Trayvon Martin Shooting Does Not Incite Hispanic-Black Tension, Focus Remains On Police

A memorial for Trayvon Martin.

When a white Hispanic neighborhood-watch volunteer admitted to police that he had shot and killed an unarmed black teenager -- and police accepted his assertion that he did so in self-defense -- it was "taking off the scab of the wound" in Sanford, Fla.

“It’s not the officers who are out and about. It’s the leadership,” Lowman Oliver, pastor of the Sanford St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, told The Huffington Post. “When you are the recipient of a different kind of treatment, it’s taking off the scab of the wound. Going all the way back ... you’re even going into the history of when blacks were treated as property.”

The tension that the killing of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin has exposed, residents and community leaders say, is not between blacks and Latinos, or blacks and whites. It’s a fresh gash in the festering rancor between the community’s blacks and its police.

Sanford abuts Orlando, almost center in Florida’s midsection. The city’s website paints an idyllic portrait of gazebos, galleries and green.

“Sanford, one of Central Florida’s oldest incorporated cities, is home to brick lined streets, towering oaks, elegant store-fronts and large, nineteenth-century Victorian homes. The downtown, which once featured feed stores and dry good sellers, now showcases antique shops, restaurants and art galleries ...”

Last month, though, what residents describe as a fragile peace between the city's police and the black community was shattered when, according to authorities, George Zimmerman shot and killed Martin.

So now, the city has added a link amid the idyllic images on its website -- to information about the Martin investigation. It includes an open letter from the city manager, and links to the recordings of the 911 calls that have been their own source of friction and, after their release, a source of further contention over the handling of the case.

This much is known: Zimmerman, 28, who neighbors said was “fixated on crime and focused on young, black males,” was out patrolling his gated community on the lookout for crime. He called 911 to report a “real suspicious” person “just walking around.” Zimmerman followed the person -- Martin -- despite the dispatcher’s admonition not to.

Zimmerman had a 9mm handgun. Martin had a bag of Skittles, a can of iced tea and a cellphone.

A few minutes later, Martin was dead.

A state grand jury is being convened. The U.S. Justice Department has also stepped in to conduct its own investigation.

Police have inadvertently helped fuel the case’s racial overtones by initially describing Zimmerman simply as white. His father, however, stepped in to say that his son is, in fact, Hispanic, and not in any way a racist.

“George is a Spanish speaking minority with many black family members and friends,” Robert Zimmerman wrote in a one-page statement delivered to the Orlando Sentinel. “He would be the last to discriminate for any reason whatsoever.”

But the statement did little to quell the unrest in Sanford, where blacks account for 30 percent of the residents, Hispanics 20 percent and non-Hispanic whites 57 percent.

Members of the black community there say they see the treatment of Zimmerman as the latest in a historic string of incidents where they believe blacks have not received the same measure of justice. They recall the case of Travares McGill, shot by white security guards in 2005 -- one the son of a longtime Sanford police officer, the other a department volunteer. The guards were acquitted.

And, more recently, the 2010 beating of a black homeless man by a white teen. The beating was caught on videotape. Police waited seven weeks to arrest a suspect -- the son of a Sanford Police lieutenant.

“It’s not the first time the judgment of the police department has been put in question,” the Rev. L. Ronald Durham of Greater Friendship Baptist Church in Daytona Beach, Fla., who also has Sanford residents in his congregation, told The Huffington Post, "which indicates to me that there is, at least in the recent past there has been, a history of things not being addressed when it came to the perpetrator being Caucasian and the victim being African-American.”

Many are protesting, demanding that Zimmerman be arrested and that Police Chief Bill Lee Jr. step down. On Wednesday, the city commission gave a vote of "no confidence" to Lee.

The case has drawn national attention. Durham is working with Rev. Al Sharpton to host a rally in Sanford on Thursday in support of Martin’s family.

But community members say that the ire over Martin's death has not been directed at Latinos.

“No way. No way,” Oliver, the pastor, told The Huffington Post. Racial tension is not a problem among Sanford’s minorities, he said. “Not between blacks and Hispanics. That doesn’t even exist, I believe, to a great multitude between blacks and whites in Sanford. No.”

