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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWhy is America still so ignorant about racism? Read this quote from a neighbor of George Zimmerman.
A tweet (twitlonger) I'd like to share with you:
"I'm tired of hearing about this race thing," George Hall said. "It could be an element in it ... but I never would have thought of him as being a racist. His father was in the Army and was a white American and his mother was Peruvian. That makes him 50 percent Peruvian. A lot of stuff I hear, it irks me because people are drawing their own conclusions with very little evidence."
I've heard very similar expressions from media pundits and Republican politicians. It's not about race, they say. How could it be about race if Zimmerman is half-Latino?
My response: Zimmerman's race is largely irrelevant; the bottom line is that he PROFILED Trayvon because he was black. If Trayvon was a white kid walking home from the store in the suburbs there is a 99% chance he wouldn't have perceived him as "suspicious." Guess how many white kids where hoodies? Just as many as black kids. This has nothing to do with hoodies; it has everything to do with racial profiling.
How else is this about race? If an African-American man shot an unarmed 17-year-old white kid, he would be arrested within an hour. Does anyone doubt this?
But here's the important part: the Trayvon Martin case doesn't arise out of a vacuum. Hundreds of thousands of black men are unjustly profiled, unjustly arrested, unjustly convicted, unjustly imprisoned every year. Pundits want to deflect this reality by shifting the conversation to "black-on-black" violence, but these are different issues. This is a red herring that allows white America to push away its guilt and pretend that we live in a post-racist society. We don't.
The Trayvon Martin case is first and foremost about justice for a young man who was gunned down for no reason. He didn't deserve to die and the least that can be done for his grieving family is to arrest the man who killed him.
Secondarily, it should facilitate what President Obama called for: an honest, serious reflection on the context, the broader picture in which this case is but one example.
This issue IS about race. That may be uncomfortable to some, but it's better to be uncomfortable than dead.
LINK:
http://www.twitlonger.com/show/gmctd2
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CBGLuthier
(12,723 posts)white people do not have a monopoly on skin color racism.
One time I was at the grocery store and the cashier was talking in spanish to the lady in front of me and I thought how nice it was for them to have bilingual employees.
Then an elderly vietnamese man tried to ask him something with his limited english skills. After a few minutes of not communicating the vietnamese man walked off. That's when the cashier started making those "ching chong" sounds that racists and Rosie O'Donnell use to indicate their disdain for asians.
They sound even more lovely with a spanish accent.
hedgehog
(36,286 posts)in Spanish
Aerows
(39,961 posts)I was at the gas station and I went in to get a coffee. I walked in on the black clerk and a Hispanic customer slinging EPIC racial pejoratives at each other. The N word, the S word, and probably a few more that I don't want to remember. It was so volatile of a situation, that I decided I didn't need coffee that bad and just paid at the pump.
So no, it most certainly isn't just limited to white vs. black or anybody vs. anybody. And since I'm a lesbian, I will also point out that I am familiar with bigotry against the LGBT community, and bigotry there is no prettier. I doubt there is a single gay person in the United States that doesn't know someone personally, or has witnessed someone they don't know beaten up for being gay. It doesn't happen to lesbians as often, but gay men and transgender individuals suffer from bashings all of the time.
abelenkpe
(9,933 posts)Several of my east coast family members use racial epithets, pass along racist jokes, and are fond of saying stereotypical bigoted remarks. (Oddly they don't understand why I don't visit them with my young children) My relatives will all claim to not be racists. But when one is judge, jury and executioner of another based on those same bigoted stereotypes they don't get to say they aren't a racist! Zimmerman is a racist. His racism made him a murderer. And so what if Zimmerman is half Latino? I don't see the Latino community jumping to defend him. I do however see the same white pundits fond of questioning the presidents birthplace defending Zimmerman. Coincidence? I think not.
nobodyspecial
(2,286 posts)Minorities are not a monolithic identity. There is often a lot of animosity between Hispanics and African-Americans in many communities.
ProfessionalLeftist
(4,982 posts)And they could not STAND black people.
Aerows
(39,961 posts)I thought they were going to leap over the counter at each other and brawl.
uponit7771
(93,532 posts)
cyglet
(529 posts)is that it's culturally imposed. He might well be multi-cultural, but grew up here, in a military family, where law and order and discipline is key. It's cultural to be suspicious of black people (that doesn't make it right, mind you), and socially acceptable to assume people are going to do something wrong before they actually do it (does not excuse firing at someone).
