This evening I watched Wolf Blitzer, filling on the Anderson Cooper 360 show, interview two Black professionals about the Trayvon Martin case. The professional were Dr. Boyce Watkins and Vanderbilt law professor Carol Swain.
Professor Swain feels that when a Black male wears a hoodie, it draws unnecessary attention to them. Her philosophy seems to be that Black males should attempt to “fit in” in an effort to be accepted. She also does not feel that race is a factor. It almost sounded as though she was saying that is was Trayvon Martin’s fault for being killed – because of what he was wearing. REALLY?
She also does not support boycotting as she believes it is an outdated solution to this particular situation or problem.
Dr. Boyce seems to believe that this case is all about race. To paraphrase, if George Zimmerman had not profiled Trayvon Martin because he was Black, wearing a hoodie, and walking on the street at night – then there never would have been a situation like his death. Boyce believes it is absolutely necessary to boycott the entire city of Sanford, Florida, where this incident took place.
My questions:
Is this a race issue, or should we let go of the notion of it being about race?
Is this just another way to drudge up old wounds from this country’s past?
What is your opinion about what is really going on here?
Is the Trayvon Martin case about race – or – should we let that go?
SHARE YOU THOUGHTS BELOW.
Letting Go Cafe 
Too much race talk. The two biggest RACISTS in this country are, ASSama Hussein Obama and his BEASTY wife, Michelle. George Zimmerman is already convicted. NOT RIGHT, but true. Racist?? Look at most blacks. If they can use Mr. Zimmerman’s phone calls to police in confirming he is racist, then his attorney’s should be able to bring evidence of Trayvon’s, not so goody, goody personality to court. It show a track record of his actions. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander. Only when it comes to blacks and non-blacks, is it different for some unknown reason. I’ll give you the REASON. Reverse-discrimination. I am Hispanic so how do you EVER call me racist?? Well, if I am, I am. GET ME??? It’s become a JOKE. Your PUNK ASS president is a lot of the cause of more widening of the gap between the races. I would caution him, he may get caught in the middle, if and when it starts. Larry VELASCO, AMERICAN PATRIOT who would propose that Osama Hussein Obama should be JAILED, TRIED, CONVICTED and EXECUTED, NOW.
Hi LaVerne. Thanks for your comment. Wow! You certainly have a lot to say.
I am glad you shared your perspective and feelings about so many topics.
I know Blacks who have held on the notion that they are not racist,
simply because they are people of color. Or people who are non-caucasian,
like yourself.
Please remember – just because you are a person who is non-caucasian,
does not mean you can’t be a racist.
Racist is – as racist does. And besides, the notion of racism is one that
was born and bred here in the US. I feel its simply a smoke screen that keeps
people inundated and focused on minutia.
I feel that our country has really shifted its core values when we have
so little regard for the leader of our country. Even if you disagree with
his policies and platforms, the highest office in the land should garnish
more comments of dignity and regard than what is shown.
For people who are born in this country, raised as Americans, and whose
parents fought in the wars that resulted in our history, there is a different
level of regard for the office of the President – regardless of who
sits in the oval office. And if there is not, there certainly should be.
As for the Trayvon Martin case, it is done. When this post was published,
that case was in the infancy stages. At this point, it has grown up and
has moved away. Time to let it go.
Thanks again for sharing your comments about Trayvon Martin vs George Zimmmerman.
Hello, I really like reading by way of your weblog, I wanted to leave a little comment to support you and wish you a fantastic continuation. Wishing you the best of luck for all your blogging efforts.
Thanks for the support and for visiting the Letting Go Cafe.
I am looking forward to seeing you here more often, and your friends.
Youre so correct. Im there with you. Your blog is undoubtedly worth a read if any person comes across it. Im lucky I did due to the fact now Ive got a entire new view of this. I didnt realise that this problem was so essential and so universal. You definitely put it in perspective for me.
Hi Glenister. Glad that you like this blog. And yes, understanding the need to “let go” is definitely a universally shared opportunity. Hope to see you back here soon. Thanks for dropping by.
Yes we need to change the money game, it’s killing everyone.
Hi Ellen. I think the money game, or our system for valuing products and services works just fine.
It ain’t the game, its the people who manage the game – that create the issues, challenges, and problems.
I would REALLY like to know how many Black teens wearing hoodies
Have been killed by other Black teens wearing hoodies over the past year?
If the number is just one, where was Sharpton and Jackson?
I think the Black community would benefit from Letting Go of race
Baiters like Sharpton and Jackson.
Carlton
I think the entire human race would benefit if whites and wannabe white mexicans would stop harassing people because of the color of their skin.
Hi Jason. Interesting comment about what white people and Mexicans should stop doing. It seems to me that everyone has their biases, even those who are not white and Mexican. The key is to be able to “walk in the shoes” of others before making a judgment about them. Or even better, just don’t judge others at all, regardless of their belief system.
Fighting ignorance with a higher more sophisticated level of ignorance only begets – ignorance.
Its time to let go.
It is a matter of race and also the law. Race because if he was not black male and a person of another race had not killed him outrage would be heard city to city. Mountains would be moved to make justice happen. But because he is a black boy in a hoodie ….. Also proving a hate crime and murder will be hard simply because of how the law is set up. The circumstances of the situation. So many things need to be addressed here so that there is not another Trayvon. Black people get out and vote. Know your congressman, your judges and lawmakers.
@mrslondonlee. I think voting is one way, but there is a deeper issue going on here, or so it seems. I think Thandie Newton expressed it well as she was addressing an audience in Edinburgh Scotland.
I don’t know what was going on in George Zimmerman’s mind and won’t comment about whether this is about race or not. I can offer my own perspective and my own personal experience.
I profile (or whatever you want to call it) all the time and don’t find anything wrong with it. If the passersby on the street are simply passing by, I act one way. If there is a passerby who is acting outside the norm of what I consider acceptable behavior, I act a different way. If I know a particular intersection is more prone to vehicle crashes, I am more cautious as I pass through the intersection.
For me, it’s an environment issue. I’d be as uncomfortable around an elderly Caucasian male as I would be around a young African-American female if each were acting outside the norm of what I consider acceptable behavior.
For George Zimmerman, it may have been race or it may have been a myriad of other factors.
@Carlton. I agree totally. That way we won’t read anymore headlines like this one:
Kendrec McDade, 19, was shot by Pasadena police after a man made a false claim that he had a handgun.
This just happened >>> click here.
@Todd Liegergen. I think you hit the nail on the head here when you mentioned that it all depends on a “myriad of other factors.” Who knows what was going through this man’s head at the time. He might have been trying to prove something, he might has just been scared out of his mind, he might have been listening to the many voices in his head that were all shouting at the same time. Who knows?
What I do like about your comment Todd is that fact that you reserved passing judgment on this person. Awesome! We can all take a lesson in that bit of self discipline 🙂