Share this on:
 Facebook
 Twitter
 Tumblr
 E-mail
71,972
VIEWS
 
RECOMMENDS
139
SHARES
About this iReport
  • Approved for CNN

    • Click to view drthema's profile
    Posted March 13, 2012 by
    drthema
    Location
    Los Angeles, California
    Assignment
    Assignment
    This iReport is part of an assignment:
    One year since Trayvon Martin's death

    More from drthema
    More iReports you should see

    The Murder of Trayvon: Addressing Justice, Racism, and Safety

    By drthema  |  Posted March 13, 2012  |  Los Angeles, California
     

    CNN PRODUCER NOTE     drthema shared her thoughts on the recent killing of Florida teen Trayvon Martin by an armed community watch officer. Many claim that racism served as a motivation in the shooting. 'It points to what researchers have termed unconscious racism,' she said. 'People are not even aware of their biases. The fact that people identify with the shooter over a murdered child is disturbing.'
    - jmsaba, CNN iReport producer

    Trayvon a 17 year old African American boy was shot in a gated community where his father lives in Florida. He was shot by a self-appointed White Community Watch Captain who was walking around with a gun. Zimmerman the community watch person decided Trayvon looked suspicious. All the boy had was candy and a drink. He was not bothering anyone. He was simply walking from the store to his father's house. So we have to ask ourselves what about the boy made him "look" suspicious? Zimmerman approached the boy after calling the police and the police telling him not to follow the boy. Disregarding the police Zimmerman approached the boy with a gun and the boy attempted to defend himself. Now Zimmerman who weighed about 100 pounds more than the boy and had a gun is claimng self defense. He shot and killed this innocent boy. The police have not arrested Zimmerman because they claim there is no evidence or witness to counter his claim of self defense. This is an outrage. Imagine if the situation was reversed. All children deserve the same justice and protection. All children should be able to walk around without fear of being shot on the street. Some will say don't bring race into the discussion. When we can not even discuss racism we can not hope to address it or change it. Regardless of race every child deserves justice. When this child and his family are told there is nothing the police can do that is unacceptable. Anyone who cares about children should speak out. Anyone who defends the rights of the community watch person to shoot an innocent child should take some serious time for self reflection. Some will say would you be outraged if the child and adult were the same race and the answer is yes. No family should have to bury their child and the murder of any child by anyone should be met with truth not denial.
    • TAGS:

    • GROUPS:

    What do you think of this story?

    Select one of the options below. Your feedback will help tell CNN producers what to do with this iReport. If you'd like, you can explain your choice in the comments below.
    Be and editor! Choose an option below:
      Awesome! Put this on TV! Almost! Needs work. This submission violates iReport's community guidelines.
    More from this assignment - One year since Trayvon Martin's death
    On CNN On CNN
    Outraged that Zimmerman was Granted Bail of $150,000
    On CNN On CNN
    Zimmerman Behind Bars, Blacks Responded: Why are some in White America So Upset?
    On CNN On CNN
    George Zimmerman Acquitted? What Will Black America's Reactions Be?
    See all 597 iReports
    Add your Story

    Comments

    Log in to comment

    iReport welcomes a lively discussion, so comments on iReports are not pre-screened before they post. See the iReport community guidelines for details about content that is not welcome on iReport.

    Add your Story Add your Story