Blacks, Whites Have Stark Split On Role Of Race In Trayvon Martin Case, Poll Says

A new poll on the Trayvon Martin case found that blacks and whites have starkly different views about the role race has played in the story.

According to a USA Today/Gallup poll, nearly three-quarters of African Americans said they thought that George Zimmerman would have been arrested if Trayvon was white, while about a third of whites agreed. More than half of the white people polled said that race was no factor in the case.

Martin, 17, was shot and killed by a self-appointed neighborhood watch member as he returned to the home of his father's fiancé on Feb. 26 in Sanford, Fla. George Zimmerman, the man who admitted to killing him, called the police and told them that Martin looked suspicious prior to the shooting, and said that he shot Martin in self-defense after an altercation. Zimmerman has not been arrested or charged in the killing, a fact that has outraged protesters around the country. Martin was black. Zimmerman's father is white and his mother is Peruvian.

Gallup also found that the blacks were more likely to have an opinion on Zimmerman's guilt. Seventy-two percent of blacks say Zimmerman is definitely or probably guilty of a crime, while only one percent say he is not. Nonblacks also said that they think Zimmerman is guilty by 32 percent to 7 percent, but well over half of nonblacks say Zimmerman's guilt is unclear from the available evidence.

Gallup compared the racial split in the Martin story to that found during the Simpson trial. A 1995 poll found that 80 percent of blacks said the jury that found Simpson not guilt of murder made the correct decision, but only 42 percent of whites dd.

"Whatever happens, however, it is clear that the case struck a highly responsive chord with blacks across the country, and that blacks' immediate judgments are that this represents still another example of a racially biased criminal justice system," Gallup's Frank Newport wrote.

Loading Slideshow

• Trayvon Martin Photos

  Benjamin Crump, attorney, for the family of the late Trayvon Martin, talks to the media after the release of 911 call at the Sanford City Hall on Friday, March 16, 2012 in Sanford, Fla. Martin, 17, was shot to death after being confronted by Sanford neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman, 28, on February 26, 2012. Zimmerman told Sanford Police that he shot the unarmed black teenager in self-defense. Family members are calling for Zimmerman's arrest. Credit: David Manning for The Huffington Post

• Trayvon Martin Photos

  Benjamin Crump, attorney, for the family of the late Trayvon Martin, talks to the media after the release of 911 call at the Sanford City Hall on Friday, March 16, 2012 in Sanford, Fla. Credit: David Manning for The Huffington Post

• Trayvon Martin Photos

  Benjamin Crump, attorney, for the family of the late Trayvon Martin, talks to the media after the release of 911 call at the Sanford City Hall on Friday, March 16, 2012 in Sanford, Fla. Credit: David Manning for The Huffington Post

• Trayvon Martin Photos

  A memorial for the late Trayvon Martin sits at the neighborhood where he was shot on Friday, March 16, 2012 in Sanford, Fla. Martin, 17, was shot to death after being confronted by Sanford neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman, 28, on February 26, 2012. Zimmerman, white, told Sanford Police that he shot the unarmed black teenager in self-defense. Family members are calling for Zimmerman's arrest. Credit: David Manning for The Huffington Post

• Trayvon Martin Photos

  Local historian and activist Francis Oliver adjusts a memorial she placed for the late Trayvon Martin at the neighborhood where he was shot on Friday, March 16, 2012 in Sanford, Fla. Credit: David Manning for The Huffington Post

• Trayvon Martin Photos

  Valera Pinkard, of Orlando, Fla., holds a sign near a memorial for the late Trayvon Martin at the neighborhood where he was shot on Friday, March 16, 2012 in Sanford, Fla. Credit: David Manning for The Huffington Post

• Trayvon Martin Photos

  Sybrina Fulton, mother, of the late Trayvon Martin, addresses the media with Martin's father Tracy Martin, left, on Friday, March 16, 2012 in Orlando, Fla. Credit: David Manning for The Huffington Post

• Trayvon Martin Photos

  Sybrina Fulton, mother, of the late Trayvon Martin, left, hugs Selma Mora Lamilla, after addressing the media on Friday, March 16, 2012 in Orlando, Fla. Credit: David Manning for The Huffington Post

• Tracy Martin, father, of the late Trayvon Martin, addresses the media on Friday, March 16, 2012 in Orlando, Fla. Credit: David Manning for The Huffington Post

• Trayvon Martin Photos

  Benjamin Crump, attorney for the family of the late Trayvon Martin, addresses the media on Friday, March 16, 2012 in Orlando, Fla. Credit: David Manning for The Huffington Post