On that, several blacks and Hispanics in Sanford agree.

“I see it as an isolated case,” Sanford real estate agent Jose Rodriguez told The Huffington Post. “I don’t have any knowledge that there is any kind of friction between the races. No. I don’t see it.”

Peter Vivaldi, the Florida representative of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition, is joining forces with Sanford’s pastors to demand justice for Trayvon Martin’s family.

“We’re seeing the faith-based community come together, civic leaders come together, so I’m trying to fit in with that to let them know our support,” Vivaldi told The Huffington Post.

But the tension with the police, Sanford residents say, is very real. And the killing of Trayvon Martin has become a rallying point for the black community to insist on change.

Said Oliver, “We will not be treated as less than human beings."

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Comments

[darkskiesrbest]

05:56 AM on 03/19/2013

Articles like this scare me. It was obviously written long ago and filled with so many falsehoods. Was the purpose to stir up racial animosity Or what?

Here are the blatant lies in the story:

"This much is known: Zimmerman, 28, who neighbors said was “fixated on crime and focused on young, black males,”
No, the DOJ found no such "Fixation" and it was young black males committing the crimes.

"Zimmerman followed the person -- Martin -- despite the dispatcher’s admonition not to."
There is no evidence of that, George replied "OK" and talked calmly to the dispatcher for another 1:40.

"and police accepted his assertion that he did so in self-defense ".
FL law prevents them from charging him when they have clear cut evidence to the contrary, multiple wounds, multiple witnesses all backed up his claims of self-defense. The investigation continued. He was arrested that night but not charged.

[Davewaybe]

07:43 PM on 03/18/2013

Blame the police if you will.....but so far not one iota of information has changed for that night, and, any police department would have to come to the same conclusion........ self defense.

[tcinaz]

08:44 PM on 03/18/2013

Guess you've been asleep, out of the country, or under a rock for the last year. Here's an update Rip: http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/07/george_zimmerman_changes_story_fox.php

[pciorlandosales]

05:55 PM on 03/18/2013

It is a scary thing when the media asserts itself in the manner in which it has in this case. One network even went out of it's way to alter a 911 call made by Zimmerman. It did so with the specific intent of making this case about race. When race is not involved the media will create something to incite the public. Where was the march or the outcry when this happened? The indictment handed down by the State of Florida (proves) the media pushed this case into being about race. The charging affidavit specifically states that Zimmerman profiled Martin. Inserting the intention that he did so because he was an African American male. When in reality ... everyone who ever called 911 in reference to a suspicious person who is African American must have do so because they where profiling African Americans. That is according to the State of Florida's State Attorney's office. Further proving that, that indictment came about because of the race card (enhanced) and enabled by the the media.

[tcinaz]

08:59 PM on 03/18/2013

The indictment itself as handed down has nothing to do with race.

[pciorlandosales]

10:12 PM on 03/18/2013

I guess you failed to read the indictment. If it did not specifically state it was about race, it certainly can be interpreted as such. 

[pciorlandosales]

05:45 PM on 03/18/2013

A Hoody Rally? Really?? 85% of retail burglaries are black males wearing hoody's. This is a statistical fact! I challenge anyone to prove otherwise. Add to that the perception beyond daily news reports. Shows like The First 48 which depict (real life homicide investigations). Or COPS which portrays (real life police work). In which 85% or greater of the criminals to be black males in their teens. And is it any wonder the general population has stereotypes? Zimmerman no more (profiled) than anyone who calls 911 about a suspicious person. Yet the charging affidavit contains the word (profiled).

[tcinaz]

08:48 PM on 03/18/2013

"85% of retail burglaries are black males wearing [sic] hoody's." Cite your source please. I can find no confirmation of this statistic by the FBI or elsewhere.

[hope61]

10:02 PM on 03/18/2013

I asked the same of them and checked FBI/URC and searches also.

[kesterlaw]

03:58 PM on 03/18/2013

YEA, WHATEVER

[Catalina Limbaga]

08:01 PM on 04/09/2012

This is about the frustration of the black community boiling over. If not this case their would have been another. The fear of young men in hoodies walking around your home at night is a real legit concern. Him being black is not the issue but it was enough to tip the scales of frustration.The lack of restraint from the black community is sad, frightening, and confrontational. The progress made by Abraham Lincoln, Dr. Martin Luther King , and many others rings hollow in the in the wake of this mob mentality.

