Response to "You Are Not Trayvon Martin"

Today, I read and listened to an article entitled “You Are Not Trayvon Martin” written by “Slate” blogger William Saletan.  The following are my remarks written in response.

Mr. Saletan, I felt yours was a well written piece which made some excellent points, many with which I fully concur.  However, as you stated you only watched 7 hours of video, the closing remarks of the trial. How can you make such sweeping statements? I would venture to guess there is much more you have missed.  I watched the entire trial, all that was televised, except the verdict which occurred at an hour when my television was off.

Racism may or may not have impacted on Zimmerman's decision to label Trayvon, only Zimmerman knows that for sure. But it surely appears as if it played a major role in the Sanford Police Department's reluctance to file charges or even thoroughly investigate the shooting.  Whether you are aware or not, the SPD already had a history of "questionable" behavior and excessively violent arrests within the African-American community in Sanford and Seminole County, Florida. This is a key factor in what originally brought concerns of racism into this case.

Personally, I always thought it was a mistake to make race a primary issue in this case.  Not that racism wasn't present, the case was inundated with it.  It just seemed extremely difficult to prove. I believed the Prosecution should have stuck with the negligence and poor judgment Zimmerman displayed in stalking Martin and the death Zimmerman's actions resulted in.

However race being laid to the side, Zimmerman obviously lied on multiple occasions during the initial investigation.  His statement changed at various parts of his story (i.e. “Trayvon jumped out of the bushes” changes to “out of nowhere” after no bushes could be identified).  SPD lead investigator Chris Serino testified, Zimmerman had inconsistencies and inconsistencies were to be expected.  I would think inconsistencies would indicate lying and therefore further support charges being filed.

Zimmerman’s whole scenario surrounding the gun; how and when it first was pulled is a complete lie, an utter fabrication.  The explanation Zimmerman gave in his videos was proven impossible by State’s Attorney John Guy.  Both because of where the weapon was positioned on Zimmerman’s body and the fact that Trayvon’s legs would not allow access to the weapon by either of them.

I can’t help but wonder, if he lied about these things, what else Zimmerman could be lying about.

Since when have videos of the defendant's side of the story stood up as evidence? Trayvon isn’t here to tell his side of the story.  It seems everyone is assuming Zimmerman's statements are the truth.  He wasn't under oath, scrutinized during cross examination or subjected to the laws of perjury.

Mr. Saletan states, this tragedy is the result of oversimplifying.  That the national outrage and response to the verdict is “oversimplification,” and that Trayvon has become Emmitt Till.

Mr. Saletan there is nothing simple about this whole tragedy. Your article seems to strive to simplify this matter.  It cannot.  And Trayvon Benjamin Martin is not Emmitt Till.  Trayvon Martin, like Emmitt Till is a martyr in an extremely long line of martyred African-American lives.

Finally, the loss in this trial was about more than Zimmerman getting away scott free.  It's also about African-American males no longer being safe in this country.  Particularly in states like Florida where the carrying of concealed weapons are permitted and "Stand Your Ground" laws are in effect. In these states, this trial has placed into legal precedence the right to bare arms against and shoot African-Americans in "self-defense."

I’m not hatin, I’m just sayin…