• Trayvon Martin Photos

  Tracy Martin, father, of the late Trayvon Martin, addresses the media on Friday, March 16, 2012 in Orlando, Fla. Credit: David Manning for The Huffington Post

• A Million Hoodies March Protests Death Of Trayvon Martin

  NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 21: Supporters of Trayvon Martin rally in Union Square during a 'Million Hoodie March' in Manhattan on March 21, 2012 in New York City. Thousands of protesters turned out to demonstrate against the killing of the black unarmed teenager by a white neighborhood watch captain. The protesters marched through the streets after holding a large rally in Union Square. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

• A Million Hoodies March Protests Death Of Trayvon Martin

  NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 21: Supporters of Trayvon Martin rally in Union Square during a 'Million Hoodie March' in Manhattan on March 21, 2012 in New York City. Thousands of protesters turned out to demonstrate against the killing of the black unarmed teenager by a white neighborhood watch captain. The protesters marched through the streets after holding a large rally in Union Square. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

• A Million Hoodies March Protests Death Of Trayvon Martin

  NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 21: Supporters of Trayvon Martin rally in Union Square during a 'Million Hoodie March' in Manhattan on March 21, 2012 in New York City. Thousands of protesters turned out to demonstrate against the killing of the black unarmed teenager by a white neighborhood watch captain. The protesters marched through the streets after holding a large rally in Union Square. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

• A Million Hoodies March Protests Death Of Trayvon Martin

  NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 21: Supporters of Trayvon Martin rally in Union Square during a 'Million Hoodie March' in Manhattan on March 21, 2012 in New York City. Thousands of protesters turned out to demonstrate against the killing of the black unarmed teenager by a white neighborhood watch captain. The protesters marched through the streets after holding a large rally in Union Square. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

• A Million Hoodies March Protests Death Of Trayvon Martin

  NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 21: Supporters of Trayvon Martin rally in Union Square during a 'Million Hoodie March' in Manhattan on March 21, 2012 in New York City. Thousands of protesters turned out to demonstrate against the killing of the black unarmed teenager by a white neighborhood watch captain. The protesters marched through the streets after holding a large rally in Union Square. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

• A Million Hoodies March Protests Death Of Trayvon Martin

  NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 21: Supporters of Trayvon Martin rally in Union Square during a 'Million Hoodie March' in Manhattan on March 21, 2012 in New York City. Thousands of protesters turned out to demonstrate against the killing of the black unarmed teenager by a white neighborhood watch captain. The protesters marched through the streets after holding a large rally in Union Square. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

• A Million Hoodies March Protests Death Of Trayvon Martin

  NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 21: Supporters of Trayvon Martin block traffic as they march on W. 14th Street during a 'Million Hoodie March' in Manhattan on March 21, 2012 in New York City. Thousands of protesters turned out to demonstrate against the killing of the black unarmed teenager by a white neighborhood watch captain. The protesters took to the streets after holding a large rally in Union Square. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

• A Million Hoodies March Protests Death Of Trayvon Martin

  NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 21: Tracy Martin (L), and Sybrina Fulton, parents of slain teenager Trayvon Martin, address supporters at a Million Hoodies March on March 21, 2012 in New York City. Family members joined hundreds of protesters calling for justice in the killing of Trayvon Martin, 17, who was was pursued and shot on February 26 in Sanford, Florida by 'neighborhood watch' member George Zimmerman, reportedly because the teenager's hoodie made him look suspicious. Under Florida's 'Stand Your Ground' law, Zimmerman has not been charged with a crime in the shooting. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

• A Million Hoodies March Protests Death Of Trayvon Martin

  NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 21: Sybrina Fulton, mother of slain teenager Trayvon Martin, speaks at the Million Hoodies March on March 21, 2012 in New York City. The family members joined hundreds of protesters calling for justice in the killing of Trayvon Martin, 17, who was was pursued and shot on February 26 in Sanford, Florida by 'neighborhood watch' member George Zimmerman, reportedly because the teenager's hoodie made him look suspicious. Under Florida's 'Stand Your Ground' law, Zimmerman has not been charged with a crime in the shooting. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

• Federal Government To Investigate Shooting Of Unarmed Teen Trayvon Martin

  MIAMI, FL - MARCH 21: Protesters hold cans of ice tea and Skittles which is what the 17-year-old Trayvon Martin is reported to have been carrying when he was killed by neighborhood watch person, George Zimmerman on February 26 in Sanford, Florida, on March 21, 2012 in Miami, Florida. The Justice Department and the FBI opened an investigation into the death of the black teenager, and the local state attorney announced that he had asked a grand jury to investigate. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

