Trayvon Martin
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eorge Zimmerman’s father sent a letter to the Orlando Sentinel Thursday, saying his son did not instigate the conflict that left 17-year-old Trayvon Martin dead.
“At no time did George follow or confront Mr. Martin. When the true details of the event became public, and I hope that will be soon,” the letter from Robert Zimmerman said, “everyone should be outraged by the treatment of George Zimmerman in the media.”
The conflict began after George Zimmerman called police to report a suspicious person wearing a hoodie and walking slowly in the rain. George Zimmerman disobeyed law enforcement orders to stop following Martin and ultimately shot the unarmed teenager in the chest with a 9 mm handgun, killing him.
Robert Zimmerman said his son is Hispanic and not racist. ”He would be the last to discriminate for any reason whatsoever …,” the letter to the Orlando Sentinel says. “The media portrayal of George as a racist could not be further from the truth.”
Updated 1:
On one of the 911 tapes of Trayvon Martin’s killing, the confessed killer George Zimmerman mutters a racial slur under his breath, according to Florida TV station WFTV. The alleged slur is “Fucking Coons.”
Updated 2:
The moment I posted this one Facebook a reader responded with better evidence that Zimmerman says “Fucking coons.” It’s in this YouTube video at 2:19. Thanks for the tip MyBlackFriendSays.com. Perhaps this is the video that reader Drew refers to below.
According to the Sanford Florida police, Zimmerman is white. The police report identifies him as a white male.
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Maybe he’s never been to calif. here Th Mexican seem to copy the white mans hate for blacks, Mexicans have been told they are the new minority here. Mexican show more hate for Blacks than some Whites. Mexicans want to “fit in” with letting whites know their grauditute for staying here , so mexican tend to be a bit more hositle toward black youth and the small blackcommunity.
Wow…..Were all Mixed Blood…There’s no True Race..And Shockingly…There are Haters in Every Group?! People choose to segregate themselves, African-American, Hispanic Latino, Native ect….They aren’t just “American”…And Every Group thinks theirs is the Best or the most picked on, by other groups?! Stupid. So, why did they label Zimmerman a “White” Hispanic? Gotta, get the White in there?…I don’t think it was about the color of his skin or homophobia?!.. Maybe we should just go by White, Black and Brown?? So, anyone from anywhere……Your going to be in one of these 3 groups, what ever shade You are???:) I know, rather silly….Hey, how about “AMERICAN” and we quit Pandering to any certain Group.
This guy looks gay. I believe that Zimmerman may have killed him just because of gay hate crime. When a gay guy approaches a straight guy, and touch him,you know what he has had expected. Some guys are homophobic. I believe Zimmerman is not racist. I believe Zimmerman is homophobic.
I am not sure how being Hispanic does not make a person racist. There are White racist, African American racists, Latino/Hispanic racists, Native American racists. Being racist is a way of thinking, it is an intolerance and formed opinion of someone or group based on the color of their skin, the sound of their accent or simply the way that they look. It is what you are when you are selectively ignorant of the fact that we all eat, we all poop, we all hear, we all cry, we all see out of the same “O”. We all bleed red, we all spit saliva, we all sleep and the sun shines on us all, as the rain falls on us all. Our creator does not deny us the sun, tomorrow, food or love based on the color of our skin, our religion or even our own sins. We run around playing God while he sits and laughs at our self-righteousness. I as not there, so I cannot speak to the details of this case. I only know that a young man is dead and that the other is facing life in prison. I know that they are both brown, because my eyes can see that the shooter was also a man of color. I am not sure how this case is any different from the multiple homicides that take place in our American cities each day? I can only say that my heart cries for the victims of such violence and wonders how the one pulling the trigger ever could? When in self-defense sometimes a trigger must be pulled, but I can only justify it in the dark, under a home invasion or when the opportunity of escape is taken from us and there is an eminent threat of death. I don’t know the details, but we lost a young man who will never see his wedding night and first born child and one who will have to spend the rest of his years in prison. I fail to see a victor in this scenario.
What the father is sayng is: just like the pictue of Trrayvon at 12 yars old makes him falsely look ike an angel, the media is falsely portraying Z man as “White” He is actually an American of Peruvian and Anglo descent. Tis means he is not White, Sol, not that he has no racist tendencies. Moron
The coon thing was not on the original 911 tape.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4ZD_xGs0E4&nomobile=1
The sad thing is that everyone has to make fun of everyone for what theyre opinion is in their post. Some people are ignorant and truly don’t know better we shouldn’t bring them down further and human beings! We all bleed the same blood!
As an African American female living in New York City and who lived in South Florida, I have a few things to say. Are people “African Americans” are never going to win this race war or even get close to it. Not because or not just because we are black, but because we are obsessed with race ourselves. I know many will get upset with my comment but we all know how too many from our community are extremely racist. Many have gone as far as to say that we blacks are incapable of being racist. What a crock of you know what. We call whites, Hispanics and others all types of negative a racist things. Yet we think is ok and have been conditioned to think that it’s ok because our past gives a pass. We relate EVERYTHING that happens to us from other races, ethnicity, countries etc, as racism. We need to stop and by just with others as we too want justice. Not all whites are racist! We need to stop our own prejudice! I feel for Trayon Martin’s Family and this man is racist and needs to pay for this. Does this make it ok for us to target Hispanics now. Are they are new enemy now? We need to stop this Afro-centric bull and realize that everyone is very much capable of racism and race obsession. This is for my Black American communi
ty not for the world. This is from experience as a black woman. From real life to the internet our Hispanic brothers and sisters are our new target. STOP!
so true..well said lady. I know a lot of racist hispanics. love the comment, past does not give you a pass.
