You and your family are exactly the kind of folks that I believe should be standing up and making a difference to the black children who are not lucky enough to be born into a family such as yours. I’m not a upper middle class white girl who just sees black people on the news and when I drive to downtown Atlanta. I live in South Cobb County. I work in what would be considered the ghetto, I interact daily with black people on all levels from the people in the projects to those in 300,000 dollar houses. I also work with black case managers who are trying every day to make a difference. I try to look at things very subjectively. Of course there are a lot of black people out there who teach their children values and there are many white people who don’t, Maybe I didn’t make my point clear but all I was trying to say is the I DON’T know what makes the black community stay “down” but obviously it is not the white people who can fix it. It is you and people like you. I don’t know what socioeconomic class you are in or what part of town that you live in but where I live there is still a very very big problem with drugs, single moms, teen pregnancy, theft and killings among the black community. What do you suggest as being a way to fix it? I don’t agree that you don’t see good black families portrayed on TV. I grew up with the Cosby show and Fresh Prince etc.. My peers and I were surrounded (growing up in Marietta) with a constant dialogue of equality and acceptance. I don’t think I have a racist bone in my body. Does that mean I don’t cringe when I see a guy with dreads and pants down to his knees walking past my house? He doesn’t have to be black, but usually he is. Yes, I immediately think, ugh what is happening to my neighborhood. Maybe you can enlighten me or maybe you can make a difference but obviously there is a problem that is not getting better with the likes of Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson making things worse. Things are not going to get better until the self esteem and self worth in the black community is raised and whites can not do that. Only you can.
JoeDon
March 23rd, 2012
9:49 am
Chris, good one! And a poor analogy by The Black Hand on yet another front: “…white boy with a dirty pick-up truck lifted 30ft in the air…” = hard working young man on the way to his job.
raymond
March 23rd, 2012
9:52 am
The problem here is not race as much as some are trying to make that the issue. The problem here is the stupid no retreat laws that are being passed in various states these days. It is gonna breed violence. The situation the police are in is they have applied the Florida law the way it is supposed to be applied and if they don’t apply it the way it is supposed to be and arrest Zimmerman, then Zimmerman can sue the department. On the other hand all the political pressure has gotten to the point where the police department looks bad for not making an arrest. You listen to CNN and all they want to talk about is the kid was unarmed but unless I don’t know some things inside the investigation ( which is probably true) the police did what they had to. The police and the prosecutors are going to present the case to the Grand Jury and with all the political pressure you can bet there will be an indictment regardless of what the evidence shows. This is gonna end up bad in that if they don’t indict him the folks that are raising cane will be even more mad, if they do and he beats it at trial they will be pissed again, and the worst thing that can happen is he gets convicted and the evidence showed he did what the law allowed him to do. And of course if the evidence shows he killed the kid unprovoked, the justice system should deal with him as harshly as possible. Never understood why someone would want to be in law enforcement because this is another case where they can’t win, and people are gonna lose their jobs even if they did it right.
Truthhurts
March 23rd, 2012
9:54 am
I have lots of friends of all races. I know African American men and women who will do much more in life than I ever will. I have the utmost respect for them. But the truth is the truth. Young black men commit crimes in numbers disproportional to the rest of society. There are reasons for this, but no excuse. The African American community needs to take control. Stop young black men from killing each other over gangs and drugs. Stop blaming white America and the police. Stop making excuses. It will get you nowhere. I feel for the young mans family if he was truly innocent. But it’s no worse than a young white or hispanic person killed by a black man for what he has in his pockets. But that happens so often it’s not even news worthy. Senseless killing IS “hate”, no matter the “excuse”.
The Black Hand
March 23rd, 2012
9:56 am
@Chris I made the analogy using rims because I think all of us can relate having seen that while driving around town.
FYI I drive a Porsche Panamera 4S so I think both of them look stupid!
emommy
March 23rd, 2012
9:56 am
Theresa asked for some lessons to be learned from this very sad story, so here’s my take:
1) Life is precious, no matter WHOSE life it is. We need to teach our children to not just value their own lives, but the lives of others.
2) As a mom, it’s a sad illustration to our kids to remain mindful and observant of their surroundings AT ALL TIMES. And when possible, spend less time on their cell phones and more focusing on gettinge where they need to be (whether walking or driving).
3) Unfortunately, this situation also illustrates how much work our country still needs to do in terms of dealing with the continued issues with race and ethnicity and simply diversity (i.e. racial, religious, etc.). We need to be in intelligent dialougue about the issue , which is what I think Theresa’s intent was with selecting this issue as the day’s topic.
MsE
March 23rd, 2012
9:59 am
As a black woman, my parents never had to give me “the talk.” But they gave me another kind of talk that parents of all races (especially Southern parents) have with their children.
“You don’t need to wear that because people might think you are….(fill in the blank with whatever)”
I know of other black parents who will refuse to buy their boys baggy pants, etc because they don’t want their child pulled over AND they don’t want their child to be associated with criminal elements.
But unfortunately, I have to agree with some of the posters. We, as black people, need to clean up our backyard and talk more amongst ourselves on why we’re screwing up. I think some Black families are trying. Some are staying in their marriages longer, working and trying to raise their kids with good values. Unfortunately, there is not enough of us doing so. Therefore, our kids, especially boys, get stereotyped. Or, in Trayvon’s case, killed.
Trayvon pulled up his hoodies for 2 reasons: Zimmerman was following him and it had started to rain. He was out at night because he was visiting his dad from Miami and like most teenagers, wanted to get out of the house. Because he was visiting, not living in the neighborhood, Trayvon didn’t know about the break-ins or the neighborhood watch. He probably hit the dude because dude ran up to him, Trayvon didn’t know him, and the dude was following him for a while. Finally, it took two days for Trayvon’s dad to know what happened because the police never answeredTrayvon’s ringing phone and took his body as a John Doe.
Chris
March 23rd, 2012
10:00 am
Not that it pertains to this discussion, but, Black Hand, the Panamera is the second worst mistake Porsche ever made. Talk about looking stupid! And before you go there, yes, my car can beat up your car.
JoeDon
March 23rd, 2012
10:01 am
Dang, Chris, you beat me to the punch!
Jay Black
March 23rd, 2012
10:03 am
There’s not a black man on earth that can shoot an unarmed white teen and claim self defense without being arrested and standing trial to prove it.
The Black Hand
March 23rd, 2012
10:12 am
@ Chris and JoeDon…..Not to go off subject but I’m happy with my car, German engineering at its finest!
We can agree to disagree….
Texas Tea
March 23rd, 2012
10:17 am
I think the parents need to teach their kids that injustices in life come in all ways, and that race is not always the motivation. The neighborhood watch guy isn’t even white, so this whole race bullcrap is pathetic and just shows the amount of racism tirades white people. I’m so glad all of these black people are leaving their jobs to rally for this unjustified story, but I also believe most of these protectors sit on their butts all day long sucking off of the hard work of the rest of society. This is wrong in so many ways, but just gives the blacks another reason to hoot and hollar like they are good at, and takes the focus off what they are known for. Everyone needs to be upset a kid was killed here, but not attempt a race war seeing as the shooter wasn’t even 100% white.
Free Shrugs
March 23rd, 2012
10:21 am
can we please take the race issue off the table-it seems to me that the focus on race in this event is cheapening what happened to this innocent scared, unarmed teenager. the reason I’m outraged about this has less to do with race and more to do with the sanctity of a young man’s LIFE and the facts of what occurred that night. everything about the circumstances that night made Zimmerman sound like a trigger-happy paranoid armed 28 year old w/a long history of excessive crime reporting. he’s the one to blame-the boy did nothing wrong. parent or not, if we have people around like that who are willing to go against 911 dispatcher demands and neighborhood watch policies, I don’t want to be walking around at night when it’s raining while wearing a hoodie in FL! and I’m a 23 year old blond white female! knowing eccentric, paranoid people like Zimmerman are out there, ARMED, and live in states where they have the “stand your ground” laws is enough to make anyone scared, no matter your race.
