George Zimmerman trial raises questions of race and racial language (White guilt warning)

The Oregonian ^ | June 29, 2013 | Kathleen Parker

[2ndDivisionVet]

The trial of George Zimmerman, accused of fatally shooting Trayvon Martin, inevitably and quickly devolved into a contest of who is more racist -- the victim or the accused?

The question was inevitable because the prosecution is basing its case largely on the suggestion that Zimmerman profiled the 17-year-old African-American, allegedly deciding he was a potential threat by virtue of his race.

This assumption was somewhat complicated Thursday during testimony by 19-year-old Rachel Jeantel, a friend of Martin's who was talking to him by cellphone shortly before he was shot. Sidebar: Poor Jeantel. Whether she is a credible witness will be determined by the jury, but the rest of us really ought to cut the girl some slack. She is young, obviously playing on alien turf and having a tough-enough time on the witness stand without further commentary. She may, indeed, be the best argument yet for keeping cameras out of the courtroom, but that is another discussion. Jeantel's contribution to the race discussion included a quote she attributed to Martin when he told her a "creepy-ass cracker" was watching him. No doubt Zimmerman did seem creepy. He was following Martin after all, who, as far as anyone knows with certainty, was merely walking home from a convenience store. Does Martin's use of "cracker" mean he was a racist and, therefore, may have instigated the struggle that, according to the defense, compelled Zimmerman to shoot Martin in self-defense?

Jeantel told defense attorney Don "Knock-Knock" West that, no, she doesn't consider "cracker" a racist term. Apparently, most whites don't either. In street interviews aired Thursday, CNN found that whites are not as offended by the term "cracker" as they are by the N-word......

[2ndDivisionVet]

They actually pay her to do this?

[Tainan]

...Portlandia....its real.

[NoLibZone]

The party of the Confederacy feels guilty and pushes that guilt onto the party that beat the Confederacy.

[RC one]

It has to be racial because that helps portrays blacks as victims and the democratic party as their only hope for justice in America. This isn't a trial, it's just another opportunity to control your mind.

To quote the late great musical genius, Frank Zappa:

I am gross and perverted

I'm obsessed 'n deranged

I have existed for years

But very little had changed

I am the tool of the Government

And industry too

For I am destined to rule

And regulate you

I may be vile and pernicious

But you can't look away

I make you think I'm delicious

With the stuff that I say

I am the best you can get

Have you guessed me yet?

I am the slime oozin' out

From your TV set

You will obey me while I lead you

And eat the garbage that I feed you

Until the day that we don't need you

Don't go for help...no one will heed you

Your mind is totally controlled

It has been stuffed into my mold

And you will do as you are told

Until the rights to you are sold

That's right, folks..

Don't touch that dial

Well, I am the slime from your video

Oozin' along on your livin'room floor

I am the slime from your video

Can't stop the slime, people, lookit me go

I am the Slime" by Frank Zappa

[SeminoleCounty]

Martin also called Zimmerman a “ni——” too. Parker does not want to mention that

White Guilt Liberalism is more dangerous than Black Racism...White Guilt Liberals are enablers

[Fresh Wind]

You have to understand that “n****r” is Ebonics for “person”.

That’s why they use that word with such regularity.

[JoeProBono]

[stylin19a]

so, if you are not offended by a word, then the word is not racist. Got it. Thanks.

[M1911A1]

Here’s a real racists at work. Kathleen Parker thinks some blacks are too dim witted to be held to account for disrespectful, slovenly speech and using racially charged terms. No black person can be racist because they were trampled so badly by history that the spirit simply isn’t in them.

This woman is as bigoted as they come.

[Ken522]

Kathleen Parker was one of the women who loudly derided Sarah Palin when she was running for VP ...

[Enterprise]

"but the rest of us really ought to cut the girl some slack. "

Speak for yourself ya moron.

[hoosiermama]

Creepy as cracker is slang for homosexual male thus her cment. “He might be a rapist ——Run! “

TM also a homophobe ! A reason to start the fight?

[ronnie raygun]

useful idiots writing guilt articles for white folk to read

[Flick Lives]

Frank Zappa quote ping!

[mac_truck]

What does Paula Deen say about all this?

[csvset]

I'm the Slime (subtitled in Spanish !)

I'm the slime (Subtitulado en español)

[BushCountry]

He was following Martin after all, who, as far as anyone knows with certainty, was merely walking home from a convenience store.

The Big Lie

[suthener]

Let me see if I can follow her logic. A guy in a dark hoodie is walking around the neighborhood in the rain apparently “casing” houses. Another guy who happens to be riding by sees him and gets suspicious and attempts to see what he’s up to. The guy in the hoodie is the normal one and other guy is the creepy one. Got it.

[Pollster1]

No doubt Zimmerman did seem creepy. He was following Martin after all, who, as far as anyone knows with certainty, was merely walking home from a convenience store.

We know with certainty that Trayvon Martin was merely walking home.

We don't know with certainty that Trayvon Martin viciously attacked George Zimmerman, inflicting injuries that would give any rational person a justifiable fear for his life. Interesting perspective.