Grateful For Your Community?: What We Can Learn from the Death of Trayvon Martin

It's now all over the news: Young black male, Trayvon Martin, murdered in his Florida community by self appointed neighborhood watchman, George Zimmerman, who justified the shooting of unarmed Trayvon based on suspicion and self defense.

Trayvon was seventeen.

 

I have read numerous articles that quote Mr. Zimmerman in saying, "He looked like he was up to no good."

You can read on for hours across various media outlets about the developing case, but I was left asking many questions. Does your appearance determine whether or not you will be accepted and therefore grateful for your community? Is it realistic or even a smart move for minorities to "get comfortable" in diverse or ethnically different communities? If we were to associate a portrait of America's perception of 'suspicious' with a face, what would that face look like? What would that person be wearing? Where would that person come from? Am I viewed as "suspicious" when I wear a hooded sweatshirt to walk to my local grocery store?

Having a sense of community is important for most people, but what is an individual or family to do when perception literally relegates them to being 'suspicious' before they even unpack their belongings?

George Zimmerman was wrong but, due to the Florida legal system, his defense may ultimately be deemed sound and righteous under the law.

John Stuart Mill wrote, "The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant."

Mr. Zimmerman, an armed adult, took a boys life because he believed that boy was a personal threat.

I, for one, hope he is given the opportunity to think alone and quietly about his actions for many, many years.