"Who Are The True Racists?”

Over the past few days, I skimmed over a few articles regarding Robert Zimmerman, Sr, father of George Zimmerman.  The articles contained excerpts from an ebook Mr. Zimmerman wrote about his son’s case, Florida v. Zimmerman: Uncovering the Malicious Prosecution of My Son, George.

Robert Zimmerman, Sr, father of George Zimmerman      
Photo by AP

Since Father’s Day had just passed and without initially reading the articles thoroughly, I assumed Mr. Zimmerman’s posture would certainly support his son.  I was not going to say anything about Mr. Zimmerman, his book or anything he had to say.  However, as I read some of the quotes pulled directly from Mr. Zimmerman’s publication, my mouth fell open and dropped to the floor.  In an effort to understand where this man was coming from, I was compelled to read more.

Robert Zimmerman contends race is being used to inflame the case against his son George.  He states that African-American leaders and the Martin family attorneys, who Zimmerman calls “The Scheme Team,” are maliciously fanning the flames of racism and manipulating the emotional outcry of the African-American community.

I’m not a supporter of those who pull the race card for every situation that pops up.  It has been used far too frequently and often those attempting to use it don’t have a clue as to the nature of the real crime.  However while I fully realize the race card was pulled almost immediately following Trayvon’s death, circumstances really dictate perhaps it should have been.  I cite just a few of many examples: 

1. George Zimmerman clearly profiled Martin the evening of the shooting when he described Martin to a police dispatcher as looking “like he’s up to no good or on drugs or something.” Zimmerman had already made up in his mind, Trayvon was a criminal.
2. Prior to the shooting of Trayvon, the Sanford Police Department had a questionable reputation and a history of excessiveness in violent acts, specifically against African-Americans.  The Trayvon Martin shooting only escalated the Sanford African-American community’s disdain and distrust of the police department. This was especially relevant after George Zimmerman was released following the initial investigation, which lasted only 5 or 6 hours.
3. Even though he had taken the life of an unarmed teenager, Zimmerman wasn’t charged with any crime (i.e. wrongful death, manslaughter, unlawful discharge of a firearm, assault and battery, etc.), absolutely nothing, until some 45 days after the shooting.  Additionally, this was after the Sanford Police Chief and lead investigator, following community protest and resentment, voluntarily stepped away from the case and a special prosecutor was named at the state level.

It seems obvious, attitudes of racism existed in Sanford long before Trayvon Martin came along.  If not racism, what circumstances might have occurred that would allow these factors to have legitimately materialized?

In his ebook, Mr. Zimmerman attempts to paint a picture of George as anything other than racist.  Mr. Zimmerman is white and his wife is Hispanic, therefore he states, his son George was raised in a very diverse household.  He goes on to make this statement, "Many of George's closest and most trusted friends are African American.”

Is it me or is this the standard remark spewed from the lips of many who defend a charge of racism? I may be wrong but does this statement make them look that much more questionable?  And when asked to identify one of those “trusted friends,” they can’t seem to remember anyone particular or they say something like, “there’s the guy who works on my car; we hang out every 3 months when he changes my oil.”

Had Mr. Zimmerman ended his allegations there, I seriously doubt the articles I encountered and referenced from the HuffingtonPost.com, The Root and Think Progress would have been written. But he doesn’t end there; he goes on to assault institutions like the NAACP, the Congressional Black Caucus, the National Association of Black Law Enforcement Officers, the United Negro College Fund and National Basketball Players Association. 

He attacks Eric Holder, Attorney General of the United States and falls just short of specifically pointing a racist finger at President Obama.  He does imply the President and Attorney General are using this case to bolster their position within the African-American community.

Mr. Zimmerman states, prior to this incident, he believed “racism was a thing of the past.” He now feels racism is "flourishing at the insistence of some in the African-American Community." I wonder if Mr. Zimmerman’s wife would agree.  This is a common misconception among many in America.  It’s a myth, just like equal pay for women is, in the workplace.  

Yes Mr. Zimmerman, racism is flourishing, but not at the hands of any specific group. It is flourishing right where it historically has thrived....in the heart, regardless of race, creed or color.  And Mr. Zimmerman, based on the remarks contained in your publication, it appears to be thriving in your heart and mind. And if it exists in your heart and mind, it probably was present in the household George grew up in.

Who is the true racist?  Mr. Robert Zimmerman, Sr., you are.

I’m not hatin, I’m jus sayin…