RJ
March 23rd, 2012
10:22 am
MsE, please speak for yourself. Don’t include me in your “we as Black people” statement. My backyard is quite clean. That is the dang problem. People like you that want to go to the other side and get on the “black people need to” bandwagon. Perhaps you need to clean up YOUR backyard. Or maybe you’re not really black. This is a blog.
JoeDon
March 23rd, 2012
10:23 am
For The Black Hand…check! Actually, Panamera sounds more like a fine cigar than a car. As for me, I have a 1970 Dodge Coronet Super Bee…a fine example of Detroit engineering back in the good old American muscle car days. Environmentalists love it…that big Edelbrock 4-barrel carburetor sucks gas at 13 miles to the gallon and the exhaust system doesn’t include a catalytic converter. Beauty!!
JoeDon
March 23rd, 2012
10:29 am
I wonder if RJ’s “backyard is quite clean” because he doesn’t have a pit bull?
wat
March 23rd, 2012
10:31 am
LOL @ bragging about having a Panamera; ugliest car ever. And weren’t they all recalled?
“Oh yeah, exceptions will be made for black snake loving white women but not the fat ugly ones”
Hate to break this to you mandingo, but the fat ugly ones are the only ones that want you.
Chris
March 23rd, 2012
10:32 am
Start marching!
ajc.com/news/atlanta/person-of-interest-held-1395480.html?bigName=John+Spink&bigPhotog=John+Spink&bigCap=Atlanta+police+take+a+man+into+custody+at+the+Chevron+at+Euclid+Avenue+and+Moreland+Avenue+across+the+street+from+Zesto.&bigDeclCap=&bigCred=jspink%40ajc.com&bigUrl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.ajc.com%2fmultimedia%2fdynamic%2f01343%2f032412_zesto_2_1343475c.jpg&superSizeImage=y
Augusta
March 23rd, 2012
10:37 am
@Ernie 8:18 – VERY WELL SAID!!!!! I have to agree 100%
And I wish the “N” word was totally taken OUT of society. I hate that word, I hate when I hear blacks calling each other the “N” word. It is purely disgusting. It is the one word in the “english” language I would like to see abolished. Unfortunately it’s not going to happen……but let a white person use that word, and bam you’re a racist.
Mike645
March 23rd, 2012
10:39 am
I travel all over the east coast. Regardless of what city I may be in, when the local news comes on…what story is in every broadcast? Local black on black crime. Black men killing black men, black youth killing black youth…every day, every city. Everyone commenting in this post can turn on the evening news…no matter where you may live.. and you will see the same thing. God bless Bobby Tillman’s family. Where’s the outrage? Where’s the marches? Where’s the buses of people being brought in to protest? Where’s Sharpton? Where’s Jackson? Hypocrites.
JoeDon
March 23rd, 2012
10:42 am
A question for the “person of interest” arrested in Atlanta in the shooting of a police officer last night: “How are those dredlocks working out for you now?”
Brown Eyed Girl!
March 23rd, 2012
10:42 am
The comments on this blog really make me sad! A young man is dead! His parent’s had to bury their child! The person that did it told the police it was self defense! The police basically said okay you can go now! They took his body to the morgue and it stayed there for three days! His cellphone was in his possession and the police never went through it to find out who he was for THREE DAYS! 911 tapes reveal a person begging for his life! What is wrong with you people! If you have children, just for a minute imagine calling their cellphone and they don’t answer! Imagine now that your child has been missing for three days! Imagine finding out your baby has been dead for three days and no one told you! Before you start in on my use of the word baby, know this! My two sons (8 and 5) can be married with their own children and they will always be my babies!!! Imagine the person that took your child’s life is probably at home playing on his XBox or whatever he wants to do!
This child was killed on Feb 26th. We just started hearing about it because the local authorities didn’t do their job. These parents wanted answer, just as I would or any other parent would. It has taken all of this for the process to even take place. If that young man was followed by Zimmerman, which we know is true because he said it himself, he didn’t know what Zimmerman’s intentions were. Boys are being abduction, raped and killed just as much as girls these days. Zimmerman, a 28 yr old 200 plus pound man is up against a 6 ft 3 in 140 teenager. The teenager is not winning the fight here! Zimmerman said that he had bruises and blood and grass on his clothing, but no one know that because no pictures were taken. They sent him home, gun in tow! No investigative procedures were followed here! Throw race out of the window and just imagine this being your child!!!! How does this feel now??
WDE
March 23rd, 2012
10:43 am
This is a terrible thing period…Al Sharpton will only make it worst I have a question I have not been able answer, how is that Sharpton wasn’t around when the mob attacks on whites took place last year at the Iowa and Wisconsin state fairs at both events mobs of black teens were running around yelling its Beat Whitey night…isn’t that a hate crime? If this guy shot this young man in cold blood he deserves to die for it, anyway you slice it he deserves some form of punishment, he was wandering around with a handgun playing police officer on the street. If he or his family were being attacked that’s another story and yes he has the right to defend himself with a gun even if his attacker is unarmed…but he was roaming around his neighborhood. He called the cops when he had a concern and that is where he should have left it he should not have gone beyond that unless he witnessed a crime..last I looked been young and black walking on a public street is not a crime…
racecard
March 23rd, 2012
10:48 am
this has to be made about race. If it wasn’t, Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson would actually have to get a real job. they want racism to exist. Racism was born under hatred and kept alive by the “leaders” of the minorities. Without it, they become irrelevant.
blackbird13
March 23rd, 2012
10:49 am
The people who are saying that this can’t be a race thing because the shooter was half-Hispanic are really missing the point. The point is the inept handling of this case by a piss-poor excuse for a police department, one with a history of racial profiling, that may have engaged in a coverup of evidence.
I’m always amazed by the number of so-called conservatives who rail against the government but get weak-in-the knees when it comes to the lowest strata of government, the enforcers.
Cracker Jack
March 23rd, 2012
10:52 am
What about the all out assault on anything White (non-hispanic) that has been going on for the past decade or so? Proper dress is acting “white”. Respect for authority and law enforcement is acting “white”. Doing good in school is acting “white”.
Whites (non-hispanic) are fast becoming the minority in this country. There is a quest through our horrific immigration policies to force (non-hispanic) Whites into extinction in this country. Middle and upper class white families are having fewer kids and one of the reasons is their outright fear of what the future holds. The sad thing is the reversal of fortune and power won’t happen. The US has a bleak future.
Everyone is refering to Trayvon, the scared child innocently walking down the street eating his Skittles. Trayvon was a TEENAGER (practically an adult) with hormones and adreneline running through his body, that was also hyped up on loads of sugar and who know’s what else! The photo used to portray Trayvon the dead child in the media also adds to the rhetoric.
The liberal media machine in this country is fueling the fire. Rarely is it mentioned that the shooter is LATINO, and when it is brought up, the confusing label of white-Hispanic is used. Why? Because White is bad, and Hispanics require compassion for all their suffering.
White (non-hispanic) parents are the ones that should be concerned about what is going on in this country. The rest of you now majority – minorites need to clean up your own communties before pulling the discrimination and race card ad naseum. Demographics in the US are not in your favor to cry wolf anymore.