Good thoughts and perspectives on the issue. I am a white guy and racism abounds in all races. Fortunately there are many folks who are level headed and don’t thin k with the collective, and espouse independent thoughts, like yo.
Yeah racist people are horrible! So is Mr.Zimmerman, Trayvon’s killer.I don’t care what race Mr. Zimmerman is but I don’t like murderers and he will pay one day for what he did. The Trayvon Martin case really hit home. I am a Black American descended from Jamaicans. I don’t live far from Sanford, I live about 1 1/2 or 2 hours away from there and I have a 13 year old brother. he thinks Whites are so good(I have nothing against Whites) and that everything they do is right. I wonder if some racist would kill my little brother as well? I don’t want to lose him that way.
My mother doesn’t like Hispanic people at all and she said this case is one of the reasons why she doesn’t like them at all. She has had very bad experiences with them and really can’t stand them. She claims that most of them are racist against Black people. Shhe told me one bad story about them about them after another. I have nothing against Hispanics but a lot of them seem racist against Blacks and don’t trust us. I dont see why because we are culturally alike and all. Cuba is 90 miles north of Jamaica. I have nothing against them but I wonder why they don’t trust Blacks and they are minorities as well and alot of Whites don’t like them either as well as they dislike Blacks.
Ms. Adeen,
Your statement is very contradictory. You say racist are horrible people but yet you admit that you and your mother don’t like Hispanics. So, in turn you are calling yourself a horrible person. Its people like you who judge others for what one might have done and assume that all are the same just like Mr. Zimmerman judged young Trayvon. Think before you speak! Words are more powerful than you may know and your words are saying that you are just like Mr. Zimmerman.
Judge not and you shall not be judged…
“And new findings in the Martin Murder case have all in a cultural uproar. It is now being sent in to our head office that we indeed have the full certified birth certificate of George Zimmerman; the man suspected in the murder of Trayvon Martin. And in this birth certificate it is stated that his father is not white but full Hispanic. I repeat. Zimmerman is not half white but of full Hispanic blood and his real name isn’t George Zimmerman but Juan Atahualpa Moyachunga. Juan is in the United States illegally and has been using false papers by the name of George to work in this country illegally and was able to purchase a gun with false documentation too! We forwarded this information to the Chief of Police to see if they had already know about this but the admitted they didn’t. And in a turn of events Juan Atahualpa Moyachunga AKA “George Zimmerman” is now going to be placed immediately under arrest for fraud/forgery and under ICE detainer to be later prosecuted and after his long stay at county jail awaiting immigration court, it will be determined if he indeed will be deported back to Peru, which is usually the case. This new information has up roared the Hispanic and Black communities causing riots between them causing many deaths. Also it is possible that this will cause the nation to make more Anti- Immigration laws to avoid from having these people here illegally committing crimes against the American communities.” ….and now back to you Bob…(Sarcastic Parody not real)
I used to get bullied in school by blacks, I am hispanic…tell me more!
Really? try growing up a white kid in the South Bronx in the 1960′s and tell me about racism. I hear ya completely.
I Don’t care if George Zimermen, is Cuban , Latino, White or Black or Green ,he Killed an unarmed Kid . he should have been arrested & held in Jail and Charged .This guy is nothing but a self appointed want a Be Cop with no powers of arrest.or Badge, he should not have had a Fire Arm ! ! Civilian Neighbor Watch in most Cities don’t carry Guns and have no power of arrest. they can carry cell phones and Mace only. they are to call and report crime to police and not take action its not their Job .Thats what the Police Do ! —-The Police Dept Really did drop the Ball on this !
There are five races: black, brown, red, white, and yellow. There are thousands of different ethnicities. I am a white (Caucasian and North American Indiginess Indian) male and as far as I feel I I’m discriminated against more than any other group because of things that my ancestors supposedly did. I’m blamed for all of the bad things that have happened or continue to happen in the world. As far as I know black Africans captured other black Africans and sold them to the Spanish who then transported them to the Americas (North, South, and the associated islands). There they were sold into slavery. To this day slavery still exists, mostly blacks agianst blacks and Asians against Asians, but also whites against whites too. It isn’t about race it’s about the elite one percent making money and having power.
“I am a white (Caucasian and North American Indiginess Indian)”
Sorry dude, not that I care about these things but that’s not “white”.
“There are five races: black, brown, red, white, and yellow. There are thousands of different ethnicities.”
Perhaps, you should return to elementary school. Those are colors, not races. And colors are derogatory categories for races.
And, by the way, your post makes no sense, whatsoever.
Got that right. There are 3 races: caucasian, negroid, and asian. Everything else is an ethnic subset, not a race. You can be a white hispanic, an asian hispanic, or a black hispanic. There is no such thing as a hispanic hispanic or JUST being a hispanic. Zimmerman is a white hispanic. And a liar and a douche, judging by how he lied about various things in court.
I happen to agree, with your analogy. It’s all about power, money and population control. The media has base, this entire story on race. We need to stop this race foolishness. The media need to examine their own motives and conduct instead of judging others. I learned the traits that bother us in others are often the habits we dislike in ourselves. Our unbroken bad habits and behavior patterns are the very ones we most want to change in others. Society constantly dwells on the negative aspect of things. Now, let’s try coming together and find a solution to the going on this country faces. Nobody appears to have a resolution. One has to be a miserable person, to focus on negative.
