Trayvon Martin and George Zimmerman
The Trayvon Martin case has captured the nation. The case has rightfully so brought up issues such as racial profiling and police protection for and of minorities. In recent days a clearer picture of Trayvon Martin has emerged. Martin’s parents confirmed reports that Trayvon was suspended for having a baggie with marijuana residue. There have also been news reports that Trayvon may have once at school had a screwdriver that resembled a burglary tool. And many people are using these incidents to say that Trayvon was a thug and therefore neighborhood watchmen George Zimmerman was right to pursue him when he was walking down a quiet cul de sac in Stanford, Fl.
However, George Zimmerman did not know any of that when he called the police on February 26-All Star Sunday. All Zimmerman knew about Trayvon was that he was black, with a hoodie, and looked suspicious. After the police told Zimmerman to not follow Trayvon he continued to pursue and told the dispatcher “they always get away.” After Trayvon realizes that Zimmerman is following him a scuffle ensues and Trayvon Martin ends up dead.
The police investigation that followed stated that George Zimmerman said that Trayvon threw the first punch and then he just reacted and that’s the reason why Trayvon was ended up dead on grassy plain of a cul de sac. The Stanford, Fl police believed him based on the Stand Your Ground Law. Because Trayvon is dead we do not know his side of the story. We do know that he was on the phone with his girlfriend but the police did not decide to talk to her about Trayvon side. The police along with Zimmerman figure just another young black man was dead and it didn’t matter.
The Miami Heat Picture:
On March 23, 2012 LeBron James tweeted a picture of the Miami Heat team wearing hoodies in solidarity for Trayvon Martin. LeBron James and Dwayne Wade often and rightfully so get a lot of flack for teaming up to be a super team. But James and Wade stood up for a cause and applaud them for taking a stand and OFFENDING THE NOTION THAT TRAYVON MARTIN’S LIFE DID NOT MATTER. James and Wade know growing up in Akron and Chicago that being black and male is a dangerous combination. And even though they have reached heights that some only dream of –they are firmly aware that they are black males. They understand that they too can be the victims of racial profiling. James and Wade offended that notion that black athletes only care about their money, and they are simply pawns for their team and the companies they endorse. I just want to be the one of many who applauds Dwayne Wade and LeBron James and all the Miami Heat for offending the very stereotype that made Trayvon suspicious and that cost Trayvon his life.
*Please leave your thoughts, comments, and your reactions.