The Black Hand
March 23rd, 2012
10:58 am
@Wat “Hate to break this to you mandingo, but the fat ugly ones are the only ones that want you.”
If you want to tell yourself that in order to feel better then so be it. You can catch me at the Hawks games with 1 every now and then and I can guarantee she is NOT fat, ugly, or the white trash type!
“LOL @ bragging about having a Panamera; ugliest car ever. And weren’t they all recalled?”
Speak on what you know, I have a 2011 4S model, only the 2010 base model Panamera was recalled due to malfunctioning seat belts and nothing else! And who says I was bragging, if the car is ugly to you that is your opinion but I happen to LOVE my car. I’m the only one paying the notes on it so your opinion doesn’t matter to me at all!!!
Cracker Jack
March 23rd, 2012
11:05 am
Where is all the outrage for black 15 year old Dawtntrae Wilson killed in Gwinnett a few months ago. He was threatening his therapist and his own family with a machete, and they were forced to lock themselves in a closet to call 911. Law enforcement was called to the home where they were charged at by this “innocent child” still slinging the machete. The police shot and killed him in defense.
Why is Trayvon’s life more important than Dawntrae? Where was the outrage locally? Why did thosands of black Atlantans feel the need to bus trip-it to FL in defense of Trayvon?
The biased media in this country is playing the race card. Our own metro newspaper is the worst offender locally.
Augusta
March 23rd, 2012
11:05 am
Anyone who spends that kind of money on a car, has no sense at all. It’s a freaking car…..4 tires, steering wheel, transmission, windows, air, seats, stereo……same things my car has, and I haven’t had a car payment in over 10 years……and my insurance is less than $100/month.
You can keep your expensive Porsche. Sorry about your penis……
JoeDon
March 23rd, 2012
11:05 am
“Can’t we all just get along?” Trivia question of the day…Who said it?
Brown Eyed Girl!
March 23rd, 2012
11:05 am
Cracker Jack, Trayvon turned 17 two weeks before he was killed! The picture that has been displayed of him was what he looks like now. He was a very young looking boy. I can relate to that because no one has ever been able to tell how old I am. Most folk are usually 10 plus years off. By the way, the boy wasn’t “hyped up” on anything because they actually did both a blood and background check on him, but did non of this for Zimmerman!! The point is, a boy is dead and nothing was being done. Like I said, imagine if it was your child! No matter what your thought is about Al Sharpton, he has brought attention to this where no one else were listening to these parents that just wanted justice for their son!
JoeDon
March 23rd, 2012
11:07 am
Augusta, how do you know about The Black Hand’s penis? Is there something that you’re not telling us?
Brown Eyed Girl!
March 23rd, 2012
11:08 am
Let’s see, a machete welding child vs skittles and an ice tea! Oh yeah, I can see how you can compare the two!
crabapplejoe
March 23rd, 2012
11:16 am
Meanwhile, over in Sarasota, a black kid is on trial for the execution murder of two British tourists who stumbled into the wrong neighborhood…….he made them pull down their pants and just shot them point blank for no reason……where is the outrage…..where are the bus trips and protests? I see the “great unifier” is even weighing in on this one saying “if I had a son he would look like Trevon”………perhaps he will call this a teachable moment and have some beers in the Rose Garden…….geeeeezzzz
The Black Hand
March 23rd, 2012
11:17 am
This is crazy everyone is giving me flack about my car! Can we get back at the subject at hand please.
This is my last post, time to concentrate on work!!! So squash all the chatter!!!
blackbird13
March 23rd, 2012
11:18 am
One of the great things about social media is that it makes harder for incompetent and corrupt police departments to cover up their dirt. The previous police commissioner in Sanford had to resign because a cop’s son was caught on video committing a cowardly assault and no arrest was made–until the video got out.
LawDawg
March 23rd, 2012
11:24 am
This death is an absolute tragedy. It is absolutely insane that some guy from a neighborhood watch can chase a kid down, corner him, shoot him, and not be arrested. In Georgia, he would almost certainly be arrested and then have an opportunity to present a stand your ground defense at a pre-trial hearing.
The fact that Zimmerman was not arrested at all and the police just took his word for what happened is absurd.
LawDawg
March 23rd, 2012
11:27 am
Cracker Jack : You don’t understand analogies, do you? That example is like saying everyone got mad at Casey Anthony for killing her baby, but no one got mad when Melinda Gates gave a bunch of money to charity, therefore boo white people. It simply is not analogous
Cracker Jack
March 23rd, 2012
11:27 am
I also failed to mention that Dawntrae was bi-polar with severe mental disorders. Still, what makes Trayvon more news worthy and the poster “child” for young black men. Trayvon was not a child, he was 17.
Al Sharpton’s mother died yesterday. Guess the publicity of a dead black man trumped his own mother and grieving family.
PS: When people give you specific information about the car they drive ( McMansion, bank account, etc) on an anonymous board, most often it is an outright LIE!
Mike645
March 23rd, 2012
11:27 am
@MsE
That’s holds true for every parent of every race. And I’m sure everyones backyard could use a little cleaning. If you walk around dressed like a traffic cop someone will eventuallly ask you for directions.
LawDawg
March 23rd, 2012
11:33 am
While this is a terrible situation, this sentiment:
“Why is there more discussion about why the kid was wearing a hoodie or why he put the hood up or what time of night it was… When did a hoodie become threatening? ”
is asinine. The reason that people feel threatened by young black males with hoods up at night is because most muggings are perpetrated by young black males with hoods up at night. That is certainly not to say that all (or even a significant percentage) of young black males are muggers, but most muggers in Atlanta are young black males. I have friends of all races, but I certainly profile strangers.
Profiling gets a bad wrap, but if I am at an ATM, I am not worried about a woman or a guy in a suit (of any color). The person I am going to get nervous about is the guy with his hood up.
AJC blogs never disappoints
March 23rd, 2012
11:34 am
, …being a forum for closet racist to hide behind their keyboards.
Anyone who says this was not racial profiling does not even deserve the time to have a serious conversation with. This country has and will continue to have a race problem until their is an honest discussion about white privilege the socio-economic divides, and access to education and capital for all persons.
It is evident that many of these out-dated ideas are still prevalent by the offerings the GOP have for president. Do not kid yourselves, this whole debate about birth control access is in response to white women not having enough babies to prevent the “browning of America” so policies are being attempted to be put in place to slow down the imminent day when white people will have to walk around in fear because they are no longer in the majority.
Cracker Jack
March 23rd, 2012
11:35 am
On a final note, LawDawg is most likely not a lawyer. Why do people feel the need to come on blog and create fantasy lives for themselves?
Justice for Dawntrae Wilson. Peace out …
Well I am afriad...
March 23rd, 2012
11:35 am
…of white men in white hoods.
LawDawg
March 23rd, 2012
11:35 am
Cracker Jack: Good job doubling down on nonsense.
Steve1
March 23rd, 2012
11:42 am
Pretty simple here: Stop causing our funerals or start attending some of your own.
Talking time is done. Be well!
TrishaDishaWarEagle
March 23rd, 2012
11:50 am
@K’S MOM
remind me why I should give a damn how you feel
The Coz
March 23rd, 2012
11:50 am
What do you mean black “parents”? The “baby daddy” is long gone so it is the mom raising the kid.
crabapplejoe
March 23rd, 2012
11:51 am
@AJC Blogs: “White Privelege”…….the shooter was hispanic. And tell me again why are white folks going to have to “walk around in fear” when they are not the majority? Heck we’re only about 15% of the world’s population so we are the true minority anyway…..we just make most of the contributions to discovery, science, medicine, etc. to move the human population forward…..so we seem bigger and more omnipresent
crabapplejoe
March 23rd, 2012
11:52 am
@Steve1: Most of your funerals are caused by other black males………think about it….
