Zimmerman Found Not Guilty

[sheclown]

...and Eddie Levert

http://www.youtube.com/v/7chvixFu-6I?version=3&hl=en_US

[williamjackson]

I Needed to Hear from My Black President

There is a great deal of discussion since the Trayvon Martin
trial about justice, the fear for Black life and if the nation
as a whole understands what message this sends.
George Zimmerman has been cleared of any wrong doing by
a jury of HIS peers, but what about Trayvon Martin's peers?
Trayvon Martin's peers are Jordan Davis, Darius Simmons
and other youth killed by overzealous people with guns.
What message does this send to Black youth? What can Black
boys and girls expect when they walk in their neighborhoods,
when they go to the store? Will they be met with violence,
stalked and challenged when they go out?

The Center for Disease Controls has documented that
among teenagers, non-Hispanic Black males have the highest
death rate (94.1 deaths per 100,000 population).
Homicide is the leading cause of death for non-Hispanic
Black male teenagers. For all other groups, accidents are
the leading cause. Center for Disease Control, deaths of
youth, teens and young adults.
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db37.htm

Nationally there is a crisis, it has taken the
lives of three young Black men, demanding not just the
Black community to understand, but the community of our
nation that there is a crisis of death and a devaluing of young
Black lives. I struggle as a Black teacher what to tell my
students that ask me my opinion. Looking in their eyes seeing
fear, uncertainty, seeking leadership and guidance from a
leader in the community. Teachers were once seen as leaders
in their communities along with religious leadership.
Teachers were guiding lights of educational empowerment
and community stability. Viewing the documentary,
"We Remember Raines" (Emanuel Washington) this was a
fact in Black communities nationally. I wanted to tell my
students to have hope, to pray and do everything they need
to do to obtain as much education as possible to one day
fight the injustices that they may face in life.

My only recourse is to look them in the eyes and advise them
to talk to their parents, engage them in a serious discussion about
what is happening in their communities and their lives. I personally
waited to hear from the President, not just the President of the
United States, but the same President that stated "if he had a
son, he could be Trayvon Martin." The power of the President
goes beyond just the military power of this country it must extend
to the civic responsibility to first recognize all people of this
country as equal.
I felt and many others did as well that President Obama was
playing it safe, overlooking this issue that by rights he should be
involved in. He went to Sandy Hook and other places, why should
he not go to Sanford, Florida and come to Jacksonville, Florida?
It is good to hear recently that he is coming. I hope he is coming
not just as the President, but as a Black man concerned with
Black children.
Unfortunately too many whites would not understand the need
for him to speak, hopefully after hearing his speech they will.
http://rolandmartinreports.com/blog/2013/07/watch-president-barack-obama-trayvon-martin-could-have-been-me-35-years-ago-video/

At this time of great need President #BarackObama should know
that I and the Black students I teach, the Black students I mentor,
the Black children who are my personal children need to
hear from him. His recent statements should bring comfort and
also should be consistent in the manner of galvanizing Black
youth of this country.
A record number of Blacks voted in both elections so President
Obama can make changes that will benefit this country, now he
needs to focus on the Black community.

Black mothers are scared, Black fathers are scared, Black
grandmothers and grandfathers are scared. Many people that
are white ask what is the difference in what you are going
through and us? The difference is that many Blacks do not have
the legal support system that whites have. The comfort level,
privilege and power based on skin color. This can be seen by
the recent events in the Trayvon Martin case. The ramifications
are a ripple effect across the country that Black young lives are
not as valuable as white lives.
This is NOT a racist statement, but can be seen by the end results
of trials and historical events of this country. Even the events
of Marissa Alexander sentenced to 30 years for standing her
ground. Yes the debate continues:
I personally hoped and prayed to hear from My Black President,
not the President of the United States of America, I needed to
hear from my President that understands what it feels like to be
#profiled, to be stopped and questioned, to be followed in a
store, to be scrutinized and judged by the color of his skin,
not the content of his character. I'm happy to hear that
our Black President did not forget what he is.

As a father of a Black male in college, a rising senior and
father of a Black female a rising high school senior I fear for
both my children. As a #Blackteacher that is not fearful to share
my thoughts, opinions and observations through writing and
community participation, I encourage parents to get out and
participate in rallies, demonstrations and learn, be educated
and empowered.

Malcolm X said these words years ago, before Trayvon Martin,
Jordan Davis and Darius Simmons where fetus in their mothers
wombs.
"If you don't stand for something you will fall for anything."
Elements in the media would have you believe that Trayvon Martin
deserved to be killed, he asked for his fate and George Zimmerman
did his community and the nation a favor. Elements of the media
will soon try to show that Jordan Davis a victim deserved to be
shot and killed and those that where with him where thugs,
criminals, failures in school, society and even in their
communities.

Parents of all colors cannot let this travesty of injustice
continue. You must stand for something, not cower and hide
in fear in your homes. If you have a Black male child, if you
have a black female child, if you have a child of color you need
to be involved. Just as President Obama stated he could have
been Trayvon Martin, he realizes that he could have
been Jordan Davis and Darius Simmons.

