We're really swimming in it now.

[bigtree]

127. what I think

In our assessments of this incident there seems to me to have been a suspension of their suspension of disbelief for many black Americans that we had turned some significant corner in our relationships with white Americans. What I think we've found is that there are still negative perceptions and assumptions about our black community which have not been ameliorated by all of the positive successes, accomplishments, and contributions of African Americans in this country; clearly evident and acknowledged by most of us in the black community.

Further aggravating those racial relationships are police and justice systems around the nation which have not been as responsive and proactive as they could about addressing the inequities in the administration of justice and the outright abuses in the system toward black individuals and the communities as well.

This incident with Trayvon and Zimmerman has brought that angst and concern into focus for our community and there's a sense that we can resolve or address some of the injustices we face -- which are remarkably similar to this incident and to the system's response -- by demanding a more thorough investigation and disposition of this incident than the baffling course this case has taken so far.

I'm certain that there won't be that separation and solitary focus on this Davis case that you want -- apart from the debates on all of these issues of race, culture, and attitudes -- because these issues of use of force, profiling, and overall justice for black defendants and victims, have been festering and multiplying in the decades leading up to this event.

At the root of this incident and the concerns raised around it is the issue of accountability -- for the courts; for the police dept.; for the defendant; for legislators who are responsible for these 'stand your ground' laws. If this tragedy is to have any significant meaning, it will come from the activism surrounding it which challenges the system; challenges our perceptions of each other; and challenges these absurd gun laws.