Ditto
March 23rd, 2012
11:52 am
“Do not kid yourselves, this whole debate about birth control access is in response to white women not having enough babies to prevent the “browning of America” so policies are being attempted to be put in place to slow down the imminent day when white people will have to walk around in fear because they are no longer in the majority.”
JUSTICE FOR TRAYVON!
Steve1
March 23rd, 2012
11:54 am
@crabapplejoe: Thought about it. My position remains.
Ditto
March 23rd, 2012
11:55 am
“Trayvon turned 17 two weeks before he was killed! The picture that has been displayed of him was what he looks like now. He was a very young looking boy. I can relate to that because no one has ever been able to tell how old I am. Most folk are usually 10 plus years off.”
BLACK DON’T CRACK – unless you do crack!
Brown Eyed Girl!
March 23rd, 2012
11:57 am
crabapplejoe, the key words in your blog is “ON TRIAL”. That is the problem with this case. Nothing has been done. This man was not arrested. He’s at home!
Ditto
March 23rd, 2012
11:59 am
“Al Sharpton’s mother died yesterday. Guess the publicity of a dead black man trumped his own mother and grieving family.”
WE MOURN FOR LIFE!
Brown Eyed Girl!
March 23rd, 2012
12:01 pm
Ditto, not quite sure how to take that!
Ditto
March 23rd, 2012
12:05 pm
“President Barack Obama weighed in on the case Friday, calling the shooting death a “tragedy” and saying “every aspect” of the case should be investigated.
Obama was asked about the case following a White House Rose Garden ceremony. The president says he feels sorry for the parents of the suburban Orlando teen and says “every parent in America” should understand why it is “absolutely imperative” that the case is investigated.”
PRESIDENT OBAMA SPEAKS TO HIS PEOPLE! Whites can go to H…………
BloodRedeemed
March 23rd, 2012
12:23 pm
This sad situation has reminded us that this old sinful world is but temporary. We must assure our salvation through Christ the Redeemer. For the here & now, We ALL need to embrace the only true peace & happiness to be offered….via the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Confess thine sins, ask repentence via the acceptance of Jesus as Savior. Learn & live by His Holy Word. Embrace the precious love of He whom died for the sins of all mankind!
RJ
March 23rd, 2012
1:12 pm
@homeschooler, first, I am like MOST blacks! I grew up in a community where two parent families resided. I now live in a neighborhood that is the same. You keep making assumptions about the black community. Furthermore, I doubt that where you work is the ghetto. For the record I teach in a very poor school in APS, but it still ain’t the ghetto! Your experiences with these kids don’t represent the majority of black America. The black community as a whole is not “down”. My neighbor owns a dental practice, another is an author, another a record prodcuer, teacher, truck driver, etc. We are NOT down. I have never been “down”. The kids I teach come from generational poverty. It’s a tough cycle to break. But it’s not my story, nor is it the story of many people I know.
Cosby Show and Fresh Prince all you got? Thoses shows are 15 to 20 years old! Lol! We all buy into some of the stereotypes. But you can’t lump us together. You cringe at dreads but I cringe at grungy looking white boys. I know white people commit more crime.
I am thankful that we have Rev. Al Sharpton. He stands up for the rights of minorities. I find a lot of people in denial about racism. “Oh if blacks would stop pulling the race card.” Well, when it ends, it’ll stop being pulled. Until then I am glad that Al Sharpton is fighting. Now Jesse Jackson, ummm, I don’t know anyone that cares for him.
Soccer Milf
March 23rd, 2012
1:26 pm
I thought Obama was going to stop all the racial stuff? It seems like every month there is a new one like the beer summit. Obama comment on any black on white crimes lately.
No one knows the facts other than these two had a fight and one got shot. Again Obama speaks out on a black victim while whites are victimized ad naseaum….how many people of white skin have been attacked due to race?
Soccer Milf
March 23rd, 2012
1:27 pm
Anyone thankful for Al Sharpton needs to have their heads examined. he is a racial profiteer. Here is a guy who made a REALLY inflamatory jewish comment and he gets a pass but he wil not let anyone else get a pass for a comment in line with him.
Soccer Milf
March 23rd, 2012
1:28 pm
Its obvious Obama is sure this is a racial issue.
Stacey
March 23rd, 2012
1:32 pm
I started typing a comment earlier but was so upset about some of the garbage I’ve read here today that I erased it. RJ (both posts) and M1chelle pretty much summed up my comment. I was born in 1970 and my mother hoped she would never have to have the “Living while black” conversation with me but it became necessary soon after I started school. I hoped that surely I would need to have it with my son (born in 2001) but I have. This story has made me have to reitterate some lessons and that make me very sad. I just about accepted that my grandkids will have the talk with their kids also.
Soccer Milf
March 23rd, 2012
1:34 pm
The lessons from this is if you are a teenager if you want to act hard you put yourself out there to be hurt. Thats not a white or black thing….thats just we live in a world where people are guarded due to issues around us. If you want to “front” then you put yourself out there to be hurt.
Jay
March 23rd, 2012
1:40 pm
@Jacket22 – it’s not evertime a black person is shot it’s national news…you are making assumtions about Treyvon and you didn’t read all of the information, nor did you listen to the tapes. If you would have listened to the tapes you would know that Zimmerman was told by 911 to stand down…do not chase or follow the young man and that police were on the way. He didn’t listen! Treyvon’s cell phone records showed he was on the phone w/a female friend…that friend did say that he wasn’t going to run just walk fast to get back to the apartment. For your information he was not somewhere he wasn’t to suppose to be. the fact that you said that clearly indicated you are racist. Treyvon didn’t disrespect anyone (and you wrote that garbage like you were there). I am going based on the facts of the case. The friend says zimmerman asked what are you doing around here..and before Treyvon could answer zimmerman pushes him…this is when she lost contact w/treyvon. Now Jacket22 let me follow you walk up behind you, stalk you, and ask you what u doing around here…and see if you won’t be scared out of your wits too. it’s people like you who are the spawn of the devil! the true problem of this case and why it should be national news is this:
1. Zimmerman stalked/followed this CHILD (not a thug as you indicated you fool)
2.Zimmerman did not listen to the 911 (POLICE DEPARTMENT ORDERS!!) to not follow the child
3.Zimmerman ASSUMED he was older
4.Zimmerman attacked the CHILD
5.Zimmerman threw him to ground, face down sat on his back and shoots him in his chest, (not his leg so he couldn’t run, or hand –point blank range!!
6.Zimmerman is not the police, not a part of the neighborhood watch (he appointed himself)
7.After the police arrives, they don’t take Zimmerman in for questions, alcohol testing nothing
8.The news reported they just bagged up Treyvon’s body, don’t look for his parents right away
9.When they do find his mother…instead of taking to the coroner’s office to identify him, they just showed her a picture of his bloodied body
10. Stanton PD withheld too much info from Treyvon’s case because they all know Zimmerman crazy ass was guilty and they tried to cover it up.
If it wasn’t for this national coverage this whole cover up would have never been UNcovered…Now I’ll bet other stories are going to come out because of this…How about all of this happens to you…let’s see how much you will like it then huh…..I and by the way…it’s not about race had this child been white, asian, latino, etc…I would be still upset as I am till now…….
Soccer Milf
March 23rd, 2012
1:41 pm
People are hostile towards blacks cause the color of their skin!!!! Come on you have got to be kidding me! Its not a skin thing its a culture thing.
When you have movies, music and mind sets that anyone who steps up will get dealt with do you honestly thing other sub cultures are going to not be guarded?
