First of all like most humans I am truly sorry for the loss of Trayvon Martin. My prayers go out to his family and to the countless nameless others who like Trayvon have been killed because they are black.
It used to be that particularly in the south non-black folks were not afraid to admit that they were racist. Folks were not politically correct. They called a spade a spade literally and said and thought the N-word out loud.
They thought black folks were inferior and were less than human. Folks who held these opinions had no regrets. They expressed their racist thoughts openly without fear of retribution.
Now in 2012, even if one is busted uttering the N-word, there is some justification for it or rationalization of why that person is in fact not racist.
So Craig Sonner, George Zimmerman's attorney, says Zimmerman is not racist. Sonner did not admit to hearing the 911 tape when folks thought they clearly heard the word uttered.
Trayvon Martin through his tragic death and our 24-hour news and social media cycle has captured the attention of folks and now folks act like they finally want to talk about race and racism.
And therein lies the problem. We are not ready to talk about race or racism. Yes there is superficial talk. Many folks are outraged at the shooting and lack of an arrest. It has captured the traditional and social medias attention.
Here is why I won't sign the Trayvon Martin petitions on Facebook. People are expecting some change to come about because they sign a petition or don a hoodie. But as Bilen Mesfin so eloquently stated in "Stop Racism, Not Hoodies--A Message to Geraldo Rivera" racism and its root causes that need to end not hoodies and other other symbolic apparel.
So yes WeAreTrayvonMartin but also WeAreGeorgeZimmerman.
Because just are there are millions of potential victims of racism as long as the underlying causes exist there are also perpetuators of racism.
We've got to stop glossing over the issue of racism with shock and dismay at the myriad of occurrences or outright denial. Yes, legislation is needed to address the civil and criminal law violations, but more importantly change must come from communities. That is where the true battle lies. Racists do not care about petitions and marches, but once folks like Trayvon are viewed as humans rather than less than human, social justice can prevail and racism can be eliminated.
Let's engage in real dialogues to end all the isms and phobias: racism, sexism, ageism, heterosexism, homophobia, and more. And not petitions and pictures of us in hoodies where we are preaching to the choir.
Follow Akilah Bolden-Monifa on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Kiki_Thinks
There will always be people who don't like black people. Sadly that won't change. While hearts and emotions can be slow or resistant to change, laws can change. Public servant hiring practices can be put in place. We have to demand (through our voices and votes) changes be made to our justice system so that we can ALL have equal protection under the law. And in that regard, there is power in simply signing a petition. Just as the Miranda Rights must be read to every person arrested in every state, a system must be put in place to insure that when any person takes a human life, certain investigative procedures take place – period. The next person who deserves justice could be you or me.
Signing a petition says, no more. Wearing a hoodie shows support. The change should be with you/us as much as them. The sad part is you have a wonderful opportunity to create change through your blog and instead you proudly stand in bitterness and stubbornness. You didn't sign...great! You should get an award.
Like it or not, we are striving to keep the "innocent till proven guilty system" here. Just because we have filled in the gaps of the story with our own details does not make them true. I admit over this past month I have been wanting an arrest here as well. I hate what has happened here and feel deeply for Trayvon's family... He was a child and his death was an awful tragedy. But if it turns out he was the attacker, we have to all be ready for and accept it. I find it amazing that no one seems to even be considering that Zimmerman's account may have been true. I'm not sure anyone would believe it now with perfect evidence at this point. Another question then is, if that is the truth. Will we all feel as strongly for George Zimmerman? Will we all rally for the wrong that was done to him?
There is a reality. That reality must be dealt with. As much as hate-mongers on both sides would like to see this through the prism of their own hatreds, there IS a reality.
IF Zimmerman killed this young black man (Man, not child, not boy) with one shot, and IF Zimmerman also had physical injuries, who injured him? If he was assaulted, did he legitimately feel his life was being threatened. Does anyone seriously believe Zimmerman called the police, then shot Martin quickly before they could get there?