Trayvon Martin Case: The public reaction

        Most people are just hearing about the Trayvon Martin case. Everyone is getting involved, for example Will Smith and President Obama, just to name a few. Most of the truly dedicated to helping bring awareness to the case participate in the Hoodie March. Thousands have participated so far in the Hoodie March. Yet there are still some people that think Trayvon got what he deserved, (not true), or that it was all fake and it was just a Skittle commercial. I know what you're thinking but some people are just dumb enough to think that national news was just a ploy. Why would they think that it's just a made up story to sell Skittles. 
       President Obama was stated that if he had a son that he would have looked like Trayvon Martin and that it could have potentially have been his son that was shot done for wearing a hoodie. Many people have criticized Obama for saying that but it's true. Will Smith also stated that we live in America were the girl who throw flour on Kim Kardashin was arrested on the spot and the man who killed Trayvon is still walking around free.  I personally want to see George Zimmerman go to jail and stay there for a very very very long time. 


       There are also the people that are saying it was the hoodie itself that caused Trayvon's death. Clothing has nothing to do with it. Hoodies don't cause murder like mini skirts don't cause rape. People that are on the side of George Zimmerman are trying to make up as many excuses that are possible to get him to look innocent. 

        Like it or not every person is effected by Trayvon Martin. Whether they knew him personally, if they think that he was the one in the wrong, if they are one of the many that went out on marches and protests to rise awareness, every person knows about this case. There are also some people that are saying that, that could be the next Trayvon. Because of the stereotype no one is truly safe from the people like George Zimmerman. 

Trayvon Martin

                 Trayvon Martin. Most have heard of that name before. But in case you’re like me who doesn't really listen to the news that much, Trayvon Martin was a 17 year old teenager that was walking back to the condo he was staying at, coming from the store after buying an ice tea and a bag of Skittles for his younger brother.  That’s when George Zimmerman shot and killed Trayvon for being “suspicious”, and walking in the rain looking around, apparently that accounts for something being suspicious. Zimmerman later stated when police arrived on the scene that he shot Trayvon out of self defense. Why did Zimmerman need to use self defense? He is a 28 year old 250 pound grown adult with a gun going against a 17 year old 140 pound unarmed kid. Zimmerman could have easily won that fight if he really had to.

                 Trayvon did not have a criminal record but Zimmerman was charged with resitting arrest with assault and battery in 2005 but the charges were later dropped. The neighbors went on to say that Zimmerman is fixated on crime and tends to target young black males. And has called the cops on suspicious behavior 46 times since January 1, 2011. One neighbor told the public that one of the police officers "corrected" her when she said that she heard the young teen shout for help, by saying that it was in fact Zimmerman was the one who was screaming for help right before he shot Trayvon. Which is completely not what the witness heard. This is the same officer that initially failed to arrest a lieutenant's son who was videotaped attacking a homeless black man.  

                Before the 911 audio tape came out Zimmerman’s father went on the record saying that he never confronted the victim. But that was later proved wrong when the tape came out and Zimmerman was documented saying that he was following Martin and that he did get out of his car and continue to follow him even after he was told not too by the 911 operator. In the 911 recordings you can hear Trayvon yelling for help as Zimmerman chased him. If you’re in the neighborhood watch and someone is running away from you yelling help, usually they are not the ones that are causing the problems. If Trayvon had a weapon I’m 100% he would have pulled it out and used it on Zimmerman because I’m sure that Trayvon felt that his life had been threatened, why else would he had been yelling for help.

                As of right now Zimmerman has not been charged with a crime, police say that there is not enough evidence to charge Zimmerman with the murder of Trayvon Martin.   

The end to the "R Word"

                The “R-word”, most have used it and openly admit that they use it, while others know that it’s wrong but they still use it and hide the fact that they do in fact use it. I will not be one of those people living in denial. I admit that I have been known to say the “R word” and I know that it’s wrong but I never really grasped the concept that they understand what it means and that it hurts their feelings when they hear people saying derogatory things that were once used to define them, but are now being used to insult others. It has always been a bad habit of mine to use that word and not think of who I’m affecting around me.

                 I have always had the mindset that mentally disabled people don’t get what’s going on and get in the way a lot. Like they are good at just certain things and nothing else. Was I wrong or what! This past weekend I was working on my service hours for school and there also volunteering was a person who has adopted 3 mentally disabled kids.  At first I didn’t notice (because I tend to be slow at those types of things,) but when I did at first I was freaking out. Why do they have knives? Are you sure that they can handle that? And so on. And the answer to all those questions is yes. They can do whatever we can do, and in some cases they can do it better.  Those hours spent there were some of the best ones I have spent in a long time. They were so care free and happy and always laughing. Not “stupid”, “slow”, or anything in between that we tend to associate them with.

                And with volunteering there with them I had to make sure that I wouldn’t slip up and accidentally say something derogatory. There’s also the issue of having the habit of throwing it around in public because for most it is a horrible habit. You never know who is out there. Maybe someone is mentally disabled or someone is related or close friends with a mentally disabled person. The offense slur hurts more than just the people you’re directing the “joke” to; it can hurt a lot of other people.

                After spending those hours with them I can now truly see what mentally disabled people are actually like. They are not stupid or slow and they do deserve to be out in public just like everyone else. I am now truly starting to see what the “R Word” actually does to people and I want to do my best to help end it.