Soccer Milf
March 23rd, 2012
1:47 pm
Cutty….great comments, but I do think that blacks in general have a lack of self accountability. To easily do we hear claims of racism on the newswires. Instead of these constant cries of racism why not focus on some of the real issues with black communities like where is the dad mentioned in this article?
Proper parentling will solve is the ounce of prevention that would cure a lot of blacks (and whites) ailes.
crabapplejoe
March 23rd, 2012
2:08 pm
Let’s get something straight here…..Treymon was not a “little boy” or “child”……the pictures the media is showing are from when he was like 12. He was a 6′3 seventeen year old athlete. Zimmerman is like 5′4. Treymon was on top of Zimmerman and beating him when he was shot…..self-defense.
March 23rd, 2012
2:27 pm
Enter your comments here
March 23rd, 2012
2:32 pm
The “Al Sharpton Plan”:
1. Find any relatively hot topic involving someone black
2. Get my face on TV and talk about “justice”, “fairness”, “racial sensitivity” and other words used to illicit an emotion-based response from people not particularly bright
3. PROFIT :D
4. Go back to giving a damn about real justice until #1 reappears. For fun, make any kind of comment against other races without fear of repercussion
Augusta
March 23rd, 2012
2:52 pm
Unless you were there, you cannot state facts. Your facts are provided by the media, who manipulate the public.
There are only two people who know what truly happened. Unfortunately, one of them is dead.
Denise
March 23rd, 2012
3:07 pm
Soccer MILF – Trayvon was visiting his father. This was his father’s neighborhood.
homeschooler
March 23rd, 2012
3:13 pm
That is true, Augusta but I did hear the 911 call from Zimmerman and from the eyewitness who saw Trayvon on top of Zimmerman. You can get a pretty clear picture of what happened. Like I said, over zealous community watch guy with a gun vs. ready to fight teen. Bad combination. Terrible tragedy. The family and the protesters are going to make Trayvon look as innocent as possible (ie.. the picture of him when he was like 13) which is really unnecessary because, well, it seems he was innocent. The media loves this stuff because they go right along with perpetuating racism.
RJ..fine, maybe I spend too much time on Six Flags Drive. Still your account of the black community is not reflected by statistics. higher percentages of blacks are in prison. Higher percentages of blacks are single parents. Higher percentages of black children are abused and neglected. I guess you think the white people just make up all these statistics. If so, I guess we are done discussing this because I was giving you more credit than that.
Free Shrugs
March 23rd, 2012
3:14 pm
@Soccer Milf
did you really just say that the lesson to be learned from this is that since Trayvon was a teenager living in a hard world with bad issues, he should’ve been more careful walking around a neighborhood at night? that seems to say that he was shot because he was a teenager “putting himself out there to be hurt”…blaming the victim much?! sheesh.
BlondeHoney
March 23rd, 2012
4:08 pm
Trapped in the filter. Sigh
DB
March 23rd, 2012
4:30 pm
@JonDon: The actual quote was “People, I just want to say, you know, can we all get along?”, by Rodney King.
Jay Black
March 23rd, 2012
4:58 pm
All these crimes you guys are mentioning that black people should have outrage for HAVE SUSPECTS IN CUSTODY!! That’s why the outrage is so prolific in this case. An armed man shot an innocent BOY dead because he was profiled and prejudged, and he is STILL walking around free even in light of the new evidence that directly contradicts the suspect’s story. AND the police botched the case and won’t fully acknowledge that.
Jay Black
March 23rd, 2012
5:04 pm
@crabapple- WRONG! He had just turned 17, he is a child in the eyes of the law. Witnesses put him FACE DOWN on the ground with Zimmerman on top of him. How is it self defense when Zimmerman is the only one with a gun and he’s the aggressor? If that’s the case, half the people in prison could claim self defense.
Mrs. Hawkins
March 23rd, 2012
5:07 pm
I came on this website and this blog, thinking that I was going to read about heartfelt comments to Trayvon’s family..but as I began to scroll down I was utterly disgusted by some of the things that grown women and men are saying. The comments that were stated by RJ, Jay, and Brown eyed Girl, are the only ones that had sincere concern and emotion and stated facts. The rest of the comments on here are just opinions, no true fact behind any of the bull. What is so funny to me is people can get on here and speak about statistics and fail to mention the history of this country. I believe it was crabapplejoe that stated that caucasians were responsible for science, medicine, etc..now if you really knew history you would have know that the “moorish people’ who were black or dark skinned Africans who resided in North African, mainly Egypt, invaded Europe bringing with them, astrology,musical arts, science, and very many different subjects, for it was the Africans who civilized Europe..when the catholic church got a hold of it they burned down the black libraries and destroyed most of their books, and claimed it was invented by them..Plato anyone.. Please know your history..but to get back to the story at hand..If you know the history of this country..Blacks have been accused , charged, and sentenced for more crimes than any other race, yes that is true, but did you know that 65% of those black men in jail have been falsely accused..Did you know that whites commit just as many crimes, but the thing is, most whites are never caught, or someone makes a deal..its just not a race issue its a social economic issue..And how do think alot of the rich white people have generational money.. easy by disinfranchasing people..and drug money,,there are so many white people, tied up in crimes is crazy, but they never get caught, or they get a slap on the wrist..Im not trying to make this racial but all the signs are there.. but believe this people brainwashing is real..coverups are real…brainwashing starts in elementary when they try to teach your children their bullcrap that we are supposed to accept as education,,,brainwashing is so real in the black community, that we hate our own and we kill our own, becasuse we have been brainwashed to believe that white is right.. and as parents we need to insteal in our kids that we are the most gifted people on earth…but at the end of the day.. a young man lost his life cause he was young, black male…IF I was him I would have been scared, cause everytime i turn on the news, kids are being kidnapped..he probably thought he would be next.
Jay Black
March 23rd, 2012
5:15 pm
@soccermilf- If you haven’t seen the dad in this case, then you most definitely don’t know any of the story. The father has been all over national TV.
Mrs. Hawkins
March 23rd, 2012
5:20 pm
Thats the prime example of brainwashing,
‘black kids dont have fathers around”, thats what they want you to believe…Trayvon was killed in his DADS neighborhood..clearly soccermilf has not been following the story
Anj
March 23rd, 2012
5:26 pm
What nastiness abounds!
Someone hand me the brain bleach.
Jay Black
March 23rd, 2012
5:27 pm
@Mrs. Hawkins, AMEN! Crabapplejoe probably knows nothing about history to make a statement like that. He probably believes Christopher Columbus discovered America.
crabapplejoe
March 23rd, 2012
5:29 pm
@Mrs. Hawkins who wrote: z’..now if you really knew history you would have know that the “moorish people’ who were black or dark skinned Africans who resided in North African, mainly Egypt, invaded Europe bringing with them, astrology,musical arts, science, and very many different subjects, for it was the Africans who civilized Europe..when the catholic church got a hold of it they burned down the black libraries and destroyed most of their books, and claimed it was invented by them..Plato anyone.. Please know your history”
Oh geeezzzz……not that Afro-centric bullsh!t again…..the sad thing is that you, and lots of other blacks, actually believe that nonsense……I’m trying to find a building in Sub-saharan Africa that looks like St. Paul’s Cathedral or Notre Dame or thousands of other architectural examples in Europe……help me out there. Go look at the list of Nobel Science winners……are they all “black Moors”……LMAO at the silliness within the black community……its like y’all are all teenagers…
Jay Black
March 23rd, 2012
5:52 pm
Crabapplejoe, You’re comparing apples and oranges. The Moors are from Saharan Africa, you know, where huge Pyramids were built as perfect equilateral triangles BEFORE any of your European “marvels”. They brought math and science to Europe with them and, as Mrs. Hawkins said, the Catholic church came along and wiped out anything that was opposed to them, copied the knowledge, and built your St. Pauls Cathedral and Notre Dame. You’ve proven the point by merely mentioning those Catholic buildings. And since the Nobel Prize was established in 1895, of course there would be no Moorish recipients since the Moors were around 600 years earlier.
