By Dana Arevalo,
P.O.V. Contributing Writer
Brief
Where are we at with the Martin Zimmerman case? Many leaders are pleading with the public and lawmakers to change the "Stand Your Ground" rules in fear that Mr. Zimmerman is going to get away with murder. Many other are asking, "Will he get a fair trial?"
I am outraged where the Zimmerman Martin case has taken society. The case from the beginning screamed racism. People are wondering how and why something as such could take place. It is extremely apparent that individuals are taking sides solely based upon race; it wouldn't be so controversial otherwise. From the start, I have looked at the case from the standpoint of a parent. Is my view correct? No, not quite.
Is A Picture Worth 1,000 words?
They say a picture is worth 1,000 words. Pictures of Treyvon and Zimmerman are bold in my mind, as the news kept flashing them, and, completely taking race out of the equation, it was a clear act of power. Mr. Martin a young powerless boy versus Mr. Zimmerman a large-statured older man with a powerful weapon, a gun. While my initial thoughts very well may be the truth, it wasn't such a good approach because there is so much more to consider. I am being told, the pictures of Treyvon are allegedly from grade-school. There is also so much hearsay and speculation surrounding this case: Mr. Zimmerman's initial injuries, Treyvon's behavior in school, Mr. Zimmerman's prior arrest history, so on and so forth.
In general, we are taught self-defense, especially when we feel our life is being threatened. The question in here lies, whose life was threatened that night? Should this case even be considered self-defense? The media pulls in the audience by highlighting words such as race, armed, unarmed, teen, young gentlemen, youth, prove, death, etc. Furthermore, could the violence have been avoided? There are two sides to every story and then there is the truth. Unfortunately, we will never get to hear Mr. Martin's side.
Vigilante Justice
One might also want to consider whether or not they support vigilante justice. I am divided on this issue, as well. I do not condone violence, unless it is warranted. At times, it is clearly warranted, especially when one’s life is in danger. I, however, in no way support "civilians" carrying weapons. If a civilian wants to have a gun in their household, legally registered behind lock and key, that is their business, as they are protecting their family and their property. I am absolutely turned off, however, by citizens walking the streets carrying weapons, claiming to be self-proclaimed neighborhood watchmen, it all points to something bad waiting to happen. Most carrying these guns have never been to the shooting range nor properly know how to handle violent situations. They often have good intentions, but lacking the knowledge how to handle dangerous situations often leads to death. Leave these encounters up to the professionals.
Stand Your Ground
Now many are debating over whether the National Riffles Association (NRA) stand your ground law will affect the entire case. In some cases, these laws protect the shooters in the support that they "justifiably" acted in pulling the trigger regardless whether or not the victim died. What makes people so divided on the "Stand Your Ground" laws are that they vary state-by-state. I personally remember going to the shooting range in Florida; I loved it, however, the entire time I was in the state, I felt nervous and uneasy due to the fact that it was normal for civilians to walk around carrying guns like cell phones. The Stand Your Ground laws in Florida, allow one to utilize a weapon and pull the trigger without hesitation or "police" back-up if they have a "reasonable" fear of death. In this case, I feel the justifiable and reasonable fear will never be proven, as one cannot deliver their story.
Open to You
What are your thoughts on this case? Is vigilante justice warranted? Please share.
Where are we at with the Martin Zimmerman case? Many leaders are pleading with the public and lawmakers to change the "Stand Your Ground" rules in fear that Mr. Zimmerman is going to get away with murder. Many other are asking, "Will he get a fair trial?"
I am outraged where the Zimmerman Martin case has taken society. The case from the beginning screamed racism. People are wondering how and why something as such could take place. It is extremely apparent that individuals are taking sides solely based upon race; it wouldn't be so controversial otherwise. From the start, I have looked at the case from the standpoint of a parent. Is my view correct? No, not quite.
Is A Picture Worth 1,000 words?
They say a picture is worth 1,000 words. Pictures of Treyvon and Zimmerman are bold in my mind, as the news kept flashing them, and, completely taking race out of the equation, it was a clear act of power. Mr. Martin a young powerless boy versus Mr. Zimmerman a large-statured older man with a powerful weapon, a gun. While my initial thoughts very well may be the truth, it wasn't such a good approach because there is so much more to consider. I am being told, the pictures of Treyvon are allegedly from grade-school. There is also so much hearsay and speculation surrounding this case: Mr. Zimmerman's initial injuries, Treyvon's behavior in school, Mr. Zimmerman's prior arrest history, so on and so forth.
