April 6 2012

Considering that I'm just like everyone else who isn't involved with the investigation, all I know about the circumstances surrounding the death of Trayvon Martin is what I've heard on T.V. And that is that someone (George Zimmerman), who was recognised by the gated community as being a watch captain, shot and killed a teenage boy (Trayvon Martin) because Zimmerman was in fear for his life.

Given his position in the community, I think it is reasonable to assume that Zimmerman was being diligent and identified a person (Martin) he didn't recognise, who stood out because he was walking in the rain in no particular hurry. With the limited facts I have, I've been able to determine that there was a scuffle (also witnessed by a resident) that left evidence of such on Zimmermans body. i.e. wounds and grass stains.

Not knowing Zimmerman personally, I have no clue as to his threshold to pain or of his flight instincts, and as such am in no position to judge what he considers imminent danger. All I can sympahise with is that if someone taller than me is on top of me pounding away, I might feel my life is in danger.

I've heard some say that Zimmerman was the pursuer. My thinking is that if he is the pursuer, he could at least justify it by virtue of his position in the community. But what if he was only watching Martin and not pursuing him? My thinking is that would surely fall within his remit as a Watch Captain.

Given the information I have regarding Trayvon Martin's death, I have failed to come to the conclusion that he reached his fate because he was black, or that George Zimmerman acted because Trayvon is black. But that hasn't stopped some from playing the ubiqutious race card for some political advantage.

When will I be able to stop being sorry for being a White. This may come as a suprise to some but, I have been profiled by the police and they have acted as a result of the profile, while being white.  I have been discriminated against in the U.S. while being white. But somehow when I am confronted with these wrongs, I just have to take my lumps and move on.

As a White American, this is what I see in Black America,
World wide dominance in Pop Culture, The Highest paid atheletes in the World, The holder of the Highest Political Office in America, Top judicial position holders, Chiefs of Police and Mayors, Top Corporate executives, etc....

My question is what has White America prevented Black America from becoming. Because if anything, from where I'm looking, Black America has over achieved in this country.

As a White American, I'm not given preferential treatment. I have to slug it out with everyone else for a seat at the dinner table.