After the Zimmerman verdict

on
I could tell you how much I fear for my son's safety. I could tell you that in spite of the stellar efforts into his upbringing, and in spite of his strength of character, at a glance or on a dark rainy night, he would be perceived as dangerous. But I won't tell you anymore.

This post from an inner city school teacher about her student in a similar situation is much more powerful, and no matter how much I have sheltered my son  he is no different than Trayvon.

Comments

Happy Elf Mom (Christine) said…
Oh gosh no. Your kiddo wouldn't be wandering the 'hood at one in the morning. What is wrong with these families that they let their kid go and do that? They need a big smack, AFTER they lose their kid to someone who is actually responsible.

And the teacher doesn't bother to call CPS on the mom or the cops on the gunman, I am guessing. Eesh.

9:45 AM
Ahermitt said…
HAPPY, it was not 1am. It was 7:15 when Zimmerman called 911. So yes, my son could very well be walking to the store at that hour. My son is now turning 19 next week, and who am I to tell him he can't walk to the store (if one was open) at 1am?

The danger is very real, and regardless of the circumstances, the fact that Zimmerman got away causes me not to sleep at night because now some other yahoo will feel justified in repeating his actions.

2:45 PM
Ahermitt said…
Just realized you might have been talking about the teacher... it was 1pm in the day... full day-light. And I know this teachers story, we've been communicating for a while... this stuff happens often in that neighborhood. She'd never get off the phone.
2:46 PM
Tiffany said…
I hate that its 2013 and the need for this discussion is still present. I posted a video on my blog and YouTube page about my thoughts on the Martin case. The comments I have received prove again and again there is much work to do. I'm scared for my boys. I'm sad that their lives are not of any value to the larger society.
11:56 PM
Happy Elf Mom (Christine) said…
Yes. I was talking of the teacher. Thanks for correcting me that it was 1 pm and not am. I'm sorry. I guess I am so used to having a *reasonably safe* place to live that my mind jumped to the wrong conclusion. I thought I had read the story carefully but it was just so shocking that here, this child had a gun pulled on him and the class doesn't even really stop.



1:28 AM
Ahermitt said…
There was a similar conversation in my 12 grade Englsh class. A boy who we all kinda took care of because of a birth defect with hi arms informed us that he had hung around too long after school and was chased be a car load of whit kids screaming the n- word. We all shrugged it off. When it is part of everyday life, or at least common knowledge that it had happened to other kids, the class doesn't stop. Similarly, when my city started bussing in 1990 as our high schools had become segregated over time, in NY, my younger brother was stabbed. It got a 5 minute news story... Had he died, I may have gotten 10 minutes.

I realize it is hard to imagine, but kids grow numb to this stuff.
8:41 AM
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