The topic educate or die was shared by educator
Hafeeza Majeed from Arkansas.
"COURAGEOUS CONVERSATIONS ABOUT EDUCATION"
ASK A TEACHER to discuss the value and empowerment of
education. What our children need to survive in America. If
parents' do not participate and are not heard they will be ignored
and their children will be targets not just for violence,
substandard education, candidates not for scholarship, but for
prison cells. Blacks are edging close to the danger of Holocaust
similar to World War II, if you do not believe look at the prisons
and the laws. Too many Black youth and men have felonies, they
cannot vote, work, purchase homes nor continue their education.
The economic status for the past several years has forced Blacks
to do whatever is necessary to feed their families, care for their
children and provide basic survival needs. Blacks are loosing
political and voting rights.

Thank you to my President for finally having the courage, the
responsibility and accountability to speak to the nation and
Black community. Black boys and Black girls need to hear and
see #PresidentObama. They need to know the person they are
taught to look up to providing leadership, compassion
and empathy.
Stated by Angie Nixon of Florida New Majority, this is
a "Movement Not a Moment"
This is a Movement Not A Moment http://youtu.be/CPxhNSmkUGs

A Child Asks Why Trayvon Had To Die
http://youtu.be/3NbD84KiN3w

TOPIC: EDUCATE OR DIE!
Commentary by: Hafeeza Majeed
I have only these remarks to share relative to the marches,
protests, and boycotts, as a result of the George Zimmerman verdict:
"My dear brothers and sisters, according to the proceedings of the
trial, even George Zimmerman "educated" himself by studying the
requisite laws necessary to serve in the position of "neighborhood
watch captain." "March" if you want, "Protest" if you want, "Boycott"
if you want. But WE, as African American adults, must accept that
we haven't done right by our children because we refuse to properly
educate them, formally or informally, so that they will know how to,
AND DO, "think critically" in every situation.
Honestly, people, WE have killed Trayvon, AND ALL of the others,
and will continue bearing responsibility for killing our own children,
UNTIL, we make sure that our children are properly educated, formally
and informally.
We must hold ourselves accountable, FIRST, while we forever press
forward to seek justice in America's courts and elsewhere.
If we will march and protest in the streets, PLEASE, PLEASE,
PLEASE, march to the schoolhouse (and home), and protest for
equity and excellence in education for our children, formally and
informally, everyday! Hafeeza Majeed

"COURAGEOUS CONVERSATIONS ABOUT EDUCATION"
'Ask A Teacher'
Sunday, July 21, 2013, 7pm, CST; 8pm, EST/MT; 5pm, PT
WEB: http://InstantTeleseminar.com/?eventid=43727385
PHONE: (501) 707-0312 OR (206) 402-0100; Pin: 119398#

[coredumped]

I don't know what the president has to do with 1 sole murder. Yes, this issue has brought up some important topics, but isn't the issue here really that someone has died? If it was black on black, or white on white, would it have received as much attention? Why does this have to be about race?

According to the CDC, there are 16,259 homicide injury deaths per year in America. Why was this one so important? I put the responsibility of the (small) number or riots and hate crimes that have come about since the trial solely on CNN, Fox, etc. They covered this trial non-stop even though it was of little significance. It was 1 homicide out of 16,259! Shame on the media, and shame on Obama for acknowledging it.

I guess anything to get the minds off of the (much more important) unconstitutional NSA scandal.

Sidenote: I know this opinion won't be popular, but if the mass media would stop making everything about race maybe we could move forward as a country in that regard.

[NotNow]

I don't know what the president has to do with 1 sole murder. Yes, this issue has brought up some important topics, but isn't the issue here really that someone has died? If it was black on black, or white on white, would it have received as much attention? Why does this have to be about race?

According to the CDC, there are 16,259 homicide injury deaths per year in America. Why was this one so important? I put the responsibility of the (small) number or riots and hate crimes that have come about since the trial solely on CNN, Fox, etc. They covered this trial non-stop even though it was of little significance. It was 1 homicide out of 16,259! Shame on the media, and shame on Obama for acknowledging it.

I guess anything to get the minds off of the (much more important) unconstitutional NSA scandal.

Sidenote: I know this opinion won't be popular, but if the mass media would stop making everything about race maybe we could move forward as a country in that regard.

yawn.  so you just don't see any connection between the reaction and the laws that made the murder legal?

you really think this is about a solitary killing, which of course, deserves no attention because, you know.....freedom?

The fact is that the law that "made the murder legal" is the right of self defense.  The jury (who heard all of the evidence) decided that Zimmerman rightfully feared for his life while on his back and mounted by Martin.  They decided that the events prior to that did not incriminate Zimmerman. 

I agree with Coredumped that the major reason for the uproar is meia attention and misinformation.  While discussion of race and priviledge is certainly needed, this case is a poor reason for it.

Because you know...truth.

[sheclown]

Protesters marching to the courthouse to demand justice.

[NotNow]

I don't know what the president has to do with 1 sole murder. Yes, this issue has brought up some important topics, but isn't the issue here really that someone has died? If it was black on black, or white on white, would it have received as much attention? Why does this have to be about race?

