President?s remarks on Zimmerman case well-intentioned, but harmful to race relations - GUEST OPINION
When President Obama decided to reflect on the Zimmerman-Martin case, he might have
meant well but, unfortunately, he caused severe damage to race relations in the U.S.
But before we examine the President's remarks, let us cite a few points that most people can agree on:
?The parents of Trayvon Martin suffered the unimaginable nightmare.? Nothing can be said or
??? written to ease their pain.
?George Zimmerman should have followed the instructions of the 911 operator and not
??? followed Trayvon Martin.? If only?
?It is understandable, given the history of racism in the legal system, particularly in the South,
??? that African-Americans would view the verdict as another indication of bigotry and prejudice.??
These facts notwithstanding, there was little evidence that the Zimmerman-Martin case fits the mold of other biased cases which justifiably angered the black community.? Even the prosecution stated in court that this was not a case about race. Continued...
First, in the 911 call, Zimmerman never volunteered that the man he saw was black.? Only when asked to describe the man did Zimmerman say he "looks" black, still indicating some doubt.? Zimmerman has sued NBC for news stories that omitted the fact that he was asked to describe the individual.
Second, no one ? no one ? knows what happened when the two met.? We know there was
a confrontation from of the injuries suffered by Zimmerman but we don't know how these occurred.? When the two fell to the ground, we don't know who was on top because accounts of witnesses varied.
Third, we don't know who is calling for help on the 911 call because, again, some identified the voice as that of Zimmerman and others of Martin.
Many have maintained that Zimmerman would never have followed Trayvon Martin had he been white.? That, of course, is speculation, understandable speculation given the black community's historic experience with the law, but speculation nevertheless.
These are just a few key facts; there were many others but in the end they add up to "reasonable doubt."
Much has been made of Florida's Stand Your Ground law, but that law was not raised by the defense as an issue and, moreover, as two black leaders who were critical of the verdict said on? NBC's? "Meet the Press," more blacks have used the law in Florida and similar laws in other states as a defense than whites.
Now, to the President.? The case, regrettably, has created a severe racial divide ? not something we needed ? and President Obama's remarks did little to bring us together.? He could have helped to heal racial wounds; instead he infected them before the verdict when he said Trayvon could have been his son, and after the verdict when he offered that Trayvon could have been him 35 years ago.
When we needed leadership the most, the President failed the country.? He could have made many of his points about the understandable reasons for the views of the African-American community, and that we need to examine Stand Your Ground laws, without the negative racial implications.? His attorney general, Eric H. Holder, Jr. also has been of little help, stoking the racial fires before ongoing investigations are even completed.
Nothing here suggests that we should not proceed with investigations ? civil or criminal ? if authorities believe they are justified. Continued...
Meanwhile, we need the President, other national leaders, including non-elected black and white leaders, to work in bringing the country together rather than tear it apart.
We have made substantial progress in race relations. It would be a shame to turn the clock back.? Regrettably, with this case, we appear to have taken some painful steps backward, steps we can ill-afford.
Berl Falbaum is a veteran West Bloomfield journalist and author and teaches news writing and media ethics at Wayne State University.
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Source: http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2013/07/30/opinion/doc51f7c7d611bf4874272535.txt
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