I can’t believe the media is trying to anger black people in order to divide races during this election. How cruel Obama is using blacks as puppets. It is very sad this young man died and how weird that white people are the evil man again in this story? The killer is Mexican?! I am a white father of four girls and I love every brother and sister on this earth no matter what color you are. Let’s take a step back and look at what the media is up to. We are all Americans screw race! Don’t let the Government trick F*ck you. We are all brothers and sisters.
I understand your feelings Mike but I have to disagree with you. How is whites being portrayed as the evil ones, when the only race comes up from Zimmerman is that he is Mexican. Tell me who is really the race that is being portrayed as the evil one. Especially after you consider the fact that Zimmerman father is white, and mother is from Peru. No Mexican in that.
Zimmerman isn’t Mexican. He’s half-Peruvian. Racially, that still makes him a mestizo. But apparently that isn’t enough for the organized mestizo groups in the United States. For reasons unclear to me, these groups are selling George out and joining the blacks in the anti-Zimmerman smear campaign. Maybe if Zimmerman was Mexican instead of Peruvian, La Raza would see things differently.
One thing I’m sure of, though, is that La Raza’s support of the Trayvon Martin side of the story isn’t motivated by principle. There’s enough evidence that George Zimmerman is in the right of things that there can be no such principled siding with Trayvon Martin. These Hispanic groups must have something to gain in the political sense from throwing in with the blacks.
At this moment, however, I don’t have a clue what it is.
FOR MIKE THE “KILLER” AS YOU WROTE IS NOT MEXICAN BUT PERUVIAN. PLEASE DONT PUT INCORRECT INFORMATION.
The shooter is of Peruvian, a totally different culture from Mexico. They both have Spanish as a language in common, but, Z man would never say: “Viva Mexico!”
great post!! I’m a black father or 3 kids, and this is the best post i’ve ever seen. we are all brothers and sisters!!! that’s right. GREAT POST
Zimmerman is not a hispanic last name, if anything he’s dad is white and his mom must be the one who is hispanic. I’m hispanic & when filling out an application i feel offended i have to check hispanic and then i have to check what color i am why is that i already checked that i was hispanic why does my skin color matter. I am of a tan(mulato) complexion my dad is a black hispanic and my mom’s complexion is like Claire Huxtable to give you an idea. So what should i check? I just leave hat part blank. Their was somene that said in other countries they treat the black people different i have to say not all of the people just like in the united states. Some might feel that way some don’t. It’s 2012 and in the United States some people still look at the color of your skin and just assume what your race or nationality is without even knowing. All people of all races do this and all people of all races don’t. I guess it’s how they’re raised very sad.
“george zimmerman” is not hispanic… i do not want him to be affiliated with my culture.
it’s a slap in our faces.
You are so right Rodriguez, from my understanding George Zimmerman father is white, and his mother is from Peru. That is no where near Mexican. SO it really makes you think why would they spin the story off to portray that.
PLAYING THE HISPANIC CARD DOESN’T MITIGATE MURDER —¡EL ASESINATO ES UN ASESINATO!
George Zimmerman discovered to be part Hispanic. So what? My reactions are based on many actions in the Hispanic (Latino, Latin American, etc.) community and direct observations in the realm of identity politics. I am an “African American” woman, who visually has a lot in common with the mestizaje or “mixed race” members of the various Hispanic communities.
To make the point finer: When I lived in the SF/Bay Area in the 1970s, there were fewer Latinos than today in the general population. Latinos would greet me with “¿Cómo está?” — a more formal and yet distancing greeting. I was still perceived as Other or a good Afro sister, but friendly. (A point: Latino is aggregate. A Mexicano, is not a Cubano, is not a Puertorriqueño, and is not a Salvadoreña.
Years later, the number of Latinos with various colors and hues overlapped with those of African Americans. The greetings changed to “hola,” and a wave, an indication of group inclusion until it was learned that I was not a Latina, Spanish speaking or no. Eventually, the number of Latinos soared. The greetings were sometimes interspersed with “Hola, hermana” or “Hi, sister.” We, lighter-skinned African Americans and Latinas, had begun, except for language, to “look alike”. Rarely, did I observe or hear about the same greeting used with darker African Americans. In most Latin-American countries, the darker people are called Negros and Zambos and are discriminated against and avoided.
In both the U.S. and most of Latin America what sets people apart is the proverbial color line. Not the color line that DuBois referred to when comparing Blacks (or Negroes) versus White, but the intragroup “light versus dark” color line. The terms, “mulatto” (a Spanish term) dredges up the comparisons drawn between the privileges of “field Negroes” (dark and few) and “house Negroes” (mulatto or light and greater). Those differences are the same as found in the Latino communities with caste terms, such as, morenos (browns), or zambos (Indian and Black) versus blancos (White or European).
Today, lighter-skinned Latinos often identify racially as “White” and ethnically “of color”. In short, it’s an identity two-way street. When benefits are distributed (especially those to assuage injustice and discrimination toward African Americans) or they are in legal trouble many Latinos want to be considered “minorities”. But for the privileges, these same Latinos check “White” on the forms for racial identity, much like the Italians, Sicilians and Irish learned to do in the nineteenth and early twentieth century. Comedian Richard Pryor used to do a skit whereby he said: The first word immigrants learn when they get “off the boat,” is N—-r.