• Federal Government To Investigate Shooting Of Unarmed Teen Trayvon Martin

  MIAMI, FL - MARCH 21: Protesters hold cans of ice tea and Skittles which is what the 17-year-old Trayvon Martin is reported to have been carrying when he was killed by neighborhood watch person, George Zimmerman on February 26 in Sanford, Florida, on March 21, 2012 in Miami, Florida. The Justice Department and the FBI opened an investigation into the death of the black teenager, and the local state attorney announced that he had asked a grand jury to investigate. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

• Shooting Death Of Unarmed Teen Trayvon Martin Sparks National Outrage

  SANFORD, FL - MARCH 22: A reporter waits to broadcast at a rally for slain teenager Trayvon Martin on March 22, 2012 in Sanford, Florida. Sanford Police Department Chief Bill Lee announced today he will temporarily step down following the killing of the black unarmed teenager by a white and Hispanic neighborhood watch captain. Rev. Al Sharpton organized today's rally. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

• Shooting Death Of Unarmed Teen Trayvon Martin Sparks National Outrage

  SANFORD, FL - MARCH 22: Protesters demonstrate at a rally for slain teenager Trayvon Martin on March 22, 2012 in Sanford, Florida. Sanford Police Department Chief Bill Lee announced today he will temporarily step down following the killing of the black unarmed teenager by a white and Hispanic neighborhood watch captain. Rev. Al Sharpton organized today's rally. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

• Shooting Death Of Unarmed Teen Trayvon Martin Sparks National Outrage

  SANFORD, FL - MARCH 22: People attend a rally for slain teenager Trayvon Martin on March 22, 2012 in Sanford, Florida. Sanford Police Department Chief Bill Lee announced today he will temporarily step down following the killing of the black unarmed teenager by a white and Hispanic neighborhood watch captain. Rev. Al Sharpton organized today's rally. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

• Shooting Death Of Unarmed Teen Trayvon Martin Sparks National Outrage

  SANFORD, FL - MARCH 22: Protesters demonstrate at a rally for slain teenager Trayvon Martin on March 22, 2012 in Sanford, Florida. Sanford Police Department Chief Bill Lee announced today he will temporarily step down following the killing of the black unarmed teenager by a white and Hispanic neighborhood watch captain. Rev. Al Sharpton organized today's rally. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

• Shooting Death Of Unarmed Teen Trayvon Martin Sparks National Outrage

  SANFORD, FL - MARCH 22: A protester holds a sign with pictures of George Zimmerman at a rally for slain teenager Trayvon Martin on March 22, 2012 in Sanford, Florida. Sanford Police Department Chief Bill Lee announced today he will temporarily step down following the killing of the black unarmed teenager by white and Hispanic neighborhood watch captain George Zimmerman. Rev. Al Sharpton organized today's rally. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

• Shooting Death Of Unarmed Teen Trayvon Martin Sparks National Outrage

  SANFORD, FL - MARCH 22: Protesters demonstrate at a rally for slain teenager Trayvon Martin on March 22, 2012 in Sanford, Florida. Sanford Police Department Chief Bill Lee announced today he will temporarily step down following the killing of the black unarmed teenager by a white and Hispanic neighborhood watch captain. Rev. Al Sharpton organized today's rally. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

• Shooting Death Of Unarmed Teen Trayvon Martin Sparks National Outrage

  SANFORD, FL - MARCH 22: Protesters demonstrate at a rally for slain teenager Trayvon Martin on March 22, 2012 in Sanford, Florida. Sanford Police Department Chief Bill Lee announced today he will temporarily step down following the killing of the black unarmed teenager by a white and Hispanic neighborhood watch captain. Rev. Al Sharpton organized today's rally. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

• Shooting Death Of Unarmed Teen Trayvon Martin Sparks National Outrage

  SANFORD, FL - MARCH 22: Sanford resident Rodney Stokes carries his son Rodney Stokes Jr. on his shoulder at a rally for slain teenager Trayvon Martin on March 22, 2012 in Sanford, Florida. Sanford Police Department Chief Bill Lee announced today he will temporarily step down following the killing of the black unarmed teenager by a white and Hispanic neighborhood watch captain. Rev. Al Sharpton organized today's rally. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