crabapplejoe
March 23rd, 2012
6:44 pm
@Jay Black: The Egyptians weren’t black…..I hate to break the bad news to you buddy…..now go south of Saharan Africa and find me a civilization that did anything anywhere near comparable to what the Europeans created…..its just laughable that’s all…..comparing mud huts to St. Paul’s Cathedral and then trying to pretend that the people who lived in mud huts are responsible, somehow, for the great flourishing of civilization in Europe…….LMAO over and over again…..so the Moors DNA hasn’t been passed down to their descendents? Funny how the same DNA that built the great civilizations and societies in Europe seems to be around today winning Nobel prizes…..DNA is DNA and that is the wealth of nations. You could swap out the populations of Lagos and London and within a generation or two Lagos would look like London and vice versa……..the average IQ in sub-Saharan Africa hovers around room temperature…..you can’t build a functioning society around those numbers……and that gets proven again and again as that very same DNA is transferred to places like Haiti……
RJ
March 23rd, 2012
8:42 pm
@Homeschooler, you apparently are spending too much time on Six Flags Dr. It is also apparent that it doesn’t matter what I tell you. I doubt that you are unfamiliar with the history of our country. Furthermore, socioeconomics play a larger role regarding much of what you’ve stated than color. Again, that generaltional poverty that I spoke of. I could go into detail but I doubt that you’d want to know the facts. Frankly, you are more like George Zimmerman that you’d like to admit. This is why black males have to fear for their lives in America. This mode of thinking will keep this country divided.
Mrs. Hawkins
March 23rd, 2012
10:19 pm
@crabapplejoe…Europeans love bragging that they invented things….Im sorry that you have a highschool education, and that you have been brainwashed to believe that Egyptians were fair skinned, like Hollywood portrayed them to be, Eilzabeth Taylor, perfect example…For someone who has actually traveled outside of the United States, as myself, African descendents are everywhere. Ancient Eyptians were dark skinned, in your eyes black, Also when the moors invaded Europe they came back to Egypt with thousands of European slaves, thats why alot of modern day Egyptians are more of a brown skin tone…why do you think there are so many whites in Africa, I bet your one room classroom didn’t teach you that.. Its ok..Its clear that you are a product of your environment…God bless you, I hope that you educate yourself more and more each day…But as for Jay Black thank you for proving my point,, when you have melanin you are truly gifted and blessed, but they want our children to feel cursed..Its actually normal to be..brownskinned or dark…its when you dont contain melanin your mutated..please research it..but back to the subject at hand,, no one is perfect…but GOD..so no matter what anybody says … we should all come together in like mind and pray for Trayvon’s family, Trayvon’s soul, and Zimmerman’s soul..cause God will have the final say so..and also pray for all the kids who have either been found dead and who are still missing..and if no one can agree to prayer and justice then your just sick and you opinion is not needed
Mrs. Hawkins
March 23rd, 2012
10:30 pm
Everyone be blessed and have a wonderful weekend! Justice for Trayvon Marttin, and for anyone who has lost a child to crime..
crabapplejoe
March 23rd, 2012
10:34 pm
@Mrs. Hawkins: You need to get down on your knees and thank the good Lord that your ancestors “cousins” sold them into slavery so you could be here in a Western culture enjoying all the benefits of what the white man has produced and invented over the years…..I don’t think you would fare too well in sub-Saharan Africa living in a mud hut listening to witch doctors. As for my education and international travel…..I have two post-secondary degrees…..and have traveled outside of Bankhead Highway….unlike yourself……LMFAO at the utter ignorance of blacks who embrace the whole Afro-Centric BS….which most scholors laugh at behind their backs…..Try calling a modern day high class Egyptian “black” and see what you get back….LOL
MsE
March 23rd, 2012
11:50 pm
@Mike645–true, true. You’re right. I stand corrected.
@RJ–I’m not Black, huh? Oh you really want to go there? Don’t be trifling….really doesn’t look good on anonymous blogs
ATL06
March 24th, 2012
10:11 am
Wow at this these posts. First off as a parent I am hurting for this family. I have a son and I cannot imagine what they are going through I would be beside myself. I would be hurt no what race the child was because he was still a child that hadn’t even began to live yet. He had so much to look forward to. Do I think Zimmerman was a racist? I have absolutely no idea I don’t know the guy but he did racially profile Trayvon Martin. The Sanford police messed up big time with this case they basically said that this young mans life was not important. Had Mr. Zimmerman shot and killed a white kid do you honestly think he would not have been arrested already? We can argue the black and white issue all day long there are bad people who are black and there are bad people who are white there are bad people in the world. It is what it is. As far as what @ Homeschooler has said about the foster care system I’m sorry to tell you but I have worked with the foster care system and as messed up as the black children that I have worked with were the white ones were by far the worst. I was floored by the amount of sexual, physical and mental abuse that was inflicted on those children it is truly disgusting. I am saddened by what has happened but I am so proud to see so many people of different races and nationalities come out in support of this young man.
Jay Black
March 24th, 2012
11:24 am
@Crabapplejoe, cmon now, have you even seen drawings of King Tut? He’s as black as the night sky! Nefertiti was also BLACK. For you to have two post secondary degrees, you sure sound ignorant and full of yourself considering you obviously know NOTHING of what you speak. Come on, mud huts?? Sub Saharan Africa is as civilized as Europe. Cape Town, Johannesburg, Nairobi, Accra, Lagos. I’m starting to think you’re putting on a front about those degrees. Your Euro-centric view of “the world owes the white man everything” make you sound like a blatant Georgia racist. You would probably be one to shoot an unarmed hooded black teen yourself just for walking on the same sidewalk as you.
crabapplejoe
March 24th, 2012
12:14 pm
@Jay Black: Here’s the reality…..but you can keep believing in your Afro-centric fairy tales:
UNESCO convened the “Symposium on the Peopling of Ancient Egypt and the Deciphering of the Meroitic Script” in Cairo in 1974. At that forum the “Black Egyptian” theory was rejected by 90% of delegates,[129][130] and the symposium concluded that Ancient Egyptians were much the same as modern Egyptians. The arguments for all sides are recorded in the UNESCO publication General History of Africa,[129] with the “Origin of the Egyptians” chapter being written by Diop.
More recent comparisons between the DNA of both modern and ancient Egyptians would appear to support the UNESCO view that modern Egyptians are genetically much the same as the ancient population.[4]
In 1996, the Indianapolis Museum of Art published a collection of essays, which included contributions from leading experts in various fields including archaeology, art history, physical anthropology, African studies, Egyptology, Afrocentric studies, linguistics, and classical studies. While the contributors differed in some opinions, the consensus of the authors was that Ancient Egypt was a North African civilization (although ethnic type was not mentioned), based on Egypt’s geographic location on the African continent.[131]
BlackParent
March 24th, 2012
3:46 pm
All black parents should advise their kids to stop worshipping the rap and gangster culture and start acting like upstanding Americans. Also to stop killing other black people, since 90% of violence is black on black crime. Stop blaming dead Americans from the 1860’s and 1960’s and start looking at what they can do to improve their lots in life.
Walter Little, Jr.
