As you may know, Obama alluded to Trayvon Martin as his hypothetical son. “If I had a son, he’d look like Trayvon. When I think about this boy, I think about my own kids.”
The 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was fatally gunned down by the neighborhood watch George Zimmerman as he walked from a convenience store back into a gated community. The trial culminated in an acquittal for Zimmerman.
I was shocked and upset because an unarmed teenager with all the potential in the world, the potential to become the president of the United States, was killed because of Zimmerman’s extremely poor judgment and decision-making. When people like Zimmerman lack the brains to behave appropriately in society, they should deal with the consequences of their actions and be locked away—for good.
To me, this is not about race. It is about a child dying unjustly. If Trayvon had been white or any other race, this case would not have received the media attention it had. If Zimmerman had been black, the trial would not have turned into a circus. This is not about race, people!
If you are mad, get mad at the lack of gun control. This isn’t the Newtown tragedy where a social outcast had access to weapons, where we’re shaking our heads about the psychopaths who get access to guns. This is about a neighborhood watch buying a handgun for self-defense. See how guns are evil? Even in the hands of the seemingly stable, can you see the destruction? The loss of life, the loss of a child?
My high school classmate was killed in a drive-by shooting.
A few days ago, a Black man walked into the gift center where my engagement ring and wedding band are from and shot three Asians.
Race is not the issue. Guns are.
I had a different take-away from this trial than others which is why I dismissed writing about it—as I didn’t want to offend.
I want to thank Andrea with BeQuoted for encouraging me to write this post. I would like you to read her post on this matter as well as this post by Yvonne Chase.
There are a multitude of bloggers who write about what they have for breakfast, where they vacation, all these details of their lives, but rarely do I see bloggers open up about their stance on issues, their politics. What is the point of blogging if your readers do not know the real you—especially if you write a personal blog? I want to thank both Andrea and Yvonne for always being so courageously opinionated. I am truly inspired by you and your blogs.
Thanks for the mention Catherine. What a great title for this blog post. It immediately got my attention. While guns need to be controlled, we need to have an honest conversation about race in America. Everything about this case was about race. Trayvon Martin is dead because in the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, he was judged by the color of his skin not the content of his character. George Zimmerman knew nothing about Trayvons character. All he saw was black skin and that was enough.
I hadn’t mentioned it before but I wanted to revisit this post to say that I agree that in ADDITION to what I believe were other factors this was a crime perpetuated by race. We cannot claim to know someones true intent but I absolutely believe that if Trayvon had not been a beautifully brown young man he likely would not have seemed so “out of place” to this neighborhood “watch” vigilante.
Yvonne, I think there are so many different issues here. I agree we need to have an honest conversation about race, but no one wants to talk about it because as soon as anyone gives a view point that is opposite of the majority, they open themselves up to being attacked just for being honest. So it boils down to, how do we have these honest conversations where everyone can feel safe and supported?
Catherine, I am really touched by your mention. More than that I am very happy that you wrote this post and made mention of the atrosocities that happen daily. The title of this post speaks volumes!!! So happy to see that you went ahead and shared your thoughts on the matter. On another note, LMBO at the breakfast post! Touche my friend. Touche! I will be sure to read Yvonne’s post.
Thank you Andrea. I really enjoyed reading your post, I thought you must such a valid important point. I very much wanted to tell my readers about it.
You left me looking at this from a different perspective then I have been and to be quite honest I must thank you for that. Don’t get me wrong, I am not by any means someone who is for the use of handguns, but still hadn’t quite thought of it the way you did, but nonetheless, I see your point and it is completely valid. Thank you for being so very honest and forthcoming on this. Very refreshing and seriously appreciated.
Thank you Janine! I really appreciate your support. It is a hard topic to write about and very controversial so it did take a lot of courage .
I agree that people are making this about race but it is an issue of violence. The media is what is making this about race. It is too bad that the real issues are taken away to make “news.”
I’m so glad for your comment Kate. It is such a heated topic and it was really tough to write about. Thank you for making me feel supported!
Wow Catherine. This post is really powerful. ”
“There are a multitude of bloggers who write about what they have for breakfast, where they vacation, all these details of their lives, but rarely do I see bloggers open up about their stance on issues, their politics. What is the point of blogging if your readers do not know the real you—especially if you write a personal blog?”
I am opposed to open carry. I have maybe once or possibly twice heard of someone who legitimately used a gun for self defense. In every other instance that resulted in death it was due to murder or an accidental shooting. Just last year a co-worker’s father accidently shot himself while cleaning his gun. He died a few days later.
Thanks for this post.
You are so kind to say so. It took a lot of guts for me to write that post because I knew I would get flak for opining that it’s not about race. I guess that’s why people don’t like to blog about real issues, the criticism is difficult to swallow.
Kudos to you, Catherine, for putting your opinions out there. It’s your blog and you can say what you want, but I know it’s scary to take a stance on such a heated and controversial issue. I have mixed feelings about the verdict, and it’s been interesting to read the different perspectives. I appreciate yours, and thank you for giving me something else to think about.
Hi Dana, I’ve actually read only 2 blogging perspectives on the trial which are the ones that I mentioned in my post. If there are others, let me know, I would love to read.
Very powerful post. I agree that the real underlying tragedy is the senseless death of an innocent person. It would have been just as tragic if Trayvon was Asian or Hispanic or Caucasian, although many would argue that Zimmerman would have reacted differently in that circumstance. We will never know. And I am mad at the lack of gun control. How often do we hear about a child dying because they “played” with a gun found in their home or a friend’s home?
The title of this post makes me very uneasy. It makes your point in a powerful way but it reminds me that their are whack-job crazies who wish the title was true.
