This post has been updated.

Emmett Till July 25, 1941 – August 28, 1955
Emmett Till
July 25, 1941 – August 28, 1955

The next generation.

Trayvon Martin February 5, 1995 – February 26, 2012
Trayvon Martin
February 5, 1995 – February 26, 2012

For some reason I thought I posted this message. But now it’s been a few days, and has given me time to think a bit, though still shaken. Below are some quotes I collected during my more anxious moments. The one that is sticking with me now is in the 2nd quote: “Trayvon was a victim of Florida’s bad laws.” Florida was the first to pass a “justifiable homicide” or Stand Your Ground law. Some version of it is in 30 other states (Washington Post). This needs to be addressed in addition to what’s expressed below.

In the state of Florida, the season on African-Americans now runs year round. Come one, come all. And bring a handgun. The legislators are fine with this blood on their hands. The governor, too. One man accosted another and when it became a fist fight, one man — and one man only — had a firearm. The rest is racial rationalization and dishonorable commentary.

– David Simon, producer/writer (read the complete post)

Trayvon Martin wasn’t just a victim of a trigger-happy George Zimmerman. Trayvon was a victim of Florida’s bad laws. He was a victim of a society that criminalizes dark skin, criminalizes poverty, and criminalizes youth.

– Taquiena Boston, Director, Multicultural Growth & Witness
Unitarian Universalist Association
(read the complete post)

It is the Zimmerman mindset that must be found guilty–far more than the man himself. It is a mindset that views black men and boys as nothing but a threat, good for nothing, up to no good no matter who they are or what they are doing. It is the Zimmerman mindset that has birthed a penal system unprecedented in world history, and relegated millions to a permanent undercaste.

– Michelle Alexander, The New Jim Crow

Much is made of the fact that the jury was following the law. “Legally” is normally a positive word. But when it refers to a bad law that inevitably will result in injustices if used in courtroom defenses, we should put it in quotes.

– Women’s National Democartic Club blog

NAACP petition to the Department of Justice. Here’s the link.

Marissa Alexander

Marissa Alexander, an African American woman who “stood her ground” by firing a warning shot at her physically abusive husband (and got 20 years in prison for that) should GO SCOTT FREE!!!
– me