Supposedly, George Zimmerman was of Peruvian (mother) and White (father) descent. Many would say, “Peruvian? WTH is Peru?” Yet, Peru, and its Slave Trade should not be left out. Enslaved Africans brought directly to Peru were designated bozales (“unskilled, untrained). Peru’s pigmentocracy hierarchy was: Spaniards at the top, mestizos in the middle, and Africans and the indigenous populations at the bottom. As New York writer and activist Michaela Angela Davis says, “George Zimmerman’s Hispanic roots don’t give him cover.”
It is intriguing that in the midst of trouble and a possible arrest for murder, George Zimmerman’s father would play the card, “we’re just another minority group called Hispanic.” “Some of our best friends are…” Obviously, George Zimmerman had an overactive and live, “wanna-be-a-White-Boy-so-bad-complex” which led to him to carry a gun, be a “badass” and look to shoot one of “those people” (why else carry a gun and follow Black people).
Hispanics’ identity choices and the downstream consequences should and must be explored before Hispanics choose the route that so many light-skinned marginalized immigrants have taken before their entry into the American culture. The title of books tells the history: “How the Irish Became White” [Ignatiev] (and “How Jews became White Folks” [Brodkin] and “How the Asians Became White” [Volokh].
While it will take some time to drill down into the forensics of the Trayvon Martin tragedy, I can say with all confidence, “Playing the Hispanic card doesn’t mitigate murder.” ” “El asesinato es un asesinato.” ¿Entiende usted que?
Kathleen Rand Reed
Applied Anthropology
The Rand Reed Group
Washington, DC and Portland, OR
701
I’ve never heard that word zombo. Mulato is someone who is of a dark tanish complexion not what the spray tan looks like and trigenyo(i didn’t spell it right) is still like a lighter tan complexion and morenos and negro is the same thing it just simply means black. If your skin is white your just blanca. Your right about some countires have racism but not all people are racist in these other countries, it’s just like in the United States some think that way about people of darker skin but some don’t, and no way do they have their minds made up about black people before they get here because of tv SMH that’s ridiculous i can”t believe people think like that.
Love this comment, very enriching to read. Plus we all forget that we associate racism with the Anglo’s when in fact every one has their own personal issues with race. His father plays the Hispanic card as if Hispanics aren’t racist…..his father’s excuse makes no sense. You well explained how us Hispanics have our own race issues based on our wonderful spectrum of shades. Plus his diverse culture might have imprinted a bad vibe in his head. Him being of White father must have gotten picked on a bit by the Hispanic side. Peruvians are pretty dark. So frustrated he figured well if the Latinos don’t accept me then I’ll go for the white. My little brother is Puertorican/Mexican and he has to hear the “You’ll never be like us” crap from his Mexican family and now that he’s lived in Puerto Rico for 4 years he’s had to put up with a whole lot of discrimination from their part too. And not from the kids but even from the adults and teachers at his school. So like many mixed kids, he’s in a cultural limbo… My children will probably suffer from this as well, then again the future might be different. Back then Irish were Irish, Italians were Italians, English were English, Jews were Jews….Now they’re all just white. In the future I’m sure there will be a name for people like those who are of 2 worlds. But yes, you are definitely right in that Murder is Murder no mater what the background. He confessed. It’s what I’ve been commenting on so many sites. That this is simple. A man killed a boy. Period. Media is simply trying to divert the issues to ease the stress on those who messed up on the job.
A well-written treatise. You have shown that people-of-color can be racist against other people-of-color. However, you have not shown that Zimmerman is racist. An African-American friend of his made a statement in his defense on national news not long after he was arrested. At least one of his neighbors has stated he/she had seen people of all races visiting the Zimmerman home. Obviously his white father wasn’t prejudiced against hispanics, since he married Zimmerman’s mother. These all seem like mitigating factors to me, at least against his being racist. It just doesn’t sound like a racist atmosphere. You weren’t there, and I wasn’t there. Maybe we should let this get sorted out in the courtroom, where it belongs. White on Black crime, and Black on White crime can be just that…..crime. But my feeling is that lately the over-use of the word “racism” is causing the very thing that it decries.
God point about the slave trade in Peru. Because Zimmerman actually probably has some Black blood in him. Which makes the whole race labeling and baiting thing preposterously rediculous. I like to think we are INDIVIDUALS who are accountable for our actions due to our thought processes at the time.
I lived in DC and knew of him. He might not have been a racist, he was a nut job. I am myself part Afro-Cuban, part indigenous American, and part white; and though my race is suspect always in all directions it is hardly ever accurately guessed-so much for people mixed with black necessarily having a certain hair texture. It the police force that is more racist than I suspect he is; but they are also ineffective there and elsewhere such as Philadelphia, PA where I lived for five years from 2006-2011. I will take it a step further in Philadelphia-not only are the police very ineffective, they are also in bed In more ways than one with the known criminals themselves. Though I would not take a gun on somebody (maybe a bat if I had not doubt he had a gun literally pointed at me, but I do muai thai so that might not be necessary) and have known good black sisters across the street from me who took baseball bats up when white and just as often black policemen were not taking her seriously about her complaints at best and being paid off by the criminals at worst and the result was tragic.for her. Another thing that’s less a secret about Philly than many ever want to admit-the black police there, especially the females, are usually much more brutal and corrupt to their own kind than any white police men. Of course this child wasn’t guilty of anything but being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Whether this guy was really guilty of racism or just crazy is questionable, but the police and the system is guilty of all of the above. With this guy’s mental health issues the Brady Bill should not even allow him to own a firearm if not for possibly non-verified mental health issues a police record. I know you might not like what I am saying, but before you all get hateful just think about it a bit. I also am tired of the mainstream civil rights movement taking up sexy cases like this when far worse things might be going on that do not look as sexy. Of course that teacher in Fairfax should be fired. But when you cross the border into any inner city DC public school, black teachers will say things that are much more blatant and ugly to chiefly broke, black kids in those schools (call them things like N****s, MotherF***ers, and F****ts and worse and for some reason nobody even cares. By the way, I am a Muslim and have been since 2006. As Salaam Alaikum Rahmatullah Wa Barakatu, and life’s a war, bro…
Yeah it’s totally not racist to call someone a coon.