In general, we are taught self-defense, especially when we feel our life is being threatened. The question in here lies, whose life was threatened that night? Should this case even be considered self-defense? The media pulls in the audience by highlighting words such as race, armed, unarmed, teen, young gentlemen, youth, prove, death, etc. Furthermore, could the violence have been avoided? There are two sides to every story and then there is the truth. Unfortunately, we will never get to hear Mr. Martin's side.
Vigilante Justice
One might also want to consider whether or not they support vigilante justice. I am divided on this issue, as well. I do not condone violence, unless it is warranted. At times, it is clearly warranted, especially when one’s life is in danger. I, however, in no way support "civilians" carrying weapons. If a civilian wants to have a gun in their household, legally registered behind lock and key, that is their business, as they are protecting their family and their property. I am absolutely turned off, however, by citizens walking the streets carrying weapons, claiming to be self-proclaimed neighborhood watchmen, it all points to something bad waiting to happen. Most carrying these guns have never been to the shooting range nor properly know how to handle violent situations. They often have good intentions, but lacking the knowledge how to handle dangerous situations often leads to death. Leave these encounters up to the professionals.
Stand Your Ground
Now many are debating over whether the National Riffles Association (NRA) stand your ground law will affect the entire case. In some cases, these laws protect the shooters in the support that they "justifiably" acted in pulling the trigger regardless whether or not the victim died. What makes people so divided on the "Stand Your Ground" laws are that they vary state-by-state. I personally remember going to the shooting range in Florida; I loved it, however, the entire time I was in the state, I felt nervous and uneasy due to the fact that it was normal for civilians to walk around carrying guns like cell phones. The Stand Your Ground laws in Florida, allow one to utilize a weapon and pull the trigger without hesitation or "police" back-up if they have a "reasonable" fear of death. In this case, I feel the justifiable and reasonable fear will never be proven, as one cannot deliver their story.
Open to You
What are your thoughts on this case? Is vigilante justice warranted? Please share.
Sources:
State of Florida
Not to be offensive, but any person with a bit of common sense would not have been manipulated by Trayvon's younger picture. The article was enough for me. A man (who gives a flip in hell about his color?) Warned by an official representative of a police organization to back the hell off decided (with gun in hand) to CHASE down an unarmed kid and shot him dead. No excuses and I don't blame Trayvon if he bashed that grown fool man in the head. At that time the child, a legal title for his age, was following the 'stand your ground' law. And after updated pictures were posted, the ones of Treyvon wasn't even of him. Regardless, wearing a suit doesn't make you good and showing your drawers doesn't make you bad. A kid was run down and shot dead by an overzealous person while protecting himself. Nothing deeper. The boy wasnt peeking in windows or doibd anything suspicious. Other than walking while Black.
ReplyDeleteMy opinion: One armed overzealous person in his heart felt role of being a good citizen, against the orders of authority decided to pursue a suspicious looking Black kid. Again in my opinion, after many previous break ins In the neighborhood of similarly dressed youth even I (A Black person) would be suspicious. The point of the story changes once the two face each other. A fight obviously broke out. Each thinking he is in the right 'stood his ground'. When push came to shove one was losing the battle and chose to shoot. If for the gun, it would have been a hand to hand. If there had been no pursuit a life would not have been lost and the other would not be on the line. Take in bits from the media form your opinion and live your life. That's how the world works. There is a large avenue of escape for Zimmerman to be freed, but who loses? From every post I have read It is very easy to see whose side everyone is on and even the 'eye'witnesses are bias. So far only one person has a real voice, the other is dead and all else is speculation. And this is my opinion speaking and. not my color.
To Eye,
ReplyDeleteNo offense taken over anyones opinion. I am a bit tired of this case myself. The point of the pictures, etc was just and example of how the media can lure in individuals. I agree with your points, the media took this case to the next level. While others may feel it is about race for me it isn't - it is not about black/white hispanic/black so on and so forth. For me it is about vigilante justice, I despise the fact that citizens are allowed to carry firearms because at times they are not responsible enough to handle the situation or they create an unwarranted situation. Guns added to violence almost always result in death.
I appreciate and respect your thoughts and it is a damn shame that a life was taken over non-sense.
Regards,
Dana A.