• Shooting Death Of Unarmed Teen Trayvon Martin Sparks National Outrage

  SANFORD, FL - MARCH 22: Protesters demonstrate at a rally for slain teenager Trayvon Martin on March 22, 2012 in Sanford, Florida. Sanford Police Department Chief Bill Lee announced today he will temporarily step down following the killing of the black unarmed teenager by a white and Hispanic neighborhood watch captain. Rev. Al Sharpton organized today's rally. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

• Shooting Death Of Unarmed Teen Trayvon Martin Sparks National Outrage

  SANFORD, FL - MARCH 22: Protesters demonstrate at a rally for slain teenager Trayvon Martin on March 22, 2012 in Sanford, Florida. Sanford Police Department Chief Bill Lee announced today he will temporarily step down following the killing of the black unarmed teenager by a white and Hispanic neighborhood watch captain. Rev. Al Sharpton organized today's rally. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

• Shooting Death Of Unarmed Teen Trayvon Martin Sparks National Outrage

  SANFORD, FL - MARCH 22: Rev. Al Sharpton (R) looks on at a rally with Tracy Martin (R), father of slain teenager Trayvon Martin, on March 22, 2012 in Sanford, Florida. Sanford Police Department Chief Bill Lee announced today he will temporarily step down following the killing of the black unarmed teenager by a white and Hispanic neighborhood watch captain. Sharpton organized today's rally. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

• Shooting Death Of Unarmed Teen Trayvon Martin Sparks National Outrage

  SANFORD, FL - MARCH 22: Rev. Al Sharpton departs as media are reflected in a vehicle window at a rally for slain teenager Trayvon Martin on March 22, 2012 in Sanford, Florida. Sanford Police Department Chief Bill Lee announced today he will temporarily step down following the killing of the black unarmed teenager by a white and Hispanic neighborhood watch captain. Sharpton organized today's rally. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

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Comments

[ninasmom1976]

10:17 PM on 04/29/2012

And.. If OJ didn't do it... then who did? I hear he's pointing at his son now. Class act.

[ninasmom1976]

10:16 PM on 04/29/2012

I am a white woman and I think that this case was completely racially motivated. I think that Zimmerman was not charged because his daddy is a retired judge. I am disguised that it took so long to get a Murder 2 charge and I am still not convinced that it wasn't murder 1. The fact that no charges were filed is why this ballooned into what it has become. This was not self defense.. even if Trayvon became physical. Zimmerman chased him down after being told not to. I can't say that if I was in the situation where a lunatic was charging at me that I wouldn' physically defend myself. The fact is Zimmerman was told to back off by 911 and he didn't. He is negligent in the death of Trayvon regardless of what color anyone is. If Trayvon was my child I would want someone to answer to why he is dead.

P.S
ZIMMERMAN IS NOT WHITE!

[DrB3]

12:52 AM on 04/12/2012

I found it interesting that a survey said 42% of non-blacks felt that the O.J. Simpson verdict was correct. Ok. I guess it all worked out in the end anyway, didn't it?

Also not convinced that 80% of the black community felt that O.J. was absolutely "not guilty" so much as they felt elation at his acquittal after so many years of unfair/unjust prosecution and horribly racist verdicts. It was puzzling to me at the time, but after learning about people like Emitt Till and other atrocities, I found it easier to understand.

[The Omniscient Observer]

09:32 PM on 04/11/2012

It would be just as bad if there was no color attached to the case. However, there is an undertone of a race based decision on Zimmerman's part to see Trayvon as suspicious, that cannot simply be ignored because it makes people of a certain race "uncomfortable".

[emmeaki]

12:27 AM on 04/11/2012

People keep talking about whether this is or isn't racially motivated, but if you take race out of the equation, the situation is still just as bad. Zimmerman was judge, jury, and executioner. He took it upon himself to go after someone with no proof of any wrongdoing and then take their life in the process. I don't care if the boy was green. How can anyone defend Zimmerman's behavior?

[hlevine127]

05:03 PM on 04/11/2012

Exactly!

[thebearclaw007]

10:12 AM on 04/10/2012

Trayvon Martin Incident
White privilege vs. Justice

[Valu R Us]

12:19 AM on 04/10/2012

When will blacks realize that the Republican Party shows no value for their lives or that of their children?

Unfortunately, this senseless tragedy has become a political issues. Just imagine for a moment if Treyvon Martin was the shooter. He would have been arrested, without bail, convicted by Fox News and presumed guilty of first-degree murder by the Republican Party,simply for being black. Regardless of party affiliation, as parents, as a civilized society, how can you find justification in the senseless tragedy?