Coon is a racial term to disrespect black people, look in the dictionary there is no other race listed but black. I can truly state that the word may have a different meaning for different cultures. But the dictionary gives the clear meaning of the word.
Anyone can be racist; the idea that Zimmerman is not because he’s a minority is idiotic. That point is superfluous in any case.. The important question is WHY was this guy not arrested? Even policemen who have authority, when they’re involved in ANY shooting, they are put on administrative duty (or leave) and have their gun turned in until the end of the investigation.. This unsanctioned (even his ‘Neighborhood Watch’ title is self given only) man who clearly continually calls the police about ‘suspicious persons’, pursues, ultimately KILLS an unarmed kid.. and NO investigating is done? He is let go, with his gun that night. Only after the outcry was it even looked in to.. Any person, of any race, class, nationality should be outraged.
I’ve been reading the posts and as a Cuban-American I feel I need to add something to the discussion on Zimmerman’s race and racism. Someone earlier brought up that Zimmerman is obviously not just white and that since he’s labeled as Hispanic, the conclusion is that the non-white features are “Indian”. The thing is, most of the indigenous Cubans were massacred by the Spaniards. As a Cuban who recognized a fellow Cuban as soon as she saw Zimmerman’s photo, I agree that he has features tjat could be seen as “non-white”. Ironically, given Cuba’s history, the likelihood is that those features you are noticing are the result of black ancestry. Many Cubans, even those of us that “look white” have black ancestry. Sadly, many Cubans who “pass” try to hide this. I’m not saying I know for sure that this is the case for Zimmerman, but I wanted to add a perspective from a Cuban-American who is proud of her mixed ancestry (even though people assume I’m white) and yet willing to admit that many Cuban-Americans are not and are in fact, very racist to the point of denying a whole other side of our culture. So yes, a Hispanic can be racist and it’s sadly not as easy as there are White Hispanics vs. Indigenous Hispanics vs. Black Hispanics. The real issue is Zimmerman was a man looking to profile a young Black man to kill him and that since Zimmerman seemed White, the police were willing to believe his story.
Audio experts say that George Zimmerman did not utter a racist comment “F***ing coons…” The experts say that the comment is “F***ing PUNKS…”
Stop raising doubts about an unclear inconclusive audio…
I listened to the audio. I don’t hear anything about “coons”…
Sorry.
Just heard about this this morning. Need to find a link to update the story. Feel free to share one. Thanks!
You’re a special. You also need experts to tell you what to hear, huh? ABC and CNN both say he said coon after their audio “experts” analyzed it. Do you need an expert to understand what I’ve written?
You truly need a hearing aide as a professional sound man working in the industry for many years has just cleared up that fact.
I got to listen to it with many others today and i hope your hearing aide arrives before they arrest this racist moron.
To people who keep bringing up the point that Zimmerman is Hispanic or Mexican therefore this can`t be racially motivated. First of all, Hispanic or Mexican is description of ethnicity, NOT a race! Have you never heard of White Hispanic or White Mexican? No? You live under a rock. Secondly, before his father revealed Zimmerman was Hispanic everybody took him as White including the Sanford P.D. And that is very important because he was perceived as White and that is all that counts with regards to how he was treated by the police. The police treated him as he is White (and by definition he IS White AND Hispanic) so any racism committed by Sanfard PD is obviously results of this perception. Thirdly we don`t know how Zimmerman identified himself – he`s half White half Hispanic (?) at the time of the killing but there is a revealing clue – he used `f****ng coons` in one of his 911 calls. I don`t know about you but that is a pretty racist thing to say don`t you think so? So yeah judged by his actions – NOT by his racial backgrounds – chances are he is a racist. If you absolutely have to pigeonhole Zimmerman into a racial category, it seems to me that he should be called a White Hispanic racist!
George Zimmerman’s father says his son is Hispanic? What a joke.
The first question to his father after making this statement should’ve been; “so…..I guess you’re Hispanic also, Mr Zimmerman????”
Bet his answer wouldn’t be “Yes”……
I’m just sayin’……
OK, if someone is half white and half Black, they are listed as Black, why when it is an incident that is being portrayed as racist, do the whites get all the credit, lets be consistent, and call him Hispanic, or let everyone that has more than one race, or background be allowed to call themselves whatever they want to be called. I personally would like my birth certificate to say Black.
There is enough hatred without us trying to make or stir more up. I would not sign the petition, but may later. I do not have enough information, every race has racists, that are offensive, but should people who use racial slurs always be charged with hate crimes? The use of racial slurs shows ignorance.
We have to tread lightly, and let the justice system work. I would not want someone unjustly convicted even if he is a racist Hispanic.
You’re comparing apples & oranges.
