You're missing half the conversation there. I was saying that if you did those things people will react, it doesn't give you the right to turn around and shoot them. You are baiting them to react, and then claiming self defense. You're the one who started it in the first place.
I don't think it would get any where any ways because the lack of proof. I don't think any racial tension has been created. Have there been a string of violence or something? This case hasn't made black people hate white people, it's made black people lose trust in the Criminal Justice System, likely especially those in Florida.
Where? Where is this sporadic outbreak of violence, vandalism, and theft? I've sure gone further than you have. Has said that ther ewasn't enought to convinct GZ, that GZ likely didn't go out looking for a black kid. Earlier I even said I believe the guy was fearing for his life. He didn't seem like a horrible person...but a extremely reckless person. That does not mean though that he can't profile/sterotype Trayvon. That putting 5 white people in a jury was smart. Really? OJs Jury was mostly black, guess what happened? Mmhmm sure is. Problem is...he said there was nothing he'd do different. I think he meant moreso in the heat of the moment though as in during the fight...but him saying that certainly doesn't gain much sympathy. The problem is Zimmerman's account of things basically make it seem like Trayvon was peeking in windows. If he was not...then what does he mean by looking at houses? Just looking at houses? Well Zimmerman seemed a lot thinner then. Still we don't know. They could have had a heated discussion in those two minutes, GZ could have shoved him...literally anything could have happened. So I don't like arguing over who did what first. Again, there wasn't enough to convict GZ so I'm not arguing that. Personally I've never had ANY problem with white people, so I'm not arguing that and I don't mean to come off that way. But I don't like when race issues are swept under the rug. I don't think the majority of white people are racist...I think people have a bias because science indicates that people do...but I don't think most white people are out to hold black people down. So from my experience I've never met a racist white person IRL or they do a good job of hiding it (not saying they do) and I don't throw it around. Of course though online and games is a totally different story. I've played MMO games where I make non-black characters because I don't want to deal with that **** in a game...and when I did play on XBL stopped playing with a mic because I was tired of getting racist comments from playing a game...A NBA game at times too. So Racism is not dead...and it's not thriving either...it's just this nasty festering thing that pops up at times. Most black people I think just say "Idiot" and move on...but when that racism affects our lives then you can expect outrage. Every single time.
Lack of proof? How ironic. And yes, I definitely believe there has been racial tension. "I'm going to kill a white person in self defense" "you can kill a black person in amerikkka" "they got us back for OJ" If you dont believe it then there's really nothing I can say but that I will agree to disagree with you.
Zimmerman says TM circled his car in the police re-enactment and on the 911 call he says "TM is coming to check me out". So that was clearly his first chance to say something like "Hi; I'm with the Neighborhood Watch. Can I help you with something? Who are you, etc". Why wouldn't he roll down his window and talk to the guy? If you are so worried he's a criminal, why on Earth would you let him get away from you without asking him what's he doing? And don't tell me he was scared, because if he was that scared, he obviously wouldn't have gotten out of his car to follow him. He obviously had another chance when TM asks him "Why are you following me?" Again, witnesses have testified to hearing yelling that evening. I believe the 2 exchanged more words than just "Why are you following me?", followed by "What are you doing around here?" followed by a punch. So he may have had many opportunities. We know he had at least 2.
Very well stated. Very mature attitude. However, were you this mature when you were 17 years old? Wisdom comes with age. I believe you said you had kids. Not sure if they are teenagers, but this phase of life is probably the phase we as humans make the most mistakes and are most prone to getting into fights and skirmishes.
This case is what you make of it really. It's a tree that fell in the middle of the woods and no one was around to see or hear it. It's hard to say anything with such certainty. I think what they will pursue is if Trayvon is profiled. Which is fair because Zimmerman's own attorney said they should look into it. As for the rest of that, that's fringe people. I've yet to see this hate coming from people that actually matter. I mean we can pull up racist tweets from any where, racist and hateful 'churches' etc etc. I put no stock in that mess, it's just mess. I could pull up the comments from a article on this and just drown this thread with racist comments...but it's fringe people just being stupid as they want to do.
If you call someone a name and that person attacks you then you are within your rights to defend yourself. A jury would laugh at the defense of "someone called me a name so I started whooping their ass and got popped". Upsetting someone's sensitivities by verbally assaulting them is not legal grounds for physical assault. In other words, you might think Zimmerman used excessive force in defending himself from physical assault, but Trayvon using physical assault to defend himself from a verbal assault would also be excessive force.
Charles speaks well. <script height="360px" width="640px" src="http://player.ooyala.com/iframe.js#pbid=b171980b65ae4996bffea4da902c7846&ec=1neTRmZDrDFj5YojujVOGMhMW-sNNXaj"></script>
Give it up, he doesn't agree. He believes insults are the equivalent of a threat of violence. He's already said that no jury would convict someone for beating the crap out of you if you called them a name or a woman who peppered spray a guy and then smashed his head into the ground if she thought she was being followed. He has no concept of excessive force, real self defense, etc. It's better to just let him be and hope you're not around when his immaturity gets him into a problem.
So if someone calls me a Jap or a chink, I am compelled to try to whoop their ass. I can't choose to not do it, and I don't have any agency in the decision to beat someone up for insulting me. That is a very interesting viewpoint.
Yet 2 people saw someone acting suspiciously that night. You are railing on the one who did call the Police instead of the one who decided to not call the Police instead decided to bang the other guys head on the sidewalk. So the message moving forward is that black kids can't call the cops.....street justice is the answer.
A federal hate crime requires that you prove the highest standard in the law. With not even a shred of evidence that case is not going to hold water. Look into it all you want but it's just going disappoint the black community that is rallying for some punishment for Zimmerman.
The quote you put in there is something I've been harping on. There seem to be three camps in the group of people who are upset with the verdict. Group 1) Don't know any of the facts. These are just the ignorant people who want to be a part of the argument. (This group exists on both sides by the way) Group 2) These are the people who have issues with gun violence specifically and see that one person used a gun to kill another. The gun issue is really the overriding factor for them. For them the fact that Zimmerman was carrying a gun put a burden on him that gives him the full responsibility for the outcome. He should have stayed in the car, he should not have followed, etc. Group 3) These are the people who don't think punching someone, smashing their head on the ground, etc. is really a big deal. You see it throughout this thread with posters saying things like "Take your beating and get on with it" "Don't be a puss and shoot someone for beating you up" etc. They believe violence is at least reasonable but, frightening as it is, possibly admirable. It boggles their mind that anyone thinks you might be justified in shooting someone that is beating the crap out of you. They can't rationalize in their mind why it's not OK to beat someone up.
Heard on KUTX yesterday a catchy little ditty from reggae legends Steel Pulse called "Put Your Hoodie on for Trayvon". Just thought I'd share.
Let Rachel Jeantel explain it to you. You don't have to go by laws or rules of society. Your conduct is governed by your neighborhood customs. The hell with jury verdicts, go to the streets and whoop ass. The street jury's verdict is you just got your ass whooped. Nice job of her admitting that Trayvon would "whoop ass" if confronted. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/1KXSW8OfvSQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
