Some Trayvon Martin thoughts. 1. The jury makes their decision in criminal trials by the framework of "reasonable doubt." I have never liked this because this provides too much flexibility in these important cases. I prefer it to be based on the "preponderance of the evidence" like in civil trials. 2. George Zimmerman was wrong to engage Martin and it does not feel right he faces no repercussions in this case, since no matter how you slice it, someone was killed. Maybe the charges were wrong, but taking matters in his own hand was what led to the altercation and eventual death of a seventeen year old. 3. Was this a racially motivated case? I suspect that was one of the factors, but also think their were others. It is hard to prove conclusively. However, having grown up in a predominantly African American neighborhood, most of us who are not black have no idea how overt or subtle racial profiling really is against others in the African American community. For Caucasians like me to state "race played no part" is really speaking in ignorance, about things we do not really understand. It is pointless to argue. We have not experienced the majority of our life in their shoes. Lastly, I have been in neighborhoods where their have been some scary looking people, white, black, Latino, Asian, you name it. In each situation I have found one phrase puts people at ease. "How are you doing?" We all profile to an extent and just showing respect for those who appear different makes people just feel more at ease. Though I was not there, I wonder if a simple phrase like that would have prevented this mess. In the end, my heart goes to the Marin family who have lost their son and some sort of even simple poetic justice.
Posted on: Tue, 16 Jul 2013 14:37:55 +0000
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