Like someone already mentioned, Hispanic IS NOT a race but a shared culture & language. Hispanics can be totally white, mestizo, mulatto, etc. etc. If Zimmerman has a white father & a white Peruvian mother (I doubt she has much Indian blood) the boy is WHITE and he will be perceived as white & not face the same type of discrimination that dark skin mixed Hispanics face.
Obviously if a person is half black, they will have African features (hair, large nose) except their lighter skin color. They also face the same discrimination by whites who perceive them is black. It’s all about perception & physical features.
Let me ask you this….if a mulatto robs a liquor store or slings drugs on the corner, will you hear whites say look at that half -white guy commit those crimes
You are so right. America is obssessed with making hispanic a race. There are black hispanics and white hispanics. Most latin american countries try to hide their black population. Remember, most of the slaves went to Brazil. White people have divided the black population throughout th world. Black latinos do not want to be considered black when they come to America, even though they were diccriminated against by the white latinos in their own country.
fact is La Raza makes “Hispanic” a rae, not Americans. I could care les about them or their “race”. I understand folks according to their thoughts, not their skin color.
If we’re going to categorize people, the question is would someone look at the picture of Zimmerman and say he’s “white’. No — he would face discrimination looking the way he does. Now that doesn’t mean he’s not a racist — anyone can be.
You guys can argue about what he actually is, but if the point is that he would have faced discrimination himself, I’m sure he has.
Regarding George Zimmerman,…..Mother: Peruivan/Lantino….Father: Jewish…..Alter boy because his mother was Catholic…
Being Peruvian, Z man is also probably black, since there is a large leftover black slave population there.
thanks for the valuable insight. Then the African American is not a race and being white is not a race. So using your logic, this can not be a race related but then you call him a racist. According the census Hispanic is considered a race
Race is a classification system used to categorize humans into large and distinct populations or groups by heritable phenotypic characteristics, geographic ancestry, physical appearance, and ethnicity. So being from a Latin American (geography) or Hispanic (ethnicity) is considered a race. Just one more thing to divide us.
” Chances are he is racist” thanks for being part of the divide.
You think the police took him as white?” Have you seen his picture? He is a DARK SKINNED, Dark brown eyed, flat nosed, BLACK HAIRED, minority! He speaks FLUENT SPANISH! He couldn’t drive 20 feet into Arizona without getting pulled over!
Now, there are some Hispanic people with light skin and brown hair that may pass as white, but this guy certainly isn’t one of them. You’re a liar who is regurgitating BS that you hear the agitators bringing up to stir the pot.
That’s not true! the U.S. census is actually the first one to claim that Hispanic is not a race. In fact is already well known among hispanics that if you answer yes to the question on whether you are or not hispanic you still have to pick a race in the next question.
I just want to say since when cant Hispanics be racist of course they can any one can think with a racist or should I say a prejudice mind what makes anyone think that he cant be because hes hispanic thats an excuse to get off the hook for a person to claim I cant be racist because Im hispanic is ludacris theres racism in every race please dont tell me only whites are racist thats a bunch of hogwash and besides the fact that hispanics are not a race anyway some are white and some are darker
this poor child what ashame my heart goes out to his mother and the family so sad it breaks my heart
Yes because as we all know it’s impossible for anyone who isn’t white to be racist??? Seriously people, think before you type or speak. This notion that racism is strictly a “white thing” is bull shit. A N Y O N E of any race creed or color is capable of being a racist, the sooner human beings (particularly us in america) get this through our thick skulls the sooner we can start having honest discourse about issues that don’t degenerate into pointless arguments.
wow I just wrote basically the same thing you said just in other words you are 100% right
Racism is mostly a white thing because they have the power to act on it. You never hear about blacks discriminating against whites in jobs, housing & education. You don’t see blacks controlling the police, the courts, and a “old boys” network in Sanford, FL that Zimmerman the “white Hispanic” was much a part of.
So I think you need to come back to reality
That is JUST plain stupid…Blacks are just as racist as Whites…or Asians…for that matter. I know many Blacks who harbour quite a bit of racism, and try to date an Asian woman (particularly Korean)…You will see how quickly she gets harassed by her parents/friends/and the Korean community…
Racism exists among all races. Spike Lee is racist. Al Sharpton is VERY racist. “Racism is mostly a white thing” has got to be one of the most ignorant things I have heard today. I am shocked sometimes by what I hear/read on various Facebook walls from my former Black highschool mates. Recently, one girl posted on my friend’s wall and said that White people are the devil and are responsible for all evil in this world…
I posted that I was very disappointed to see that kind of thing on my friend’s wall, and he apologized and a few people replied, but for the most part, a LOT of people didn’t condemn her for her comment.
So…STOP making generalizations….Are YOU racist? If not, GOOD! But don’t be so ignorant as to claim that racism is mostly White…
Racism IS, however, a flaw/illness that EVERY human is capable of displaying…Our job is to remove this flaw from our daily lives…just as we remove hatred, fear, anger…We are ALL equally capable of being racist, or angry, or negative…and if you choose to host such feelings, you will be the one that suffers. I, like many of the Black, White, and Asian people that I choose to associate with, do NOT allow racism to exist in my heart.
Eliminate their races: some non-law enforcement ADULT (over 18 years old) follows, then verbally and physically assaults some CHILD (under 18 years old) and then shoots the child dead when the child begins screaming for help. Case closed: murder.