March 25th, 2012
3:25 pm
I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again, stop defending the scumbucket who shot an unarmed 17 year-old! He – the shooter – had been told by the 911 operator DO NOT FOLLOW HIM and he chose to disobey a lawful order and killed someone. The boy was doing nothing wrong – up to and including defending himself – he was just at the wrong place at the wrong time and some Clint Eastwood wannabe killed him. Sheesh!
black but not proud to be American
March 25th, 2012
7:13 pm
I tell my kids: This is America. No matter what they say or try to con the world into thinking, it’s only the land of the free and home of the brave if you’re a white man. They’ve lost their minds ever since Obama won the election and I’m surprised that that hasn’t resulted in an open season of lynchings on black people already.
The Rational Poet
March 26th, 2012
12:17 am
“I tell my kids: This is America. No matter what they say or try to con the world into thinking, it’s only the land of the free and home of the brave if you’re a white man. They’ve lost their minds ever since Obama won the election and I’m surprised that that hasn’t resulted in an open season of lynchings on black people already.”
I suspect this is a joke, but I fear a lot of African Americans feel this way. The big issue we are dealing with right now is that most White Americans see this as a post racial America, but African Americans are still obsessed with race. Since Black voters always vote in lock step for the Democrat Party they did not elect President Obama – White people did. Only when African Americans put their outdated beliefs away can this country ever move ahead.
black but not proud to be American
March 26th, 2012
1:07 am
@ Rational Poet: It’s no joke. Unlike First Lady Michelle Obama, I have yet to experience the day where I been able to say I was proud to say I was born in your country.
As for your statement, I say this: Only when European Americans put away their hate and the sense that their white skin affords them the right to command any non-white to show proof of belonging — Obama’s papers (of birth), for example — will this country move ahead. When that happens and the George Zimmermans become the exception and not the rule of what America stands for, I’ll proudly stand up and pledge allegiance to your country because then and only then will it be my country, too.
Until then, I spit on America and all (the lies) she stands for.
black but not proud to be American
March 26th, 2012
1:09 am
typo: should say “…experience the day where I’ve…”
The Rational Poet
March 26th, 2012
1:19 am
I hope one day you overcome your racism, but more importantly I hope you don’t pass it on to your children.
black but not proud to be American
March 26th, 2012
1:48 am
I’m not racist: I’ve have white friends; they’re just not American. They agree that racism exists in Europe but at least many European countries are actively looking to put equality in action or working toward it. White Americans, on the other hand, hate blacks, Hispanics, Muslims, etc. Everyone thinks Hitler was defeated in WWII. The reality, his legacy lives on right here in your country.
As for my kids: I tell them it’s wrong to prejudge others but when it comes to Americans (particularly the southern-accented ones) assume the whites have nothing but hate at their core. In one sense, I can understand how the George Zimmermans of America come to be. Yours is a country that was begat out of hate, feeds on it and celebrates it.
My kids will be protected; they have dual citizenship, since my wife carries a EU passport. When they become 11 years of age we’ve decided that that will be the time we move to Europe so as to keep the sting of America’s hate of all people who are brown-skinned at bay.
The Rational Poet
March 26th, 2012
1:59 am
Come on your posts are really jokes – right? I mean aren’t you just trying to start an argument with someone? Surely no one can be as ignorant and racist as you are pretending to be.
a_mom
March 26th, 2012
4:14 am
On the subject of whites being racist, I just wanted to say that homeschooler@8:25am made some very good points about racism vs. prejudice; i.e. racism is believing your race is superior and prejudice is feeling a certain way based on your experiences. If a taxi driver doesn’t want to pick up a young black man late at night is he racist? Or has he heard of too many other taxi drivers who were robbed by young black men?
Jesse Washington, a black AP journalist, just wrote a piece on teaching his son The Black Male Code. He mentioned at the end of his story how his wife saw him walking down their street once in a black sweat suit with the hood up and wondered, “what’s that guy doing in our neighborhood?”. So was she racist, too? I was glad to see he was honest enough to admit that lots of people, even other blacks, are leary of young black men – they commit a disproportionate number of violent crimes.
I’m white, have some very good black friends, live in a nice neighborhood with all types (whites, blacks, hispanic, asian). I’m proud of my ancestors, but don’t feel superior because of them. However, I would never want to drive into parts of SW Atlanta at night. Would you? If not, does that make you racist to assume you might be at risk to do so?
blackparent
March 26th, 2012
8:30 am
@black but not proud
Guess what. The thing you are teaching your kids? That’s what keeps racism alive. Your racist attitude and filling their heads with the same garbage will cause them to behave with negative attitudes towards every white person they meet. The thousands of families like yours that act the same way will lead them to a life of entitlement and crime, forcing good white people to ask “why is it always the blacks?”
Way to continue to perpetuate the race war and to keep it generational. You have no one to blame but yourselves. Your racist attitudes create a prejudice that is not entirely unwarranted.
black but not proud to be American
March 26th, 2012
12:08 pm
black parent: If you read carefully, I said American whites, not all white people. In my experience, white Americans are the most hateful, so I tell my kids we don’t mix with them. Foreigners are more enlightened so I’m comfortable with my kids being around them.
blackparent
March 26th, 2012
1:02 pm
So please move. Maybe if enough of you that feel this way get out of this country, we can finally get past your racist leanings and the responses to them.
Soccer Milf
March 26th, 2012
2:12 pm
If you are not proud of America….please move.
Amazing how some of the info regarding this story is slowly being leaked out. I am not saying Zimmerman is probably not guilty of excessive force and maybe murder, but this story is told by the media like Zimmerman was a hunter stalking an innocent fawn. This kid had a hand in this confrontation.
Soccer Milf
March 26th, 2012
2:16 pm
I have not followed this case too closely, but from what i have read this is an example of overzealous gun nut versus keepin it real trouble maker.
No excusing the shooting but this kind of thing happens everyday in America between all races and creeds. Why is this some sort of call to 1960 civil rights?
Soccer Milf
March 26th, 2012
2:17 pm
So the kid was visiting his dad???? So the dad was not a permanent fixture in his day to day life? That is what I mean by…WHERE IS THE DAD???
In tact families is a pretty good take away from most of Americas news articles today.
Soccer Milf
March 26th, 2012
3:06 pm
So now a 13 year old witness claims to have seen and heard Zimmerman being beaten by a guy 6 inches taller before the gunshots……wow!
Lets look at what we do knwo about this cae…..Zimmerman disobeyed the 911 operators orders to stand down and not follow and Martin was shot and killed. Thats about it.
Amazing how we have all passed judgement on this case with little or no other facts.
The Rational Poet
March 26th, 2012
3:33 pm
Yes, “Black but not proud” needs to pack up and move back to whatever decrepit bankrupt Euro-Trash country he is from. If the ideas expressed here are real someone like that has nothing to add to the debate or society as a whole.
Soccer Milf
March 26th, 2012
3:37 pm
It just amazes me how we want this guy hung up….lynched if I may be so bold….and we want due process for OJ and Mike Vick.
This story is just another attempt by the media to move the racial agenda forward to detract from trom Americas rapid deline to Europe.
black but not proud to be American
March 26th, 2012
3:56 pm
Soccer Milf, I guess you haven’t been clued in: 50+ percent of your married countrymen and women end up getting divorced. And as for me moving back, I was born here, I just don’t have the blind love and loyalty to a country that has done so much harm not just to black people in this country but countless other black and brown and yellow people around the world.
Poet: I’ll take Euro-Trash — as you call them (name-calling, how American) — over rednecks and narrow-minded,intolerant, hillbilly Bubba’s like you.