And, yes, white people don't corner the market on racism, sexism, or anything else.
it's part of the white culture to be suspicious of black people.
It is not now, nor has ever been a part of my culture.
robinlynne
(15,481 posts)
NOLALady
(4,003 posts)Black American.
cyglet
(529 posts)because the gangsta/hip hop genre can hurt instead of help (I know, not everyone is into that). So that can contribute to the suspicion.
NOLALady
(4,003 posts)Black families back here. One of them is really a mixed couple.
All of the kids my children grew up with were/are non Black. Those brats were just as much into the gangsta/hip hop crap as any inner city kid when they were teens. I guess they thought it was cool. They are all grown up now. Some are in the military, some in college, while others have started their families. Thank goodness no one thought they were suspicious looking when they wore their hoodies. But, then again, they are not black.
But, I had to constantly warn my kids, to be careful. I told them they didn't have the luxury of going to wild parties, drinking or driving just a little too fast. They needed to know that if their friends got into any kind of trouble, their lives would not be ruined or taken. My kids would not be treated the same as their peers.
When I look at Trayvon's face, I do not feel suspicion or fear. He looks like my son before he joined the military, lanky.
but most people, that's what they see on TV etc.
NOLALady
(4,003 posts)when I was a teen, about 15. There was no gangsta hip/hop culture. We dressed and acted like Walt Disney kids. It didn't stop police from profiling us. We saw the ice cream truck and ran to catch up with him before he left the neighborhood. Maybe a half dozen girls, one boy. I remember clear as day, "Why were you chasing the ice cream truck?"
Uh, to buy an ice cream cone. We were verbally abused and the one boy was detained. Some of the girls began to cry and ran for home. A couple of us stayed as we were worried about what they might do to the boy. Finally, they released him. He was very quiet. He didn't tell us what transpired. He was obviously scared to death. That was only the second experience.
TV portrayed the police as Officer Friendly. But, I saw them with dogs and hoses attacking children.
We were deathly afraid to walk near certain neighborhoods. Our fear and suspicions had more to do with Emment Till than TV. Our fears and suspicions were based on realty.
JMHO
Number23
(24,544 posts)Perfectly said. And heartbreaking in its simple truth.
Our fears and suspicions were based on realty.
You got that right.
It seems as if so many fears of the majority culture are based on smokescreens. The "myth" of the predatory black man, feverishly hunting vulnerable white women and abusing white families. And yet, as it has been proven over and over and over again, white people have more to fear FROM EACH OTHER (as do blacks and every other ethnicity) than anyone else.
Number23
(24,544 posts)only after the creation of hip hop?
Of course it did.
I'm suggesting it may aggravate things, and create more stereotypes.
I can't pretend to know what it's like to have a different skin shade. There are too many people stuck in systemic poverty just because of skin pigment. That's bad enough. To always be under suspicion by everyone is worse.
Number23
(24,544 posts)In what way? And for whom?
cyglet
(529 posts)the misogyny and "gangsta" in the lyrics doesn't lend to the cause much. I haven't spent much time looking at hip hop lyrics, though, so....
Number23
(24,544 posts)I am also a black woman. And the idea that anyone would consider profiling to be appropriate or even "aggravated/exacerbated" by hip hop music and culture is astounding to me.
Should Timothy McVeigh's actions have "aggravated" any type of behavior against whites? What about Ted Bundy? David Koresh? Jim Jones? Paris Hilton? George W Bush? Or what about white frat behavior at universities? The executives on Wall Street? The documented promiscuity of professional cheerleaders (most of whom are white)?
Why should all blacks be held to a certain standard because of hip hop music?
Downtown Hound
(12,618 posts)Unfortunately, that's just not true.
GopperStopper2680
(397 posts)But that doesn't mean it's any less true. And usually the more uncomfortable the truth is the more urgently it needs to be dealt with. Picture going to your doctor and hearing her tell you "You have cancer". Not anything that anyone wants to hear. You can do one of generally two things about it. Either ask her what needs to be done, NOW, and perhaps stop it before it becomes too late, or continue to disbelieve the problem. This might lead to 'second opinions', more tests, etc. Which eventually cost you more time and money and might cost you your life. In this case we're in the 'more tests' outcome. The picture to me is pretty clear. Zimmerman is guilty of racial profiling and murder.
