Trayvon Martin Protests

 

By now, the story of Trayvon Martin is known all across the country and has spread like wildfire. With the aid of the internet, TV, and other forms of social media, the public is much more informed about the incident and wants Trayvon’s killer brought to justice. Marches, vigils, and rallies have been held to show the outrage of communities nationwide and have been extremely successful in supporting the Martin family. People begin to imagine their son or daughter in a similar situation, innocently walking by when something so tragic happens. It strikes a chord in people that prompts them to show their anger and fear which in this particular situation, is aimed at George Zimmerman. Hundreds of people gather in vigils and prayer services for Trayvon while in larger cities, full scale rallies are being held. On Saturday March 24^th, 2012, rallies in Columbia, South Carolina, Washington D.C,  and Chicago took place while more protests are currently being organized. Most of the protesters wear hooded sweatshirts just like the one Trayvon was wearing. Symbolic in nature, this show both support for Trayvon as well as question how a sweatshirt can pose a legitimate threat to someone. Wielding Skittles and Iced tea, protesters can’t help but question how such an event occurred and why Trayvon’s killer has not been charged.  Many are criticizing Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law which is similar to laws in 23 other states. “Stand Your Ground” allows for a person to use deadly force against someone else if they believe their life is imminently threatened and is pretty limited to self defense.

     On Twitter alone there have been 600,000 mentions of the case while 82,000 fan page likes on Facebook and Youtube views continue to skyrocket. It is evident that the case has done extremely well in becoming popularized and that through the power of protest; change might actually become a reality. While it is beginning to look like Zimmerman might actually going to held accountable for his actions, many are forgetting about or avoiding the real issue; gun control and the “Stand Your Ground” laws. It is just as important to raise awareness about gun policies and their reforms as it is to raise awareness about Zimmerman. The two go hand in hand.

Trayvon Martin

Left: Trayvon Martin  Right: George Zimmerman, 

    

     On February 26, 2012 in Sanford, Florida, a 17 year old African American teenager named Trayvon Martin was shot in the chest while returning from a convenience store. While visiting his father and future stepmother, Trayvon walked to the store to pick up skittles and an iced tea and was being followed by a strange vehicle. Inside that vehicle was the captain of the neighborhood watch program who was pursuing Trayvon because he looked to be suspicious. Zimmerman, the neighborhood watch captain, called 911 and spoke to an operator who informed him that following Martin was not necessary. Zimmerman has been known to call police frequently and in four of his calls reported suspicious people in the neighborhood, all of whom were black. In Zimmerman’s call to the police about Martin he can be heard saying “these a**holes always get away”. Zimmerman said in his recorded call that Trayvon was approaching his vehicle but then ran off. Neighbors report hearing a confrontation and a gunshot before going outside to see Zimmerman over Trayvon who was lying face down on the ground. Trayvon was shot with a 9mm handgun that Zimmerman owned and which he should not have been carrying while acting as a neighborhood watch member. There was a very limited preliminary investigation that did not charge Zimmerman and essentially dismissed the case. Fueled by outrage and a desire for justice, this story has gained huge momentum in the media and especially through the internet.

     This story is a frightening glimpse of the injustice that was so common in the times of mass prejudice. From the evidence presented, it is pretty clear that Zimmerman’s “self defense” is misguided while Zimmerman has even outright lied about the events. Before the 911 tapes were released, Zimmerman stated that he did not pursue Martin when in fact he admitted to doing so in the call. Zimmerman identified Martin as a threat from the beginning with no good reason other than Martin was walking in the rain with his hood up “just looking about”. Other than the fact that Martin was carrying skittles and an iced tea, which Zimmerman said he could not identify, Martin was in no way posing a threat. The situation should have ended when Zimmerman called the police. The 911 operator instructed him not to follow Martin and Zimmerman disobeyed that instruction.

     Unfortunately, Trayvon Martin is just another casualty to the hatred spewing, violent world we live in. People all over the country will plead for his killer to be brought to justice, as they rightfully should but give this time and the memory of Trayvon will disappear completely from the public eye and people will move on. Of course his family, friends, and all those who now fear for safety and security for themselves and their children, can never forget the incident. It is very fortunate for the Martin family that the death of their son has gained so much outrage from communities nationwide and that their son’s death became a public atrocity. Many families cannot say the same for their murdered loved ones who largely go unnoticed. It is good to know that there are people who still rally for what they believe in and that communities all over can join together for a single cause. Justice for Trayvon.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505263_162-57402215/outrage-over-trayvon-martin-shooting-spreads/ 

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/03/trayvon-martin-case-timeline-of-events/ 

The "R" Word

     I am a very strong believer in freedom of speech and the right to say what you want, no matter what the circumstances. After reading an article on CNN's website which I will link at the bottom of the page, a couple things became clear to me. The article was centered around the use of the "R" word and the derogatory use of the word "retard". It is about a mother's plea to end the use of the "R" word and more importantly to gain dignity for her intellectually disabled son and others like him. Campaigns and movements to end the use of the "R" word proved to be successful in changing medical definitions and in legislature but have not done well in convincing the ordinary person to discontinue its use. The movements recognize that banning a word is impossible and the incorrect way to approach the situation so they have focused their energy on raising awareness and understanding about people with intellectual disabilities.

     Like I have previously mentioned, I am all for our freedom of speech but this is not really a free speech issue; it is an issue of respect. I took a moment to read through the comments on the article and found this gem of sarcastic idiocracy posted by a user named "opinionguru" who says "Ban all words and thoughts that are not politically correct! It's for our own good after all ...remember, Liberals know what's best for all of us!". Discontinuing the use of the "R" word has nothing to do with being politically correct but it sure has a lot to due with compassion and the words usage. Words are just lines drawn together to form letters which when arranged can be vocalized. Words don't hurt; they are intangible things. It is the emotion and hatred behind words that make them hurt. This is why using derogatory marks, to me, is not an issue of political correctness. I really do not care if people use the "R" word at all but I do care if they are using it as a put down or hateful remark. I think it is important for us to be more aware of what we say and who we are around when we say things that may be hurtful but I do not under any circumstances believe that stopping the usage of the "R" word will do anything to further the respect of intellectually disabled people. Like the campaigns and organizations have said; the only way to end the nasty remarks and opinions is to educate society and to prove that intellectually disabled people are valuable members of society. Once people stop using the "R" word, they will find another word to take its place unless the stigma is eradicated.

     I am torn on this issue but resolve it by simply saying this; don't waste time being a terrible person. Most of us have less than 100 years of life before eternal non-existance. Value all life, no matter how different than you they may be. Everyone has a right to dignity and their own happiness in these fleeting moments. 

http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/07/living/end-r-word/index.html?iref=allsearch