Soccer Milf
March 26th, 2012
4:45 pm
Uhhh….you just proved my point….if marriages are ending in divorce at such a rapid rate why are we not looking to solve this. Marriage today is based on the image and feelings of love and not the vows and commitments that real love is about.
As for Europe…I have been to multiple locations for weeks at a time in Europe and I can tell you they are not enlightened nor better. They just think they are. Its a sterile and unfriendly place. People relyu on the gov tlke helpless babies.
CPA
March 26th, 2012
4:56 pm
@Soccer Milf – I won’t get too caught up in whether he is innocent or guilty. I do however think that he should have been arrested. If not murder, he should have been charged with manslaughter – and innocence or guilt should be proven in the court. The parents started talking to the media only after the police closed the case 2 weeks ago citing “self defense.” Instead of testing Zimmerman for drugs and alcohol, the police tested only the dead 17 year old. The parents felt contacting the media was the only way they could get justice. There are just as many eye witnesses against Zimmerman as there are for him.
Soccer Milf
March 26th, 2012
5:02 pm
Again….all I know for a fact is that Zimmerman disobeyed the 911 person and someone is dead. Should Zimmerman be arrested based on those facts? If there is indeed a chance he was defending themselves why put yourselves up for a lawsuit by jumping to an arrest. We blast the Atlanta PD for arresting Ray Lewis withhout total facvts and we cruzify this PD for doing the exact opposite.
I mena honestly how absurd to say we should have charged him with at least manslaughter without knowing what that PD knows or knew.
Soccer Milf
March 26th, 2012
5:04 pm
Was scott peterson arrested wen the cops “thought” he did it or when they knew they had a case. Where is Zimmerman going to go? Your going to arrest a guy when a 13 year old witness says he was on the ground being hit? I am not saying Zimmerman should or should not be arrested cause I dont know and neiter do you. This whole story is a media sensationalism story t create a divide and throw us off the track that the economy blows, housing blows and undermeplyment and emplyment blows.
Meanwhile the prez is in Korea telling the ussians to just wait for him to get reelected before we surrender all nuclear programs on and honor agreements with putin. Okkkkaayyyy….
Soccer Milf
March 26th, 2012
5:15 pm
Let me get this straight….our prez spoke against this without all the facts being sorted and the media and black population piled on….ala Duke lacrosse….and now we have athe black panther party putting out a bounty on this guys and who is arresting them? Who is speaking out against them doing Klan style justice?
CPA
March 26th, 2012
5:45 pm
Soccer Milf – I’m black and I never sided with OJ, Michael Vick, Scott Peterson or anyone else that did wrong. My husband and I teach my children the same, regardless of race. Manslaughter still could apply to this case. Zimmerman pursued him. The 17 year old probably thought he had to defend himself from someone following him. None of that matters, because Zimmerman pursued him. As I stated before, there are other witnesses that says Zimmerman shot him in cold blood. Hopefully, all of these people can get together and a jury will decide.
CPA
March 26th, 2012
5:53 pm
I read about the Bounty thing issued by the Black Panther party. That is wrong – plain and simple. I believe the president should be neutral. I did not get involved with the Duke fiasco either. The only reason anyone has had to get involved with this case was because the police department closed the case 2 weeks ago. That’s why Al Sharpton is involved, that’s why the nba is involved, that’s why the media is involved, that’s why all of these different marches are going on. It is a huge mess.
crabapplejoe
March 26th, 2012
9:47 pm
@Black but not Proud: Thank you for teaching your kids segregation and I look forward to you and your family moving to “enlightened” Europe……expect to be surprised at what you find. Meanwhile….back on the Traymon case…..turns out he’s a thug who was on a ten day school suspension for drugs….not a five day suspension for “tardiness” as the family led us to believe. The “gated community” turns out to be an apartment complex with mulitple recent burglaries. The “white” shooter turns out to be Hispanic….or as the media now portrays him “White Hispanic”. The “child victim” shown in numerous photos from when he was 10-12 years old turns out to be a 6′3 seventeen year old with tatts and gold teeth. The physical evidence and eye-witness testimony all point to the fact that Traymon attacked the Hispanic guy….yet, Al “remember Tawana Brawley” Sharpton and our great leader continue to fuel the flames of racial/politcal theatre
Travons Mom
March 26th, 2012
10:38 pm
Hi y’all. I have trade marked my sons name so that he will not die in vain. For 9 dollars get you travon t shirts and DVDs. Axe how to donate to the travon fund as well. Stay blessed playas
Mrs. Hawkins
March 26th, 2012
11:05 pm
Really? This is getting insane
Mrs. Hawkins
March 26th, 2012
11:08 pm
Who cares about suspension, or whatever,, the little boy is gone…Elvis was a druggie, but people praise him like a God!Lets be for real, murder is murder, no matter what some one did, nobody deserves death, no one….
A person SMART enough to know......
March 26th, 2012
11:14 pm
If you think the Travon case is bad check this out. http://worth-reading-blog.blogspot.com/2010/08/knoxville-horror-channon-christian.html
Scotty
March 26th, 2012
11:58 pm
Was he going to get candy or smokin weed in the bushes?
Warrior Woman
March 27th, 2012
9:26 am
How about parents telling their kids not to rush to judgement without all the facts?
I being an American
March 27th, 2012
12:52 pm
Crabapple: I’m sure you know that “Hispanic” is not a race. One is negroid, caucasoid or mongoloid. So Zimmerman, by that definition, is caucasoid. Of course, in your in-breed mind, facts and science probably don’t matter. Europeans aren’t perfect, but they’re not as hateful – or evil – as you Americans.
Torpedo
March 27th, 2012
2:12 pm
BLACK PARENTS, DON’T U DON’T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING…THIS IS NOT A BLACK AND WHITE THING, ITS A THING OF AN IDIOT PERSON WITH 2 OUNCES OF AUTHORITY WANTING TO BE THE NEXT HERO OF THE WORLD. NOTHING ELSE!!!! I DON’T THINK HE GAVE A RATS TAIL ABOUT THE SKIN OF WHO WAS BEHIND THOSE CLOTHES. SHOULD HE BE PROSECUTED, ABSOLUTELY, THE 911 DISPATCHER TOLD HIM TO STAND PAT. HE ( THE SHOOTER) IS AN IDIOT!!! I UNDERSTAND THE BLACK AND WHITE THING MAKES MORE NEWS BUT I AM SICK OF THIS BEING FLIPPED TO A CIVIL RIGHTS CRAP!!!
Torpedo
March 27th, 2012
2:18 pm
“I being an American” …”Europeans aren’t perfect, but they’re not as hateful – or evil – as you Americans”…..
Europe, much like the U.S HAS its challenges when it comes to race…..As early as last year,they had to stop a professional soccer match over thousands of fans screaming racially offensive things towards and African player. Just reminding you in case you haven’t been to Europe recently, they have the same challenges we do here.
A person SMART enough to know......
March 27th, 2012
9:36 pm
Hahah Europe is having a HUGE race problem. having an even bigger problem with Muslims. Somebody just wants to be an American hater.
wrestler
March 28th, 2012
4:40 pm
You all know that when Al and Jesse are gone alot of this racism stuff will go away. Of course there are some local nuts..Bozeman..Hutchins… but they don’t go national since they are not known outside Atlanta and can’t make money off it.
crabapplejoe
March 29th, 2012
10:21 pm
@I being an American: Actually, Zimmerman would lean a little more to the “Mongoloid” category based upon his DNA……but I think the MSM has settled on “White Hispanic” to keep the “race card” going……I suppose we will start referring to our dear leader as “White African American”……LMAO at this stuff.