By Josh Haywood
Writer
Words cannot possibly describe my fury over what happened to Trayvon Martin. The most depressing fact is that this happened over month ago and Zimmerman remains free, charged with no crime. Protests have erupted all over the nation calling for justice to be brought to the Martin family. This crime only illuminates the issue of racial profiling and injustice that exists in the county. If Trayvon had “fit” the profile of the neighborhood he would have never been noticed. As for racial injustice I know damn well if the roles had been reversed and the person who was killed would have been white that the courts would have had a field day throwing the book at the shooter.
Why hasn’t anything been done about the case? The Sanford police have done nothing and have offered little as to the progress of the investigation. Meanwhile, a grassroots movement has sprung up seeking to have Zimmerman arrested. The reason nothing has been done is due to Florida’s unique modification of the “castle doctrine” law, called the Stand Your Ground law, which allows citizens to use force, in this case a gun, to “prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another.” Under this law according to Zimmerman’s account of the incident, he was in the right.
I really doubt a grown man was beaten up so badly by a 17-year-old adolescent that he needed to shoot the child to save his own life. The worst thing about the case is that unless someone comes forward or other evidence is presented stating otherwise, Zimmerman will more than likely walk free. Zimmerman is the only one that really knows what happened that fateful February day. The only fact in the case is that Trayvon Miller is dead: resting in a casket full of family memories and crushed dreams. It’s just disturbing that justice might possibly never be served for this youth struck down in his prime.
Rest in peace, Trayvon.
One reply on “Martin murder warrants justice”
“Zimmerman is the only one that really knows what happened that fateful February day.”
“Words cannot possibly describe my fury over what happened to Trayvon Martin.”
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Which was what? What are you furious about, if nobody knows? Or did you say that to mean “Zimmerman is the only one who knows, except for myself and everyone who has decided to support Trayvon’s side?”
I don’t support either side. I just think it’s silly that we have people protesting even though, as you correctly stated, nobody else knows for sure at this time. Without the public knowing the facts, having a debate over Zimmerman’s allegations is nonsensical. The Stand your Ground law is rightfully being debated, however, and the one good thing that might come out of this is a reexamination of what actions are protected under this law. It looks like these types of laws without proper implementation have historically caused much more serious problems than in this case.
A couple of other points…
Zimmerman’s voting record identifies him as a Hispanic. Why, then do you identify him as White for the purposes of this case? If you need to ‘select’ his identity in order to plug this case into your argument, it is invalid.
Finally, you make a seventeen-year-old sound harmless. Not to brag, but when I was seventeen, I could have done some serious damage to someone Zimmerman’s age, size and shape. Not anymore, though– my physique has become increasingly pathetic as the years get busier. Furthermore, when you are in the middle of being assaulted, you are probably not sure if the assailant is intent on beating you to death, much less whether or not he has a concealed weapon.
Lots of injustice here, present on both sides. Ultimately, it is just an unfortunate loss of a life.
Rest in peace, Trayvon.