And as to Zimmerman's race, I expect he probably ignores the Peruvian half of his heritage in favor of calling himself 'white'. It's not uncommon. I know a guy that's part white, part black, part who knows what, and he calls himself what ever he wants to when he feels like it. And he's extremely racist against blacks even though he's part black himself.
BlueIris
(29,135 posts)Especially after reading two books on the topic this past year ("Can We Talk About Race" and "The Age of Austerity."
Racism is still such a part of this country, and so many seem totally oblivious to how pervasive it is.
NOLALady
(4,003 posts)from South America. You would not believe the ignorant racist crap that comes from her mouth. It hasn't hit her yet that her daughter will be considered as a Black in this country.
We haven't visited them in years. I am afraid to be around her. I know that if/when I confront her, it will not be pretty.
BlueIris
(29,135 posts)I can't imagine hearing offensive sentiments from my own family.
Aerows
(39,961 posts)My aunt had the nerve to make comments about my white sister raising her children, as though she was "harming them" because they are from a different country and are Asian. It's truly disgusting when it happens in your own family, but most of the time, you know who the raging bigots in your own family are, so you plan accordingly.
The last time I ever spent time around them was at a restaurant and for the sake of the family peace, I held my tongue as she and my uncle proceeded to run down gay people as though they were the scourge of the Earth. That was wonderful considering that I was 19 and confronting my own coming out.
Needless to say, I avoid them like the plague and wouldn't dare go to a function where I know they will be unless I know 100% for a fact that I can get up and leave.
butterfly77
(17,609 posts)every since Obama became President. When I look at Fox or when talking heads on Fox are called on their racism they fake their outrage as though it is unbelieveable that they would be called a racist,when they prove it every day.
Zimmerman protectors don't give a damn about Trayvon being stalked and murdered,they are more worried about being called racist. When talking to Joe Oliver his main point is Zimmerman is not a racist.
If he is or isn't doesn't really matter except for the case and how it is tried in court but, the main thing that is so outrageous with all of his defenders who keep shouting about innocent until proven guilty is. They know he murdered Trayvon and they don't give a damn.
They know he has not been arrested and they don't give a damn. They know that if the murdered boy was white they would be screaming like hell for an arrest, hypocritical,racist,assholes. I hope you don't like my post.
sendero
(28,552 posts)....frenetic and frankly laughable attempts to negate the idea that he is a racist have one simple motivation.
As long as the Feds don't get involved, they might just finesse this thing. Once it becomes a civil rights issue Zimm is TOAST and he's probably not smart enough to get it but his "handlers" do.
They are going to do everything possible to keep race out of this.
ieoeja
(9,748 posts)I was sitting at a table with my wife and her girlfriend when he came up and started hitting on my wife. Seeing a Black man shooting pool he started off on a virulent racist rant which confused the heck out of us. When we pointed out that *he* was Black, he kept insisting that he was not because he was Puerto Rican.
He got more than a bit uncomfortable when the Black man came over and locked lips with my wife's girlfriend. As we laughed at him, my ex-wife let the other shoe drop: she is half Black and self identifies as Black.
Hispanics always mistook her for being Hispanic. And Asians always mistook her for being Asian.
Honeycombe8
(37,648 posts)It sounds, in the 911 call, tht GZ isn't sure of the race of the guy he called about. He didn't call to report a black person. When the cop asks if the guy is black or hispanic, GZ says haltingly that the guy is black, and then describes the clothing, but he doesn't sound so sure. He's mainly concerned with the hoodie and the way the guy is walking/acting, which GZ thinks is like he's on drugs.
It's only when Trayvon approaches GZ and confronts him, that GZ tells the 911 cop that the guy is approaching him with something in his hand, and he matter of factly describes him as a "black male," and then describes his clothing including shoes more specifically.
It is also not a definite given that if GZ were black, that he would have been arrested.
Statements like these are meant to inflame, and are passionate, but are not factual and do not necessarily reflect reality. No one knows for sure, yet, exactly all that went on.
At first, people were passionately angry that GZ had attacked Trayvon Martin, and we now know that it is at least probable, if not likely, that Trayvon confronted GZ in a hostile way. And GZ, noticing that Trayvon had something in his hand, may have thought Trayvon was armed. Maybe. Maybe not.
I'm waiting for the ALL the facts.
