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  • Approved for CNN

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    Posted April 11, 2012 by
    Chaiah
    Location
    Pennsylvania
    Assignment
    Assignment
    This iReport is part of an assignment:
    One year since Trayvon Martin's death

    Chaiah and 14 other iReporters contributed to Open Story: Trayvon Martin shooting
    More from Chaiah
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    My son in law could have been Trayvon Martin

    By Chaiah  |  Posted April 11, 2012  |  Pennsylvania
     

    CNN PRODUCER NOTE     Chaiah shared her thoughts on the recent arrest and second-degree murder charges against George Zimmerman, the shooter of slain Florida teen Trayvon Martin. 'I don't think that the arrest in and of itself cures anything,' she said. 'What it does is make the justice system work. Perhaps it creates an avenue for a more open dialogue about racism and bigotry. It saddens me, though, that many still think that neither exist.'
    - jmsaba, CNN iReport producer

    My son in law is mulatto (a descriptive word he has chosen to describe himself as he celebrates both his black/white/native american heritages). He is an educated young man in his early 30's who is very involved in his community. Our pride in him is overwhelming. His appearance often causes him to be profiled by both black and white people, alike, because to some he appears too white and others too black. Then there are those who think he is middle eastern - so he gets profiled for that, as well. It frightens me that someone could just think that he might be in the wrong place - or doing something suspicious - just because of his appearance, or because he is wearing, for instance, an hoodie. Someone could commit what they consider to be vigilante justice just because of that... and my daughter's husband, and the only son we will ever have - because she married him - might be gone because someone might choose to shoot him for no other reason but suspicion.

    Trayvon Martin represents my possible future grandchildren who might have soft nappy hair and have a darker skin color. While my heart yearns to have grandchildren, fear strikes my heart when I think that we will not be able to protect them from the likes of people like George Zimmerman who chose to chase Trayvon Martin down - despite being told not to do so.

    In our country, George Zimmerman is innocent until proven guilty and I keep saying that as a mantra to remind myself that we have a Constitution. George Zimmerman will have his day in court. A jury will hear his defense and will return a verdict. I respect the jury system and honor it. It does not, however, remove the fear I carry every day that someone could harm someone I love, or even another "Trayvon Martin" out there.

    There are far too many people out there who think they are not racist or bigoted - and they are. Those people scare me more than the ones who are open about their racism/bigotry because they are more difficult to spot. This has to open honest dialogue in this country and help all of us understand each other better. If nothing other than that comes from this tragedy, then we will still be very fortunate.
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