Yeah that’s cute, but that’s not how the real world works
Cuban whites…. are anything but hispanic. Historically they were proud of the fact that they have no mestizo or half Indian blood. They genocided the natives. They tend to be right wing racists (Republicans) – sorry that’s the facts. Its a shame that Cubans and Argentinians get linked in this group.
This guy was also Jewish. Lots of inferiority complex stuff going on in this bully – murders head.
Nice going you racist jerk. Profiling people based on race, religion and political views. In guess all people of color are….?
I guess MLK was wrong about how we should judge people.
What racist comment did he make?
The native Cuban population was exterminated by white Spaniards….that’s just a fact
A vast majority of Cuban exiles are right-wing conservatives….just like most Jewish Americans are liberal democrats. Those are just facts. Isn’t that the reason why you try and make a distinction by calling yourself “Jewish Republican”?
People need to clarify Racism. Most of the time when people discuss these issues they only talk of one type of racism. But there are 4 to be specific.
1. Racist type #1: We all know this type the typical Nazi, Skinhead, KKK white sheet wearing fool, or their flip coin Black Power opposite which both want to see the extermination of the other side. These types while hated can be respected because they usually don’t hide their hatred or racism for the other side. Whether you agree with them or not. You know where you stand with them. Most people who talk about racism use these types as litmus test for other racist and declare such and such is not a racist because they don’t show any ‘signs’ of being a racist. This is a mistake.
2. Racist type #2. The Undercover racist. This type believes the same things as racist type 1 but because of cowardice, or fear of losing a job, money, prestige, promotions or getting their asses kicked don’t ever reveal themselves except to a few people openly. Even then they always use excuses for their racist ideals. Actually my personal belief is that this type is more dangerous. Because like saboteurs they can infiltrate with their garbage into all aspects of society secretly and even have the very people they have disdain for co-sign for them because these people are very skilled at keeping their true agenda/feeling hidden. Example can be varied from the employer that would rather hire an unqualified white person over an over qualified black person simply because of ‘comfort’ Race-gender bias; Will date or sleep with a male or female of a race but hates the other gender as if they didn’t come out of the same womb. Of course the so-called helpful liberal social worker helpful type that see’s the race as a pet that needs their ‘help’ so they can be idolized. Where the minority becomes their entertainment cause and sidekick rather than a human being with their own lives and concerns separate but equal. Sadly, some of these types don’t even realize they are racist.
Racist type 3: Very similar to racist type 2 but could be of the same race and get this. Know they are Racist against another group or their own. But because they benefit so much from a system of whte supremacy, colonization, imperialism whether it’s money from the prison system, racist insurance rates, home mortgage fraud, they don’t do shit to change the system and will stop you if you try too. This group is really defined by classism as well. It’s okay if JayZ used to be a drug dealer because he has half a billion dollars now. But if you are a Black school teacher in the inner city…. Scum. aka The Talented 10th Racist.
Racist type 4. Whether you want to blame Stockholm Syndrome, Post traumatic slave disorder, self-hatred. This type is defined as a so-called minority that has been brain washed to believe that white is always right and better. Skin bleaching, processed hair, the water is better in white restaurants, white men are better, white women are better, it just goes on and on. The biggest lie these people tell is that some of our elders who supposedly fought in the Civil Rights movement are immune. No, some of them are the worst and just pass it down generation to generation. I have had people twice my age get literally mad when I make simple factual statements like that 88% of the people on this planet are either Black, Brown or Asian just because they are so invested in the learned ‘minority’ status thing. They think the white man rules the planet because he is God.
Mr. Zimmerman I believe is a type 2 Classic. Has a few Black so-called friends most likely who are in a class level below his to boost his ego. These people never have Black friends who are just as smart or smarter. But underneath his altruism believes the same as any other Klansman, he’s just afraid to wear the white dress.
Only 4 types, you say? I say there are thousands of Types, including “people of color” who refuse to see another’s humanity because they have so-called “white” skin.
Race is a false construct. While racism, in all its forms–and I am well aware European racist attitudes have caused the most damage historically–is the major obstacle to all of us realizing our true potential as the family of man.
I hope future generations can heal the sickness.
Linda
I agree with you. In the Jewish religion, the children are only considered Jewish if their mother is Jewish. None of this matters. George Zimmerman is a racist who hates blacks in particular. His past shows a bad temper. Others have mentioned his lack of self-esteem and self-loathing. He’s a nut case. So are the police commissioner and the mayor of the town. Why is this lunatic not only free but still has his gun? Why wasn’t he tested for drugs or alcohol? Is the entire town racist? Sure seems like the majority are!
the police took his gun for evidence,but he still has the right to carry another gun.
I don’t care what he is…a racist killer is a racist killer…I was just talking with someone last week about his dissertation that looks at how Latinos/Hispanics for example are not a homogenous group and many experience what he terms a historic, dialectical relationship with white supremacy…in fact his mixed background may indeed fuel his need to identify more with his white self, hence his violent actions towards black people/poc in general is a way of disassociating himself from being a person of color…cognitive dissonance X 100
Beautifully said Dr. Jolivette i couldnt have said it better !
On George (Jorge) Zimmerman’s Race: Whatever he is, he’s not white-enough for his father (who called him “Hispanic”). To be honest, that’s probably why he was filled with such racial hatred: An Inferiority complex instilled in him from his tenuous identity. He wasn’t “white enough” for dear, ol’ dad.
