Question about Trayvon

[remo]

Actually the question is more about the cops and United States than it is about Trayvon

Why did the cops find it necessary to send out a squad car to investigate a kid walking on a side walk doing by all accounts nothing illegal?
Should'nt they have told GZ to go home and leave the kid alone?

Is that a dumb question?

[Xavier]

Actually the question is more about the cops and United States than it is about Trayvon

Why did the cops find it necessary to send out a squad car to investigate a kid walking on a side walk doing by all accounts nothing illegal?
Should'nt they have told GZ to go home and leave the kid alone?

Is that a dumb question?

Remo are you familiar with the black man code of conduct? The premise is you are always a suspect for something until proven wrong. Also remember there were claims of burglary in the neighbor hood.

[remo]

Remo are you familiar with the black man code of conduct? The premise is you are always a suspect for something until proven wrong. Also remember there were claims of burglary in the neighbor hood.

So this case was all about race from the very beginning?

[Emperah]

yuh tink is any different here remo?

[Emperah]

Should'nt they have told GZ to go home and leave the kid alone?

Is that a dumb question?

He was told to leave the yute alone by de po-lice

[Xavier]

So this case was all about race from the very beginning?

In my opinion I don't think this case was only about race as there are so many other layers. We can also talk about profiling and stereotyping. I read one black columnist who said his black wife was following him in their neighborhood because he was wearing a hoodie while jogging and she did not recognize him. She was suspicious till she was close enough to see it was him. Race is a factor but there are so many layers to peel away about this case.

[remo]

yuh tink is any different here remo?

Yes man is a whole lot different here
nat saying it perfect here but I have 3 sons an I dont have to worry sending them to the store at any time of night

[accompong]

Remo are you familiar with the black man code of conduct? The premise is you are always a suspect for something until proven wrong. Also remember there were claims of burglary in the neighbor hood.

As a rule, I try to stay out of these discussions as (like lonewolf), I am white and can't begin to imagine what it is like growing up black in America. George Zimmerman was well known by the Sanford PD and had caused many police cars to be dispatched to that neighborhood over the years so doing in again is not much of a stretch.

I feel deeply for the Martin family and this tragedy but, at the same time, I don't think there was enough evidence presented to convict Zimmerman. Only two people know the truth and one can't seem to tell the truth and the other is dead.

Perhaps something good can come out of this tragedy like common sense gun laws and getting rid of a "stand your ground" defense unless there is overwhelming evidence to support it. Trayvon Martin probably did beat the crap out of Zimmerman but didn't deserve to be shot for doing it.

Peace and Guidance

[jah_yout]

So this case was all about race from the very beginning?

yes it was. but that opinion differs---largely on racial lines...many "whites" don't think it was about race, but many "blacks" do

[remo]

In my opinion I don't think this case was only about race as there are so many other layers. We can also talk about profiling and stereotyping. I read one black columnist who said his black wife was following him in their neighborhood because he was wearing a hoodie while jogging and she did not recognize him. She was suspicious till she was close enough to see it was him. Race is a factor but there are so many layers to peel away about this case.

Was she following him because he was black?...Did she call 911?..Did she attack and kill him?

[Xavier]

I feel deeply for the Martin family and this tragedy but, at the same time, I don't think there was enough evidence presented to convict Zimmerman. Only two people know the truth and one can't seem to tell the truth and the other is dead.

Disagree...There was enough evidence to convict him on manslaughter not second degree murder. I did not watch the daily proceedings but based on the news clips from the court room and the various news sources (I watch them all FOX, CNN and MNBC) the prosecution fumbled this miserably. Then at the last minute "manslaugher" was thrown in as an option. The jury asked for clarification on manslaughter on the day of the verdict. This was destined for a "not guilty" verdict...

Now the one think this verdict does was allow a conversation to start. I had one with my children on what it means to be a "black man" in America and always being viewed by some as a suspect.

[Blackstar*]

In my opinion I don't think this case was only about race as there are so many other layers. We can also talk about profiling and stereotyping. I read one black columnist who said his black wife was following him in their neighborhood because he was wearing a hoodie while jogging and she did not recognize him. She was suspicious till she was close enough to see it was him. Race is a factor but there are so many layers to peel away about this case.