[XOXOXO XOXOXO]

01:26 AM on 03/19/2013

You must mean the Michael Dunn shooting

[solito77]

07:05 PM on 04/06/2012

Granted Zimmerman should stand trial based on the evidence so far, I believe he's guilty. ...However, there is no evidence that suggest Zimmerman is a racist! -Stop the witch hunt.

[hypocritesonallsides]

03:00 AM on 03/27/2012

I am 53 years old and I have never heard the term "white Hispanic" untill this case. Why now? Why this case? The race baiters want to make this into a white and black thing. If Mr. Zimmerman did something good he would only be called Hispanic.

[solito77]

06:39 PM on 04/06/2012

TRUE.

[solito77]

06:45 PM on 04/06/2012

This is true. Some Blacks are fishing for racial dialog that can't be found. I direct my question to my reasonable Hispanic brothers and sisters, ...If Zimmerman were Black, and the victim was Hispanic under the same circumstances, would there be a racial issue? -Yeah, I thought so.

[Baxter Porter VI]

03:31 PM on 03/18/2013

If the majority of the police force were black, and the department had in the past been accused of looking the other way when the black police officers assaulted or killed a Hispanic citizens, I would say: Yes. It would be an issue.

[BiggpussJr]

01:39 PM on 03/26/2012

Here is the funny thing. Zimmerman is white for all intents and purposes, but now all of a sudden he is a latino. Wow talk about double standards.

[oregonian68]

12:04 PM on 03/25/2012

So everyone is relieved that the tension and hate is aimed toward me and my family because we are white? Thanks. The media has managed to turn someone who would normally be categorized as a Latino into a "white" man for the purposes of stoking race tensions toward whites, the "enemy" of all minorities. If Zimmerman were a victim, he'd NEVER be called a "white Hispanic." he'd be called a Latino. Despite efforts to make all minorities hate me, I still have friends of all races, cultures and backgrounds who tend to be conservative. Put that in your liberal pipe and smoke it.

[Kelly Tanner]

03:47 PM on 03/26/2012

Well said. F&F

[beckytckr]

07:07 PM on 03/30/2012

F & F, also. AMEN!

[mitsecl]

12:12 AM on 03/25/2012

I am Hispanic....

I am Trayvon Martin...

JUSTICE BE SERVED NOW!!!

[Angel Of Light]

03:40 PM on 04/01/2012

Lol what a mindless barbarian leftist loon! I bet i could get you to chant anything as long as there were enough people around. You're scary!

[pciorlandosales]

05:21 PM on 03/18/2013

Well said! :)

[ShakeYourComplacency]

09:15 PM on 03/24/2012

I need clarification on the rules of racial politics.

It's been my understanding the past decade or so, that "people of color" included all shades of black and brown (AA's, mixed race, and hispanic). The only group determined to belong to a class of privilege, was exclusively white, which included only persons of european ancestry. All other non-blacks, including mexicans, central and south american hispanics, arabs, american indians, eastern indians, etc, qualified as victims of discrimination.

Now the rules seem to have changed, or is it just for this case? An extremely latin-looking male is first described as white, then half-white then white-hispanic. The shooter is a racist, from a class of privilege, that much we've been told. Unfortunately, Zimmerman doesn't easily fit that profile, so is that why he's being portrayed as white-hispanic and not simply hispanic?

Is this just a momentary switch because some view Zimmerman as not dark "enough" or because the blame must be put elsewhere? Or is it a sign of an evolving racial landscape?

Does anybody know?

[ChicagoBlackRainbowWomen]

01:07 AM on 03/25/2012

It does not matter if his is hispanic or a fair skinned minority what is relevant is his own self perception which of course is intertwined with the ideal of white skin privilege. IMHO

[oregonian68]

12:52 PM on 03/25/2012

White skin privilege? Why didn't my skin help me go to college or get a good job? Did my white skin privilege get me beat up by blacks and Hispanic people in the poor neighborhood where I grew up in? Explain to me how my skin has benefited me.

