Having had
several days to read, listen and reflect, I’m feeling various sad and angry emotions regarding George Zimmerman’s acquittal from charges concerning what I would clearly call: “The
Murder of Trayvon Martin”. It is
painful to realize that under particular circumstances, all of my immediate
family could still today be targeted and even killed because they are
African-American. It feels horrible to
realize that people who otherwise might be decent people either make the (tragic)
victim into a villain or are barely, if at all, affected by the injustice that
has occurred.
When we don’t
deal with issues like racism in deeply significant, painful ways amongst
ourselves, particularly when we are White Americans, we help continue the
festering wounds of racism. We should
not be surprised, though we should be shocked, at what has happened.
I, naively
hope that this incident will, in the end, help bring about some important
positive change. My cynicism returns
however telling me that we said the same thing about handguns after the Sandy
Hook Elementary School killings not that long ago.
I hope, against hope that things will get
better! I appreciate and greatly
respect the many wonderful people who are speaking out positively and in loving
ways, as well as speaking of their anger, frustration and pain at this
injustice.
Thank You!
