The author
Posted on 06/21/2012 8:18:24 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
“What people often forget in Rodney King's story is that it was not about race — it was about justice — just like the case of Trayvon Martin. Let's not miss another opportunity to progress.” So said Al Sharpton in a piece for BET.com.
Sadly, with the memories of Rodney King’s brutal beating by police and Trayvon Martin’s murder by a neighborhood watchman, it has been difficult to pinpoint what qualifies as progress. The horrific happenings indicated that America needed a wake up call or two.
First and foremost, the injustice that occurred should be a warning to all Americans that no one is safe. Regardless of how much we press for equal rights, as well as individual rights, there will be times when we will need to work out the kinks, and there will be times when we will mourn the causalities. However, the ultimate message is that no one should be safe from correction when they are wrong.
Problem: “Zimmerman Complex”
Simply, George Zimmerman is evil. The main tool which he used to violate Trayvon’s Martin’s personal freedoms was among the things upon which people really disagree: gun laws. Additionally, his “authority complex” also murdered Trayvon Martin; he believed that it was up to him to decide a punishment for a suspect, thus violating all premises of our American justice system.
As my mother would always express to me, “We will never be able to legislate an attitude.” With this reflection, looking at Trayvon Martin’s case is disheartening. Perhaps, even worse, the second message is the most difficult to swallow because it is one to the disproportionately oppressed, black people.
Take Off the Hoodie
Blacks have to cease giving the power to the majority and the satisfaction of keeping a minority down. The entire focus on race is pertinent, but to an extent, unnecessary. By automatically labeling negative instances as a product of racism, (even if the victimization was, in fact, prejudiced), we immediately put ourselves in a box. We put ourselves in a category titled, “subhuman.”
Certainly, racism has changed; the faces of racists have changed a bit; the number of racists have changed a lot. However, the victims of racism will always increase. Today, racism has been altered so much that it has taken the form of one of its infamous byproducts, minstrels—masked mockery.
I say take off the hoodie. This is not to be taken literally, but as a response to the marches done in memory of Trayvon Martin. Many across America, possibly some across the world, supported Trayvon Martin by wearing a hoodie or taking a picture with one. I am not arguing against this. I participated in his memory with deep sorrows for his family, friends, and country. I am bothered because of the reason why all us of wore hoodies. It is safe to say that our hearts wanted to convey, “I’m wearing a hoodie, are you going to shoot me too?” But there is something terribly wrong. We had intentions of mocking an alleged racist murderer, but did we accomplish anything by it? I understand that the hoodies were unifying pieces to a huge campaign against the injustice, but did we get a groundbreaking point across? Unfortunately, we did not completely.
Bryan Stevenson, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative said in a TED talk that "[blacks’] identity is at risk" when referring to the overwhelming numbers of black inmates on death row. This is essentially the main cusp of what allows police brutality and backfires on racial justice. Our (America’s) job is to (constantly) re-level injustices against blacks (humanity)—to salvage our identity.
Trayvon’s Death Was One of America’s Many Moments to Shine
To allow Trayvon Martin, like Rodney King, to rest in peace, America needs to bring justice and judicial reform. Instead of focusing on race, Trayvon Martin’s case should be about making changes, such as the results from the injustice against Rodney King.
Rodney King changed Los Angeles; I think Trayvon Martin’s case has the potential bring about ways to mitigate the injustice in America. Our Constitution’s Preamble affirms, “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice ...” America’s identity is at risk.
(VIDEO AT LINK)
The author
If there is one word that I am frankly sick of hearing...it is the word “progress”.
I guess African Americans have “progressed” by keeping themselves in poor neighborhoods, having 80% of their children out of wedlock, leading the country in arrests, and the general malaise that voting for Democratic leaders in their cities has brought on throughout these many years?
Progress...indeed.
Progressing rather smartly towards hell, wouldn’t you think??
“Progress” = REPARATIONS
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
And if they get what they want.......it will NEVER be enough. Never. Just like a bottomless pit.
by smartly I don’t mean with wisdom or intelligence :-)
I suppose there will soon be laws that prohibit a Caucasian
from defending himself/herself against black aggression.
It will be considered retribution for past evils.
We all know that this Florida case would never have seen the
light of day had the participants been of the same race.
Dear Olivia,
Rodney king was committing a felony (Evading police at over 100 mph) when he got stopped.
I guess Trayvon was like Rodney - breaking the law by assaulting George Zimmerman.
I have a newsflash for you, Olivia. When I am threatened, I will defend myself and my family. I don’t care if you are white, black, red, purple, green... I’m an equal oportunity defender.
Olivia: With all due respect, you’re an idiot, as is your basic thesis.
I suppose there will soon be laws that prohibit a Caucasian
from defending himself/herself against black aggression.
It will be considered retribution for past evils.
Another freeper already suggested that this crime be called "resisting retribution."
What’s interesting is on the main page, the thread above this one is about Gary Ackerman saying the people have gotten dumber. Ahh what does he know. Then I read this.....
I suppose there will soon be laws that prohibit a Caucasian
from defending himself/herself against black aggression.
It will be considered retribution for past evils.
We all know that this Florida case would never have seen the
light of day had the participants been of the same race.
_____________________________________________________________
Seen this???? This guy just sat there and took it. NATCH he was from the Netherlands (and probably couldn’t IMAGINE that he could be targeted). No one came to his defense.
http://www.myfoxphilly.com/story/18841295/search-for-woman-who-attacks-man-on-septa-bus
This article is smug, smarmy, racist crap.
Clearly, the author is both a pinhead and a racist.
She’s a student at Cornell, believe it or not...
Criminal kid “staying” (they never live anywhere) with the baby daddy casing out the next place to rob is followed by someone. That someone turns to leave and criminal follows him and physically assaults him.
If GZ wanted to murder someone, why does he wait until he gets beat up and potentially unconscious with a complex full of witnesses to then fire off one shot?
This is a political maneuver by the prosecutor appointed for this reason. The charges should be knocked out by the stand your ground motion. Prepare for the riots that will follow ANY verdict.
How does race enter into it at all? Hispanic kills black in self defense is somehow symptomatic of an entire culture??
No. It’s an opportunity for the race hustlers who feared a white country elected a black president would put them all out of business. This is a “we still need black studies affirmative action race card can still be played” moment to exploit.
Ah, Cornell must have a very, very, very strong commitment towards enrolling the mentally handicapped. There is no other possible explanation for this retard occupying a slot that an educable person could be occupying.
Admitted on merit or “affirmative action”?
I’m guessing the latter.
Sorry Olivia. America has failed you and not provided you a decent education that would result in fair reasoning.
I am truly sorry you will always be a victim due to a thing that is entirely out of your control but well within mine.
Know this, I do not and never would begrudge a single thing you wished for and worked for.
That is about as racial as gets babe. Grow up. The world ain’t against you so much as your thought process is.
“If GZ wanted to murder someone,....”
then why would he call the cops first?
That’s the response I use to any of the Martin sympathizers when they say “How do you know Zimmerman didn’t have malicious intent when he followed Trayvon?”. So far, I haven’t gotten a single response.
I.Q. 3.45
She’s headed for thr Harvard Law Review no doubt.
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