Tragedy, racism and a circus: the death of Trayvon Martin

Hi, Satar:  Thank you for stopping by, and for your comment.  It's amazing how the media has seen to cover this story- though not at all surprising.  George Zimmerman's dad mentions in his letter that:

"I met two black children George invited to a social event. I asked where they met George. They responded that he was their mentor. They said George visited them routinely, took them places, helped them, and taught them things and that they really loved George."

Hmmm.... I've heard a lot about Zimmerman being a racist, but not one iota about his being (in their words) a mentor to black kids in the neighborhood.

Interesting... What was his racist self doing- helping these kids with thing so that they could get a little older before he committed some sort of racist act against them?  Ridiculous...

"Justice" is a 2-way street, folks...

Hi, Jon:  Thank you for stopping by, and for your comment.  Absolutely true on all counts.  I can assure you that a great deal of folks have viewed this post, yet very few have replied.  There's a reason for that, of course- and I won't criticize anyone fo choosing anonymity if that's what they wish.  It's not the way for me, though.

Another sad thing about this case is just as you imply- one gets labeled this or that for saying anything that's out of step with the mob mentality running rampant in cases like this.

For the record... I have have many friends in law enforcement- in both the Orange and Seminole County Sheriff's Departments here, in the Orlando Police Department and in the Mountain Brook Police Department back home.  After more than 20 years, one of my friends rose through the ranks of the Alabama State Troopers to ultimately sit as the highest-ranking uniformed officer in Alabama- and I am friends with the sitting police chiefs of Birmingham, Bessemer and Hoover, Alabama.

While I am critical of law enforcement in my "Pedestrian Tales From the Middle of the Road" series, I have never and will never launch an attack upon law enforcement that's little more than a smear campaign along the road to an anticipated civil suit down the road.

If law enforcement is in the wrong here- and at this point it's nothing but an "if"- they should be held accountable.  Until then, we should leave them the heck alone and let them go about protecting us, serving us and in some cases dying for us.

May God bless Chief Bill Lee, and the entire Sanford Police Department.

Hi, Jon:  Thank you for dropping in again, and for your comment.  A telling silence it is, indeed.  I think of the NFL, and of the precious few coaches "of color" that have walked it's sidelines.  Pathetic.  I remember when one observer commented that we'd know we'd arrived at a good point in race relations in America when coaches of any race could expect to be hired according to merit, when those of darker-hued skin could expect fairness in process.  He was corrected, though, by another who said he was only 1/2 right- and that we'd only know we'd arrived at any sort of good point when coaches of any race could expect to be fired for their lack of ability.  The case can surely be made that overlooking one's shortcomings and/or withholding punishment, reprimand or penalty due to their color is just as damaging and de-humanizing as withholding profit, promotion or privilege.  If we're to believe in the Word's instruction that sparing the rod spoils a child, actions of continuing to reward or promote folks of color when it isn't warranted is only a small step away from calling a black man "boy" rather than "Mr. Woods" or "Dr. King".

Hi, Karl:  Thank you for stopping by, and for your comment.  There's no disagreement betwween us with regard to your premise that one who's an aggressor can't claim self-defense.  I do take exception with anyone's premise that Zimmerman was the aggressor, though- and will do so unless and until evidence proves that to be the case.

Why is that?  A little side note... I have a friend (sad, but I must say that he's a "white friend" for illustration purposes) who shot his neighbor.  He was arrested, and unless something changes he'll stand trial for both attempted murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon (firearm).  With nothing more than a speeding ticket and a window tint violation in his past, my white friend is 32 and looking at life in prison should his "Stand your ground" defense fail him.

He immediately lost his job once the charge was made, and both he and his parents have lost their homes in paying legal bills.  He continues to await an end to his case that started on a night in December of 2009.

Could Zimmerman be a racist?  Yes.  Could he be in the wrong here?  Absolutely- and if he is, count me aboard the Zimmerman to Jail train.

There are times when it's incredibly difficult to separate a message from its messenger(s), and this is one of those times.  As my white buddy awaits trial, many here are awaiting the arrival a hysteria-stirring race pimp in Al Sharpton- and the "virulently racist" New Black Panther Party. 

It's also very telling that Sharpton has left his own family and any preparations in the works for laying his own mother to rest to come down here and trample on Trayvon Martin's grave.

Hi, Satar:  Thank you for stopping back by.  If it were to bring a quicker resolution to this case or if it were to uncover any wrongs by the Sanford Police in their efforts to investigate it, I'm all in favor of it.

And guess what?  I've spoken with a few folks that wear the uniform of the Sanford Police Department, and they welcome any scrutiny of their work as well.

As I said above and will continue to say, may God bless the Sanford Police Department, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the State of Florida’s attorneys as they do their best in bringing justice to all concerned.