[special38x2]

01:06 AM on 04/10/2012

Oh, so now the problem with black people dying is the fault of the Republic Party... That is so lame... The law, following an investigation, warranted not keeping him in jail. And, it's been the liberal media that has created damage throughout the reporting. Keep politics and race out of this.

[thebearclaw007]

10:17 AM on 04/10/2012

"Keep politics and race out of this."
It's too ingrained in the system to do so.
And I bet your tune would be so different if your family member had gotten murdered in this fashion. How difficult would it be to live, love and laugh?

[dim]

01:35 PM on 04/10/2012

Yeah, a crappy investigation - one that didn't test Zimmerman for gunpowder residue, one that didn't get eyewitness reports right away and allowed memories to degrade, one that didn't follow the lead about Martin's phone conversations, one that left his body lying around for three days, before notifying the worried parents. One where the DA pulled some strings because Zimmerman's father is a judge. Sanford police are known for that kind of thing.

[irish57]

05:34 PM on 04/09/2012

I think the DOJ would have done something about a group of thugs intimidating voters outside of a polling place if they had been white.

[Yurugu]

06:53 PM on 04/09/2012

What makes you think that? Police officers have an incredible record of killing blacks and other minorities and are never dealt with by the justice system.
We are not talking about unruly thugs we are talking about men and women who hired by the state and paid through tax dollars to protect and serve.

Nothing is done about that so the idea that blacks are getting away with something that whites could never is incredibly flawed.

[irish57]

07:14 PM on 04/09/2012

Well then I'd be very interested to hear your hypothesis as to why the DOJ didn't go after the bat wielding New Black Panthers for voter intimidation?

[jlspecter05]

09:18 AM on 04/10/2012

You are absolutely correct, police officers have an incredible record of killing blacks and other minorities...THAT BREAK THE LAW AND HAVE REASON TO BE KILLED! Look at the numbers, sorry that the facts of who commits crimes does not fit your idealogical standard...

[shoreguyy]

05:34 PM on 04/09/2012

nobody can be that stupid to think if zimmerman was black and martin white that he not only would be arrested but charged with first degree murder....if any of you think otherwise then you are out of touch with reality..!!!!!!!!!!

[natasha1954]

05:21 PM on 04/09/2012

Zimmerman chased this kid because he was black. The 911 tapes show that this young black men had done NOTHING but walk down the street. Zimmerman thought that was suspicious - walking? Come on. He acted on a generalization that black = trouble, and the police agreed. At best, the police were grossly inept. But, I hope this situation will make us do something about prisons full of men who are predominately black and poor. Why don't we see anything wrong with that? We act like it's just totally their fault. We want to say that what happened for a few hundred years (slavery) didn't cause this. We ignore the effects of years of racial disparity. The Civil War was not that long ago in historical terms. My grandmother (I'm 58) told me stories her mother told her about her Mammy. A lot of my family are extremely racist, always use the N word, TODAY, and how can whites say, "Oh blacks aren't really discriminated against anymore. They just think they are." Those whites evidently haven't met the racists that I have in my life! Some black people see discrimination in every matter between whites and blacks and that is unfortunate. But, in most situations, they are seeing it because it is THERE. When the population shifts to place people of color in the majority, things will change.

[Yurugu]

06:43 PM on 04/09/2012

I think your comment is really on point!

I find it interesting when whites say no discrimination exists on the grounds of race or that its not a significant problem anymore and that its only in our heads, I often wonder what informs them and leads them to this insight even though they are the least effected in this matter.

This would be like me a man feeling confident enough to tell women that gender discrimination disappeared in Britain the moment Thatcher took power or that male supremacy wasn't still prevalent in every society on the earth today.
Would I be so foolish to imagine that for one second that I could frame such a discussion??
Partaking in the debate is one thing but those who think they know whats best but have virtually no experience in the matter is another.

And even though with that last sentence I was being sarcastic around the issues of gender Im sure there are many men who would be glad to give it a shot.

[emmeaki]

12:18 AM on 04/11/2012

Racism doesn't exist to many whites simply because of the fact that they are not the ones who are discriminated against. That's like me saying that child abuse doesn't exist just because my mom didn't abuse me.

[MissLace]

07:48 PM on 04/09/2012

I appreciate your honesty. I am happy that for once someone is being honest.

[charleshbuchannan]

03:35 PM on 04/09/2012

Count this white guy as one who is certain that this was a racially motivated homicide, and who does not have his head in the sand: America remains a deeply racist nation.