That could be due to internalized racism though. Just like some of the cops in the Sean Bell shooting were black too.

[Tropicana]

Yes man is a whole lot different here
nat saying it perfect here but I have 3 sons an I dont have to worry sending them to the store at any time of night

Are you kidding me Remo...situation is no different here? Haven't you read the number of times Emperah has posted he has been hassled. I am stunned that you would not be concerned sending your sons out at night, especially since out where you are based has a reputation of being a very redneck part of Canada? Did you not see the videos I posted about the situation in Calgary.

I am VERY concerned when my son is out late at night. That is why I have always nagged him about getting home at a decent hour and leaving the Black hoodies at home when he goes out at night. I have reminded him about this AGAIN more than once in recent weeks. Get in at a decent hour, don't go out alone. Don't roam the streets. Leave the Black hoodie at home.

If I knew then what I know now, I would have opened all presents from cousins before letting my son see them. Jamaican cousins always seem to want to give the "coolest" looking clothes for birthday and Christmas presents. Hoodies, baggie shorts, basketball marinas Why do they have to give clothes that will make others judge my son as a punk. Mi should a did bun de Black hoodie when im cousin did gi' to im at age 15. It was too big for him but he wore it anyway and it became his favourite. I actually hid it when he went to university...for 3 years. Every time im did come home im did tun de house upside down looking for it and asking "Mommy have you seen my Black hoodie?". I finally gave it back to him. I have bought him hoodies in all colours gray,blue, red,Jamaica colours and white with black and red. Yet I usually see him in Black, red and a brown one he bought himself. His grandmother gave him an Old Navy card at Christmas and what did he buy? Another Black hoodie.

In Montreal, our young cousin got stopped and hassled by police? Why? He was going home from work, it was a cold night. He waited for the bus for a long time. When it was no where in sight and he was getting really cold, he decided to walk home because at least then he could keep warmer. He was stopped by police, hassled, asked to show ID, asked what he was doing around there, and asked what he was doing? Would they have hassled a White kid walking home from work....no way Jose.

Another kid in Montreal was stopped by police when he was driving a really nice car in the upscale area where he lived with his parents. He was hassled asked where did he get the car ....why did he have a French name

I could go on and on but it seems you do not want to face reality. Why are people in such denial and not just you Remo?

That is why when mi did fus com on yah and post about the realities of being Black in Canada, I got pounded and insulted by Toronto boardites who said nutten noh go so and Americans who INSISTED that things had improved SO much. Yes I will keep repeating that until someone apologizes.

[Tropicana]

Disagree...There was enough evidence to convict him on manslaughter not second degree murder. I did not watch the daily proceedings but based on the news clips from the court room and the various news sources (I watch them all FOX, CNN and MNBC) the prosecution fumbled this miserably. Then at the last minute "manslaugher" was thrown in as an option. The jury asked for clarification on manslaughter on the day of the verdict. This was destined for a "not guilty" verdict...

Now the one think this verdict does was allow a conversation to start. I had one with my children on what it means to be a "black man" in America and always being viewed by some as a suspect.

I agree. The prosecution was TERRIBLE!! Just HORRIBLE!!! They botched everything from the witnesses they put on to the cross examination. How can you as the prosecution put on witnesses that will give glowing testimonials about the defendant? What a set of jokers?

[remo]

Are you kidding me Remo...situation is no different here? Haven't you read the number of times Emperah has posted he has been hassled. I am stunned that you would not be concerned sending your sons out at night, especially since out where you are based has a reputation of being a very redneck part of Canada? Did you not see the videos I posted about the situation in Calgary.

Another kid in Montreal was stopped by police when he was driving a really nice car in the upscale area where he lived with his parents. He was hassled asked where did he get the car ....why did he have a French name

I could go on and on but it seems you do not want to face reality. Why are people in such denial and not just you Remo?

That is why when mi did fus com on yah and post about the realities of being Black in Canada, I got pounded and insulted by Toronto boardites who said nutten noh go so and Americans who INSISTED that things had improved SO much. Yes I will keep repeating that until someone apologizes.

Evidently you missed the part where I said it was not perfect here......And yes I am not scared to send my son to the corner store and the few instances that you are referencing again are why I said things are not perfect here