Celebrities are using this incident to get on TV shows and get their names in the news. Be wary of people who talk like they know the facts, when the facts are not known yet. The FBI and the DOJ are investigating. I think they are experienced enough to conduct a thorough investigation. And be ESPECIALLY wary of "witnesses" who are popping up on TV shows, saying they saw this and heard that. If they did, and if what they care about is justice, they'll be talking to the investigators and no one else.
uppityperson
(116,017 posts)ignore this (read the link). Why "it is at least probable, if not likely, that Trayvon confronted GZ in a hostile way"? What "facts" do you have to support this? Funny how you then go on to muse that Z thought those skittles were a weapon.
Since Z was stalking Trayvon, didn't Trayvon have a right to "stand his ground"? Or does following someone not meet that "stand your ground" crap? Z stalked Trayvon. T was concerned about it, per his phone conversation with his girlfriend. Z was told to not stalk him. Z stalked him. At what point can Trayvon defend himself against a stranger stalking him? At what point can the stalker then say "oh, I was scared for my life"?
http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/03/17/v-fullstory/2700249/shooter-of-trayvon-martin-a-habitual.html
[Licensed to carry a firearm and a student of criminal justice, Zimmerman went door-to-door asking residents to be on the lookout, specifically referring to young black men who appeared to be outsiders, and warned that some were caught lurking, neighbors said. The self-appointed captain of the neighborhood watch program is credited with cracking some crimes, and thwarting others.nk=cpy
Honeycombe8
(37,648 posts)One is available for hearing, now, sinceit's a 911 call by GZ. The other is related by Trayvon's girlfriend, where he calls to say someone is following him, then you hear him walking or breathing fast, then asking "Why are you following me?" which jives with GZ's 911 call.
I'm not saying that Trayvon didn't have a right to confront hte guy following him. What I'm saying is....at first, so many posters ASSUMED that GZ chased down, then shot Trayvon. Later, it was revealed, through evidence, that that is not what happened at all.
But posters have disregarded that entirely...that they were WRONG in their assumptions. And so it may be with other assumptions.
There have been no, "Oh, oops, I was wrong about my assumptions. Oops...he's not "white." Oops...he didn't chase down and coldly shoot Trayvon. Oops...he wasn't the one to confront Trayvon."
That's what I'm saying. Over and over, people have been WRONG in their assumptions. Another example: a poster posted here "Video of GZ shows not even one scratch on him!" No, "Oops, I was wrong about that," when a clearer video shows injury to the back of GZ's head. Not a large injury, but clearly a wide, deep cut that is red. Consistent with the policeman's statement about cut to back of head.
See? The facts that are coming out are different from many people's ASSUMPTIONS. Yet, it has occurred to no one to think that maybe they should wait for the results of the investigation, that they are letting their prejudices guide their judgment.
uppityperson
(116,017 posts)What "facts" do you have to back up YOUR assumptions? That Z did not chase down T? That Z did not confront T? That Z did not shoot T? That Z is not "white"? What "clearer video shows injury to the back of GZ's head"? Post that picture or video.
You keep posting your assumptions and false "facts" over and over. I do agree that "are letting their prejudices guide their judgment"
Z is part Peruvian, could qualify as Hispanic but he still is white. Perhaps you missed that a person can be black hispanic or white hispanic or something else.
Son of Gob
(1,502 posts)Interesting that you ignore the FACT. You're probably of the opinion he said 'fucking goon', aren't you?
sendero
(28,552 posts)... that "goon" is a term of endearment.
Honeycombe8
(37,648 posts)what I'm saying is that what any one of us think about that IS NOT DEFINITIVE. The FBI will surely be able to clarify the tape and make what he says more discernible.
See? that is called "waiting for the evidence" and not jumping to conclusions. I'm not saying he did NOT say "coon." What I'm saying is that, as a factual matter, it's not clear, and some people think he says coon, others think he says goon. AND that the tape can probably be clarified by teh FBI, who is pretty good at that sort of thing, and that we'll find out definitively eventually. It's not what I think that matters, or what YOU think that matters.
What matters is the truth. Many don't seem to care about the truth or the facts. They want things to be a certain way, so that's what they see and hear. That's why we have a justice system, so the facts can be presented in a calm setting, and 12 people can discuss, review the evidence, and hopefully go over the case in serious deliberations, based on evidence.
Number23
(24,544 posts)nadinbrzezinski
(154,021 posts)often, like every election...
Forgot the necessary 
There is racism south of the border as well, and negrito can be a term of endearment, or a racial term.
Jaysus some of the quite openly racist statements I have heard in Mexico City regarding Obama would curl some tongues.
Iggo
(49,913 posts)...shot, and killed because he was black.