Trayvon Martin Verdict
by Donald Frye on 07/24/13
America has gone through many challenges and changes to move forward as a powerful nation, where life and the ability to maintain a decent life has been valued. Unfortunately for Black America, those liberties continue to be tested as to validity, and the struggle to belong is ongoing. After the first term election of Barack Obama to the Presidency of the United States, many across the country beckoned the question if we as a nation had gone beyond racism. Well, that question and many more were answered very early on in the President's first term, as racism in the country resurfaced to levels not seen in decades. Defiant members in the Republican Party and even some in the Democrat Party began to put up roadblocks to any initiative presented by the President. The realization of a black president was more than some could take, as they ratcheted up coalitions to defy any attempts by President Obama to move the country out of a near depression, and back to a state of progression.
Any attempt to build upon the energy and enthusiasm the country felt in late 2008 for moving forward was met with partisanship and some even questioning the President's legitimacy and citizenship. These were tactics to discredit the President and ensure enough side shows to distract from getting on to the business of recovery. Had racism taken a back burner, or had the election reignited old flames that were always simmering.
The attempts today to roll-back and reverse voting rights for minorities has taken center stage and threaten to derail the progress that we as a nation have fought so hard to gain. Women's reproductive rights have been attacked over the past several years and shows no sign of easing anytime soon. As well, gun laws are introduced daily that threaten every law abiding citizen in the country by way of "Stand Your Ground."
The recent murder of Trayvon Martin by George Zimmerman should have been a wakeup call for the entire country. But, instead, the "Not Guilty" verdict for Zimmerman only highlighted the racial divide that exists in this country. It sends a message that the value placed upon young black men in this country is not equal to that of others. This law gives ordinary citizens the ability to shoot and kill another human being, and claim self defense, which is a license to do more harm than good. Regardless of education or status in this country, black men are still profiled and targeted as criminals, without the benefit of even the law protecting them. President Obama, in a surprising appearance in the press room, echoed what many other black men in this country have been saying for years. That the environment created for blacks in this country is unfair and unjust. In so many words, the President spoke of his own experiences with car doors being locked when he walked by, of white women in elevators clutching their purse and holding their breath until they exited. I too have experienced those things.
I know first hand, the embarrassment that most Americans feel, both black and white, hispanic and asian toward the mountainous setbacks that continue to present themselves in the wake of a divided Congress, a partisan Supreme Court and Republican Governors across the nation who continue pushing laws that are detrimental to the progress of this nation. These actions continue to put a divide between the people of this nation, and create undue stress upon those who want nothing more than be given a chance to work and succeed in this land of plenty.
So, shame upon those who continue to perpetuate racism and division. And, shame upon the laws in Florida, that allowed for Trayvon Martin to die at the hands of a racist wannabe cop, protected by a system of injustice in that state. The good in America must not allow the bad to thwart the efforts of remaining the greatest nation on earth. Let's work together to right these wrongs!
