When I heard the George Zimmerman verdict, I was stunned and shocked. I was speechless. I am still outraged. I can't watch the news for awhile. I am appalled by Zimmerman attorneys' gloating and revolting proclamations. I am sickening by the Zimmerman team's demonic grins. They look like devils to me.
For once, I allowed myself to believe in the criminal justice system. I allowed myself to hope. I thought that perhaps an all white southern jury would render a fair and just verdict. I thought that maybe those mothers on the jury would sympathize with another mother, Sybrina Fulton. As mothers, I thought that they would feel Ms. Fulton's pain. I thought that maybe they would value Trayvon's life. I was wrong, so wrong.
The defense closed their case by having a young white woman testify about young black teenagers burglarizing her home. She testified about hiding in the closet terrified and with her infant as the burglars roamed around in her house. She testified about how George Zimmerman talked to her and helped her purchase a new lock to secure her home. Her testimony was designed to serve two purposes. The first purpose was to reinforce the jury's fear of black men. The second purpose was to help rationalize and justify George Zimmerman's racial profiling of Trayvon Martin.
Unfortunately, the jury embraced the defense team's fear mongering and subtle racism. Despite all of George Zimmerman's lies, the jury accepted his false narrative as the gospel truth. Sadly, Trayvon Martin joins the ranks of Emmett Till, Sean Bell, Amadou Diallo and Rodney King.
I reject the assertion that the prosecution did not prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. That jury simply chose racism over reason. Obama is right about one thing. The jury has spoken. Their message was loud and clear. Through their despicable verdict, they said that it is acceptable to assume that all young black men and boys are dangerous criminals. They said that it is acceptable to hunt unarmed black boys. They said that the right to self defense is reserved for white people. They said that it is a capital offense for a black person to even think about self defense.
They told the world that black life is worth less than a piece of fecal matter. They told the world that Trayvon Martin was not a precious human being. They said he is not our brother or our son. They said that he is a deposable nigger. Once again, we are reminded that a dog's life has more value than a black man's life. So, no. I will not be politically correct. I will never say that I respect the jury's decision. They were wrong as hell. Most intelligent and conscientious people realized that.
That is why the people continue to rally around the country for justice for Trayvon. The struggle for justice continues. Thousands of people are peacefully marching and rallying in New York, Newark, Boston, Los Angeles and other cities around the country. The bloggers will continue to blog about this issue. We care about this issue because we are all Trayvon. He is our brother. He is our son. He is our nephew. We will not let that young brother die in vain. I pray that his death will be a catalyst for a new movement for social justice.
Here are some very practical things that each one of us can do. First, as the great Pan Africanist Kwame Ture always said, join a social justice or political organization in your local community. In order to fight injustice, we must be organized. The best way to organize is to join an organization. Remain active in those organizations. There is strength in unity. We must unite with other like minded individuals. Second, participate in peacefully Justice for Trayvon marches and rallies in your local community. Join the March on Washington on August 24, 2013. The U.S. Department of Justice and whole world must see our outrage. Third, sign the NAACP's petition urging the Department of Justice to file civil rights charges against George Zimmerman. Fourth, we must lobby to eliminate Stand Your Ground laws around country. We must fight for stricter gun control laws around the country. A person who assaults a police officer should not be allowed to own a semi-automatic handgun. A person who engages in domestic violence should not be allowed to own a semi-automatic handgun. Such people should not be allowed to join neighborhood watch programs. Finally, we must take our civic obligations seriously. We must register to vote and vote in every election. We must elect mayors who make civil rights a top priority. We must respond to every jury summons and get on these juries. If we don't, all white juries will continue to render unjust verdicts.
Despite our great disappointment, we cannot allow ourselves to be discouraged. We must remain vigilant and engaged. We have come too far to give up now. The struggle for justice continues.
This article is cross-posted on This Week in Blackness.
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