Thank you, you’re one of the few who agrees with me. I take a lot of comfort in that. It’s been a very difficult topic to blog about.
I thought of your post immediately after hearing President Obama speak to the press yesterday making the exact point that you did: he could have been Trayvon Martin 35 years ago.
I really appreciated hearing Obama’s thoughts. I’m glad he helped me understand the African American view point.
I *loved* Andrea’s post. I’ll have to read Yvonne’s post as well.
I applaud you for taking a stand here and being open about what you believe.
I think our stance as a country on guns is absolutely insane. Guns *are* the problem.
I do, however, think this shooting (as well as the verdict) has everything to do with race. I think Zimmerman saw a black teen and assumed he was up to no good. I don’t think the same things would have happened if Zimmerman had seen a white child walking home. I honestly don’t. He was upset because “they” always get away with doing no good. I also don’t think the verdict would have been the same had a black man gunned down an innocent white boy walking home. I think race plays a significant role here. To me, it’s not even a question.
Nevertheless, countless thousands of people would not be dead if we cared more as a society about gun violence. It’s disgusting. I don’t hold out much hope that it will *ever* change since a person can gun down 20 elementary school children and we can’t even the most meager law requiring background checks for all who seek to purchase a gun passed. It boggles my mind. –Lisa
Hi Lisa, I think we need to be more open and honest when it comes to talking about racism, but no one is willing to talk about it because it’s such an emotional topic. Everyone would rather just shut down than be genuine.
It was never about race to me either, but about a child who was only 4 years younger than me. The loss of his life. The world will never know the person Trayvon was meant to become because of Zimmerman’s decision. So I agree with you. Thank you for being open about a touchy subject not many would post about. I’m off to read the other suggested posts.
Thank you so much Brittany. Writing about this hasn’t been easy, but I wanted to be truthful about what I think. If we can’t be truthful about what we think, then what is the point. Thank you again, I appreciate you commenting.
great post babe and very honest and open. I totally understand what you are saying, I agree that something needs to be done guns. Sometimes I feel we should all be armed and other times I don’t want anyone to have guns…as a mom of a son I am horrified that a young life is over for no reason at all. I can understand what you are saying about it having nothing to do with race, but I think if a white teen was walking down the street I don’t think Zimmerman would have reacted the same way.
This is what I love about blogging…we can all express our opinions respectfully and without judgement…I posted about my faith and ridiculous rules imposed by my religion….I was surprised by all the support instead of the attacks I thought I might get…
Karen, I wanted to be honest about what my beliefs are. If we can’t be honest, then what is the point. Thank you again, I appreciate you commenting.
Thanks for posting your opinion.
I absolutely think that race played a major role in this case. As some have already said, had Trayvon Martin been a white teenager, he wouldn’t have been followed. But you have to understand and this is in Obama’s words yesterday: ‘‘There are very few African-American men in this country who haven’t had the experience of being followed when they were shopping in a department store,’’ he said. ‘‘That includes me.’’
African American people are always being followed for no reason (like my husband was blatantly followed in a JC Penny…that’s what the problem here was…Racial Profiling. Zimmerman saw a black teen and assumed he was up to no good.
My problem is this: Why not identify yourself and ask TM where he was headed and if he was visiting? Matter of fact, why not stay in your car? Want to know why he didn’t? Because he knew he was armed…and no matter what TM would do to him, he knew he could gun him down …and he did!
Keep it Touched,
Khloe
http://www.kgstyleinc.com
Thank you so much Khloe. I really do appreciate the background because I cannot begin to know since I am not African-American, but the stories help me so thank you for sharing. I, too, am very upset with Zimmerman. Why he didn’t do what the police said and just left it alone, we will never know. Even though he was acquitted, he will never be set free. This will haunt him forever and people who not forgive him.
Fantastic points Catherine! I happen to see the flip side – This was ENTIRELY about race. Until we live in a world where a George Zimmerman type walks up to a Trayvon Martin type and asks “Hey son, are you lost? Do you need some help home?” situations like these are going to continue to happen. Instead, Zimmerman looked at Trayvon’s complexion and attire and immediately thought “threat”. As we all know, Zimmerman’s obvious prejudices and innate paranoia led to an innocent black child getting killed. Race was the defining role.. Just my two cents.
New friend visiting from SITS 🙂
Thank you, Kesha. I definitely appreciate that. I am not African-American so I need to hear these stories so that I can start to understand. Thank you for commenting and telling me like it is.
I also want to mention many bloggers may not take a stand on controversial topics because we are advised not too. Advertisers won’t like it. I remember the time I made a comment on a site about spending federal money on sex-trafficking. The article was about Demi Moore’s plea to spend money on sex-trafficking. The site said the # of Americans being trafficked were distorted. My comment was “so what if the numbers were wrong I think it is great that Demi is bringing awareness to this issue. ” You wouldn’t believe the comments my comment received. I was even called a pig. I tried to respond, but didn’t know enough about the facts to argue my case. That incident made me realize I really need to know what I am talking about if I want to take on a controversial issue. Since then I a have shied away.
Wow, I did not know that! That is awful. Again, this is why people don’t like to talk about what’s in their head. It’s a travesty to make people feel bad for speaking their truth. Although I am not surprised, I would hope that advertisers choose to advertise with blogs that are authentic and true to what the bloggers want to write about.
I’m glad that you wrote this post. It’s great, as well as encouraging, to read the opinions of a variety of people, in regards to this tragedy.
I, too, wrote a very personal piece in regards, mainly, to the verdict. Everyone seems to be touched in some way, whether it’s by overall tragedy or verdict. Again, I appreciate your post.
Mariann, thank you for commenting. I was so glad to read your post on your site. I really appreciate the perspective you gave me.