[Gene Patten]

10:16 PM on 04/09/2012

Thanks to the President for inflaming the situation.

[thebearclaw007]

10:25 AM on 04/10/2012

The president just spoke up for humanity and justice as every parent with any kind of love for children should. Sorry you aren't there yet.

[Ferdinand Berkhof]

12:45 PM on 04/10/2012

absolute nonsense

[milk62078]

03:27 PM on 04/09/2012

would there be marches if he had killed zimmerman? im white. i dont care what color you are, because chances are, i probably hate you either way. lets start hating for the right reasons. lets just hate crappy people. and stop worrying about color.

[MissLace]

07:54 PM on 04/09/2012

No there would not be any marches because the killer would have been arrested, charged, and found innocent or guilty by a jury of his peers. Something that was not done in this case due to sloppy police work and the "stand your ground" law. Trayvon's mother is asking for an arrest.

Color is also not a reason I answered like I did. We all bleed red.

[milk62078]

08:51 PM on 04/09/2012

well according to that law, had the situation been reversed, then treyvon would not have been arrested. im sure if it was an asian guy or a jewish guy, if the officers used their judgement, it would have been the same.

[thebearclaw007]

10:27 AM on 04/10/2012

" im white. i dont care what color you are, because chances are, i probably hate you either way. "

You sound like a crappy person to me.

[milk62078]

02:45 PM on 04/10/2012

i know. that was kinda my point. im sure youre better of a person than i. that doesnt make me hate you any less.

[shelly54]

02:41 PM on 04/09/2012

The media are the ones keeping this heated. They will beat this horse long after it is dead. Shame on them all. I am white and I really feel that Zimmerman stalked him, but then again the whole truth needs to come to light before we make any decisions. I feel so very bad for this young man's family. Also, one would expect that Zimmerman's family would see there son as innocent. There is so much pain on both sides. I am afraid that there will always be that black/white divide. Some just can't let the past lay...that goes for both sides black and white!!!!!

[thebearclaw007]

10:35 AM on 04/10/2012

" I really feel that Zimmerman stalked him, "

So do I and if he had not stalked him this situation would not have occurred. That's why he should be in prison. And if it wasn't for the media, the public would have probably never known about the injustice Zimmerman and others like him inflict on young black males in American society. The media has also helped us to get a better, truer understanding of the racist element that still exists in American society, even though the warped, morally indecent citizens enjoy pretending they are enlightened, when incidents like this prove they are not. Shame on American society.

[Bigbob123]

02:14 PM on 04/09/2012

I've seen it time and time again in my town. If a black gets a traffic ticket it's profiling.
Cops have video of gas station murder on security cameras and perp still sez discrimination.

[thebearclaw007]

10:37 AM on 04/10/2012

How do you feel when you read an articles that says whites are not prosecuted AT ALL for the SAME crimes that African American comment?

[dim]

02:03 PM on 04/10/2012

Who cares what the perp says - they'll say anything to save their hides - discrimination, tough childhood, clinical depression, etc. It doesn't mean those things do not exist.

When discrimination is clear to the whole community and they start feeling like their own cops are not on their side (how else can you interpret the cruelty of leaving the kid's dead body lying around for three days, before notifying the parents?), that's when there is little choice, but to hit the streets and demand justice - the only way to discourage further carnage.

What kind of a town is Sanford, where being the son of a judge or a cop gives you carte blanche to assault people? Prior to this homicide, Zimmerman got nabbed 3 times for violent offenses - charges dropped every time.

[Yurugu]

01:35 PM on 04/09/2012

Being from Britain I find it really interesting to watch these situations play themselves out in the States the exact same way they do in the UK. The moment something like this happens white people conciously or unconciously begin to find rationals and justifications to excuse the crime commited and for why it makes sense that blacks are targeted and killed at the hands of lawenforcement or members of the public.

The really weird thing is that no matter how many times this happens people do their very best to review it in an isolated context rather than recognize this as a continuous act of aggression which has never gone away.
Has much as it astounds me I get why many many whites find it impossible to see this in its racial context and I understand unfortunately why many people do not tend to understand the system that privileges some over others even if only at an ideological level but it is this ideology that creates the normalization of these situations and why we are just as far from real understanding and racial harmony has we have ever been.

[moionfire]

03:49 PM on 04/09/2012

Good post!

[lisaman]

05:16 PM on 04/09/2012

I am white and I agree, I really wish I didn't but I do.