The most important thing to remember when discussing this case is
that a young man is dead and it is always a tragic loss when there is a loss of
life. With that said, there are many more injustices being perpetrated in this
case in addition to the loss of life. These injustices in no way compare with
the loss of life; however this does not justify these additional injustices.
Let's take a look at some of these key points and perhaps we may
catch a glimpse into who we as a people have become...
1. Zimmerman was a vigilante
Initial claims that
Zimmerman was a cop wanna-be and a vigilante, currently do not appear to be
backed up by the facts that are currently available. Zimmerman was a neighborhood
watch member. In fact, you could argue that some of the fervor that has come
about due to this case has taken on the air of vigilantism at the worst and
inciting violence at the least. There
are several points of evidence for this statement. The first is the tweeting of
what was thought to be Zimmerman’s home address (Fox News, 2012). This kind of action
is irresponsible at the least and potentially criminal. The second is the
bounty placed on the capture of Zimmerman by the New Black Panther Party. This kind
of action incites vigilantism (DeMarche,
2012).
2. Zimmerman was a racist; Zimmerman is guilty of a hate crime
The current claims that
Zimmerman was a racist currently do not appear to be backed up by the facts
that are currently available. According to available information Zimmerman
works with and teaches minority children. This evidence also seems to deflate
the inflammatory and irresponsible claim by a member congress that Zimmerman is
guilty of a hate crime (Brownbill, 2012).
3. Is there a racial component to this case?
Zimmerman is himself a
minority even though some initial news reports described him as a white Hispanic
(msnbc.com staff, 2012). I find this an interesting use of terminology. Were
those initial reports trying to manufacture a racial component to this case?
There are also claims that Zimmerman followed Trayvon because he was black. The
initial full-length 911 call
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9A-gp8mrdw&feature=endscreen) indicates
that Zimmerman wasn't initially sure if the person he saw was black. When asked
by the 911 operator asked if the person was white, black, or Hispanic,
Zimmerman replied "he looks black." Once the person Zimmerman is
reporting comes toward him, he confirms that he is a black male. This seems to
verify that he initially was not sure.
4. Zimmerman hunted Trayvon
The current claims that
Zimmerman hunted Trayvon currently do not appear to be backed up by the facts
that are currently available. According to the Orlando Sentinel Zimmerman
"said he was on his way to a grocery store when he spotted Martin walking
through the Retreat at Twin Lakes" (Basu, 2012). The claims that Trayvon
was “hunted down like a dog” by a member of congress is simply not currently based
in fact and is extremely inflammatory and totally irresponsible (Brownbill,
2012).
5. Zimmerman chased Trayvon; the stand your ground law doesn't
apply
The current facts are
unclear in this regard. According to the initial full-length 911 call, you can
clearly hear the following; Zimmerman indicates that the person he sees is
running away, Zimmerman gets out of his vehicle, wind rushing across the
microphone which appears to indicate Zimmerman is running or at least moving
quickly, Zimmerman's voice appears to indicate he is breathing heavier which
also indicates he is possibly running, the 911 operator asks if Zimmerman is
following the person Zimmerman has reported, Zimmerman replies "yeah"
in response to the 911 operators question, the 911 operator indicates "we
do not need you to do that," Zimmerman replies "OK," the rushing
wind noise stops indicating Zimmerman is no longer running, Zimmerman's responses
to the 911 operator no longer sound winded which also indicate he has stopped
running, and in one of Zimmerman's responses to the 911 operator he doesn't
want to give out his address out loud to the operator because "I don't
know where this kid is." At this point, all we can say for sure is that
Zimmerman saw someone he did not know, he thought they were acting strangely, the
unknown person came towards him at one point, the unknown person ran, Zimmerman
got out of his vehicle and followed the unknown person, the 911 operator essentially
told him not to follow the unknown person, and Zimmerman appears to have
stopped running. While Zimmerman claims to have been approached by Trayvon
while he was returning to his vehicle, these claims have yet to be
independently verified.
6. There is media bias in
this case
The current facts
appear to indicate there is some potential bias in the media. First we have the
fact that Zimmerman is himself a minority even though some initial news reports
described him as a white Hispanic(msnbc.com
staff, 2012). I find this an interesting use of terminology. Were those
initial reports trying to manufacture a racial component to this case?
Second, the initial photos that were released in this case show
Trayvon as a much younger person than he actually was and a several year old
mug shot of Zimmerman. Now, more recent pictures of both individuals have
surfaced and when compared to previous photos there is a stark contrast in
connotation (admin1, 2012).
Third, an ABC news (N.A., 2012) article shows a picture of Trayvon
at approximately age 13 but the description under the picture says age 17. The
ABC article alleges that Zimmerman was told to wait for a police cruiser and
not leave his vehicle which according to the 911 tape is false. This whole ABC
story is full of leading and opinion-style statements.
The bottom line is that there is far too much emotionally-based
commenting and far too little fact-based discussion. In the fact that there was
a tragic loss of life there can be little argument, but it does a disservice to
all involved to make inaccurate, racially-motivated, hate-filled accusations
and outright threats. Demand that the case is reviewed, yes. Demand that all
the facts are collected, yes. Demand that justice be served, yes. Jump to
conclusions and incite further violence, NO!
Admin1.
(2012, March 28). Trayvon martin – updates. Retrieved from
http://www.craigboyce.com/w/2012/03/trayvon-martin-updates/
Basu,
M. (2012, March 28). What witnesses say in the trayvon martin case.
Retrieved from
http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/27/justice/florida-teen-shooting-witnesses/index.html
Brownbill, F. (2012, March
29). [Web log message]. Retrieved from
http://www.saveamericafoundation.com/2012/03/29/a-dangerous-race-war-is-being-promoted-by-the-left-by-fred-brownbill/
DeMarche, E. (2012, March 27). Black panther
leader offering reward for capture of trayvon martin shooter arrested on
charges he's felon who had a firearm. Fox News. Retrieved from
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/03/27/new-black-panther-party-leader-arrested-for-possession-firearm-after-issuing/
FoxNews.
(2012). Legal trouble for celeb tweeters in trayvon martin case? [Web].
Retrieved from http://video.foxnews.com/v/1537883767001/legal-trouble-for-celeb-tweeters-in-trayvon-martin-case
Martosko,
D. (2012, March 26). The daily caller obtains trayvon martin’s tweets.
Retrieved from
http://dailycaller.com/2012/03/26/the-daily-caller-obtains-trayvon-martins-tweets/
msnbc.com
staff. (2012, March). Trayvon martin case audio: Screams were not george
zimmerman's, 2 experts say. Retrieved from
http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/01/10963191-trayvon-martin-case-audio-screams-were-not-george-zimmermans-2-experts-say
Rosenbaum
, M. (2012, March 28). Orlando watch shooting probe reveals questionable
police conduct. Retrieved from
http://abcnews.go.com/US/neighborhood-watch-shooting-trayvon-martin-probe-reveals-questionable/story?id=15907136
