Two Americas -- Where Racism Lives

http://www.solidarity-us.org/site/node/3967
Date Written:  2013-09-01
Publisher:  Against The Current
Year Published:  2013
Resource Type:  Article
Cx Number:  CX20075

The George Zimmerman case and racism.

Abstract: 
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Excerpt:

In case you thought we now live in a "colorblind country" where justice is equal and fair for all -- the view of the 5-4 Supreme Court majority that gutted the Voting Rights Act -- the Black and white responses to the murder of Trayvon Martin should put that delusion to rest.

His killer, George Zimmerman, racially profiled 17-year-old Martin, then claimed self-defense when Martin challenged him. The Florida jury, five white women and one Puerto Rican woman, acquitted him after discussion of race -- the central issue -- was excluded from the trial. It became Zimmerman's word against the dead teenager's short life. The trial centered on Martin, not Zimmerman’s stalking and point-blank shooting of an unarmed Black youth.

Only the Puerto Rican juror interviewed afterwards felt that Zimmerman "got away with murder." She said the prosecution had failed to provide evidence of "intent" to murder Martin. Since the victim is dead, and the cops let Zimmerman walk away from the crime, that's not a surprise.