[hypocritesonallsides]

03:02 AM on 03/27/2012

Its like white is not part of your rainbow....

[Iain Banks]

08:11 AM on 03/25/2012

The vast majority of hispanics consider themselves white. Why change that narrative for Zimmerman?

[ShakeYourComplacency]

09:22 AM on 03/25/2012

Mexicans who are being stopped on the street in Arizona consider themselves white? Puerto Ricans in New York are white? Dominicans in Miami are from a white culture?

What is this vast majority? The vast majority on tv, maybe? In any case, I have your view on this. Your perception is that hispanics are white. That makes 2 responses to my post, neither from a Latino on Latino voices. And btw your answer was completely different than hers. So when I get 5 more answers, are there going to be 5 more creative responses?

[oregonian68]

12:49 PM on 03/25/2012

Hispanics are classified as Caucasian, as are Europeans, Arabs, East Indians and others. The problem I have is Zimmerman would be classified as white in the hate crime stats if a perpetrator, but if he's victimized he'll be classified as Hispanic.

[Goldie Treasure]

08:06 PM on 03/24/2012

This guy is a Hispanic and everyone is ignoring that fact, and just "blaming it on the white guy." This was a Hispanic man, who killed Trayvon, you can call him a white, black, green, yellow or orange Hispanic but he is still a Hispanic and to me Hispanics being racist towards blacks is nothing new. Not only white people are racist ok?

[oregonian68]

12:31 PM on 03/25/2012

Thank you. Everyone's racism must be addressed if the goal is to end bigotry. All white bigotry could stop tomorrow but bigotry and hate against whites (and Hispanic/black hate) would increase still because they are encouraged to hate you, me and our children because of our skin color. Try not to blame non whites for this. The news stations they watch do not pick up stories that conflict with the view of all white people as violent racists. It's the liberal media who is to blame. You and I probably know about the 13 year old white child old doused with gas and set alight in KC recently in a clear hate motivated attack, but MSNC and CNN would NEVER report that or ask about the race harassment to boy received in school (along with several other white kids) or the cops refusing to call it a hate crime even though they said "you get what you deserve, white boy." Why won't the media make ANY issue of it? Because they don't want whites to get angry or pull their kids out of these racist schools.. They prefer inviting minority wrath against us but hush up crimes against us so we'll not think about trying to help our own people or complaining of unequal treatment. Though it is tempting, we should not not succumb to racism ourselves.

[tcinaz]

09:38 PM on 03/18/2013

At the same time time the mainstream media dis not nationally report this either: http://westorlandonews.com/2012/05/10/white-collar-crime-in-black-neighborhoods/

[caramelosdos]

12:02 PM on 03/24/2012

I'm STILL WAITING TO HEAR how Zimmerman qualifies as a Hispanic??? If he was NOT
adopted, and is a Jew, going to temple on Saturdays, just because he can speak Spanish
does not make him Hispanic. His father will have to explain this assertion he
made. To date the father has refused all requests to explain the Hispanic angle he came up
with.

[WoodsyLadyM]

02:24 PM on 03/24/2012

If his mother is Hispanic and he's been influenced by the culture, then Zimmerman is Hispanic. He's also an American. A person's surname may give an indication as to their culture but it's not the be all and end all. In Puerto Rico alone we've had immigrants from all over Europe, including Corsica, France, Germany, and Ireland. So you'll find such surnames as Antonini, Gautier, Miller, and Riley. Do we really know that Zimmerman is Jewish just because of his name? BTW, there are Hispanic Jews. It's not an either/or situation, you can be both.

[greenlass]

05:55 PM on 03/24/2012

I don't get people like you. How long would it have taken you to learn through your own efforts that Zimmerman's mother is Latina? Your comment is so stinky with prejudice and stereotypes all the way through it.

And, btw, no one care if you're waiting. No one has to prove anything to you. Not anyone's job. If you're so obsessed with pseudo-genetics, you have some real problems around race and identity issues.

This is borne out by the fact that, despite the horror of the shooting and death of a young man, you go to the trouble to get online and find articles that give you even the barest opening to go off on your rant.

[hrpmap]

02:03 AM on 03/24/2012

This kind of thing is a daily event in LA, I liived there.