According to the CDC, there are 16,259 homicide injury deaths per year in America. Why was this one so important? I put the responsibility of the (small) number or riots and hate crimes that have come about since the trial solely on CNN, Fox, etc. They covered this trial non-stop even though it was of little significance. It was 1 homicide out of 16,259! Shame on the media, and shame on Obama for acknowledging it.

I guess anything to get the minds off of the (much more important) unconstitutional NSA scandal.

Sidenote: I know this opinion won't be popular, but if the mass media would stop making everything about race maybe we could move forward as a country in that regard.

yawn.  so you just don't see any connection between the reaction and the laws that made the murder legal?

you really think this is about a solitary killing, which of course, deserves no attention because, you know.....freedom?

The fact is that the law that "made the murder legal" is the right of self defense.  The jury (who heard all of the evidence) decided that Zimmerman rightfully feared for his life while on his back and mounted by Martin.  They decided that the events prior to that did not incriminate Zimmerman. 

I agree with Coredumped that the major reason for the uproar is meia attention and misinformation.  While discussion of race and priviledge is certainly needed, this case is a poor reason for it.

Because you know...truth.

Just a big alternate universe you guys live in, I think.  It sounds like an interesting place, im sure. 

But your interesting world view aside, here's an idea.

Make up a reason people are angry and ignore common sense,  the evidence and even what those people themselves are saying is their motivations and go with that.

You seem to be basing your account on what happened with the jury based on the Juror who spoke on anderson cooper's show.  Which is interesting, because four of the other jurors signed a public statement (very unusual, btw) refuting her statements, so you are already speaking against the signed statement of the majority of the jurors when you characterize the trial deliberations this way.

Wanna bet you win that big argument you are having with yourself?  I think this might explain the very long record you guys have of being wrong on most of the issues and getting blindsided by the outcomes.

I assume that what you are hearing sounds like "I believe in communism and the mortal end of white people' when I write this, so I don't know why bother.

Politically I suppose it works out for my own interests for you to continue to be in the dark about whats happening in the real world, but its still sad.

I have not seen any interview of any juror.  None of that matters.  The fact is that the jury aquitted.  The only defense put forth was self defense.  The facts are obvious.  Any fantasies about the Zimmerman case are yours.  People are angry because they either disagree with the verdict or they disagree with what they see as an unfair system or both.  That's OK.  I thought this was a manslaughter case myself.  But we should all adhere to the same set of facts.  Fanning the flames with inaccurate information is irresponsible and will not lead to understanding.

Your later statements make no sense.  It appears that you are attempting to call me a racist or bigot without having to say so in english.  Such nonsense is also not helpful. 

[NotNow]

And I'm just kicking aside the bull$hit.   

[NotNow]

As a poster on many of your threads, I see it everywhere. 

[NotNow]

And so it goes.. Have a good day, StephenDare! 

[icarus]

I fully support passionate debate, well informed articulated arguments (none of which I have seen here) and the right of everyone to have an opinion but ....

is there a way to block this particular news thread from popping up in the live news feed? Or, can this discussion be taken to a different and perhaps more appropriate venue?

Please and thank you.

[Cheshire Cat]

There are a lot of things driving the violence and murder in Jacksonville.  One thing for certain, at least in my view is that this city leadership needs to get their act together and stop the politics that places our "First Responders", police and fire directly in the bulls eye of cuts which in turns leads to them being made the cause of our financial woes.  They are what currently stands between us and continued harm.  I thank them all for their service and their willingness to put their lives before us to keep us safe. 

deathstar, I can tell you that every effort is being made by the JSO to deal with and stem the violence.  I think you should share your deep concern's with the Mayor and the members of council as should everyone who is afraid, concerned or wishes to see things improve.  You can contact them via the city website at COJ.com.  You can also contact organizations like MADDADS and others who are on the front lines fighting crime and give them your support, interaction and time.

[coredumped]

yawn.  so you just don't see any connection between the reaction and the laws that made the murder legal?

you really think this is about a solitary killing, which of course, deserves no attention because, you know.....freedom?

And you (and the nitwits protesting in oakland, shocker) think you know more than a jury who sat on the trial? Comon.

It's just an excuse to riot, no one acted like this then when OJ was acquitted (that was a black on white crime). The jury has found zimmerman innocent of the charge just like OJ was found innocent, both are free of those crimes.

The media should pay more attention to the appalling stat that Mr Jackson above posted, the high number of blacks that are killed. That's a real news story - not 1 murder out of a thousand, which yes, is tragic, all murders are.

I guess it doesn't add up to ratings though.

[Cheshire Cat]

Have you ever noticed that some of the forum threads kind of end up with this conversation?  lol  I hope everyone accepts this share in the spirit of fun with which I mean it. 

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=1394514250766136&set=vb.136336876521150&type=2&theater

[NotNow]

Have you ever noticed that some of the forum threads kind of end up with this conversation?  lol  I hope everyone accepts this share in the spirit of fun with which I mean it. 

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=1394514250766136&set=vb.136336876521150&type=2&theater

Ha!  That does sound like us!

[JayBird]

^To demand justice ... What exactly do they propose to get justice?