Truth is this George Zimmerman was/is filled with self-loathing and anger…A biting, predatory animal. He’s attacked cops, now killed an innocent child. He hides, like a dog. An elder in my family once said “curses follow unpunished evil.” I believe it. This George Zimmerman, his family, the community (Sanford, FL) and anyone who supports him is (and always will be) cursed.
GEORGE ZIMMERMAN IS NOT A HISPANIC ALL ALONE, HIS FATHER IS JEWISH AND MOTHER IS CUBAN, ALL OF THE SUDDEN HE IS HISPANIC, THEN WHY IS THAT EVERYONE REFERS TO PRESIDENT BARRACK OBAMA AS BLACK WHEN HIS FATHER IS BLACK AND HIS MOTHER IS WHITE, CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT, NORMALY THE FATHER IS THE CONTROLLING GENE IN A PERSON BORN , ESPECIALLY WHEN IS THE FATHERS LAST NAME THAT IT CARRIES. LIKE ZIMMERMAN . GET THE FACTS STRAIGHT. ALTHOUGH IM NOT SAYING THAT WHAT HE DID WAS RIGHT, I THINK HE ACTED STUPID AND TO QUICK AT THE GUN, FOR THAT HE SHOULD BE ARRESTED AND LET THE PROCESS TAKE ITS COURSE
Where the heck did you get “normally a father is the controlling gene” in a person? You betray your own chauvinism here.
FYI, in Jewish tradition if your MOTHER is Jewish you are considered such.
Barack Obama, like all people of mixed heritage in this country, is considered black because he appears black and also in this historically racist society if one had even “a drop” of African blood, they were considered “black,” “colored” or “mulatto.” So they could categorize and discriminate, of course.
People of mixed heritage as mentioned in the Standards for classification as of 1989 were able to identify themselves by the race of the Mother. Before this date the race was determined by the Father. (He was born before 1989.)
Thank you
I’m from England and I am absolutely stunned by this horrific story. Something is badly wrong with the law in Florida (and the USA) if Mr Zimmerman doesn’t go to jail for this… Reverse the positions and a black man would already be in jail, awaiting trial for murder, for the same act..
He left his vehicle and followed the child, seeking a confrontation, against the advice of the 911 operator. He then confronted and murdered Trayvon, for the sole reason, that Zimmerman believed a young black male in his neighborhood must be regarded as a threat.
I don’t know the guy, so I can’t 100% guarantee he is a racist, but he does appear to call him a coon on the recording and his actions back that up. As for his father saying he’s not a racist because he has (had) black friends.. That is laughable – the stock defense of a racist.. And btw Zimmerman Snr, Junior doesn’t have any black friends anymore!
Even if he isn’t prosecuted, he will never be safe again, which is not a nice way to have to live, but he only has himself to blame…
I have an update for your update. Young Turks viewer was the first to spot this, said by Zimmerman in the 9-11 dispatcher call: “these people, they always get away…fucking coons”. Not racist? LOL!!
Mr. Robert Zimmerman is obviously biased regarding this case with his son blatantly, it seems, targeting this young man and taking his life. I guess he is just taking his son’s word regardless of evidence that has surfaced. Being Hispanic, or any minority race for that matter, does not disqualify you from being racist. There are African Americans that hate people within their own race because of “ethnic features” or other attibutes of that particular race. I am an African American male and I can attest to this. This case is sounding more and more like a targeted hate crime. Since when does wearing a hoodie or walking slowly, whether you look suspicious or not, deem you a shady criminal who needs to be gunned down. Maybe Mr. Zimmerman allowed underlying racism and hatred to get the best of him and unfortunately, this is the unhealthy way that it was expressed. This was another unfortunate and unnecessary MURDER! If he thought and thinks that by calling 911, staging an alleged “shady occurrence,” and having fake evidence would or will “get him off the hook,” he is probably sadly mistaken. I hearby hope and feel that justice WILL be served.
Well being as I’m a White American and being as this has become about race. I have never met any White folks that look like him. He is not White. Also to say that Hispanics are not racist is b.s. I’m the only White guy at my work and the rest are hispanic, I would say 80% of them don’t like Black folks or don’t trust them. Hell most of them don’t even like me for that matter, but some have come around…
Now as far as Zimmerman goes He’s just another trigger happy piece of shit where somebodys kid paid the price. Justice will be served due to so much media attention, otherwise I’m sure this would have been swept under the rug with a warning and a slap on his wrist…
Matt thank you thank you for what i have been saying. Its as if you took the words right out of my mouth. I am from Britain, I recently worked in an attorney’s office and being the only black female i was accepted for a short while because i was deemed attractive and well spoken but the resentment and the often hostility and hostile environment i got from my hispanic collegues got too much for me.
I was subjected to so many ugly and racist comments all hidden behind fake smiles. It was pure hell one of the attorneys who was white even said to me “hell these Mexicans hate blacks and they only just tolorate us whites. It didnt come as a shock to me.
There is a sickness within the society and this maybe just the tip of the iceberg.
I did not understand how educated middle class people could feel so much hatred. I have not lived long in the United States but im seeing one thing for sure the word United does not it seems mean anything to a lot of people who have seeked this country as their homeland and that is a crying shame.
I send my heartfelt condolences to this poor boys parents this is tragic.
it is a shame that it ended this way.the poor boy is not the one who’s pictures you see on the news.the pictures that you see have grown to 6 ft. 3 in. tall with tatoo’s.that does not mean that he deserves to be shot,but if it is true that he came up from behind of zimmerman & when he turned arond trayvon said do you have a problem & z said no & reached for his phone to call 911.at this point trayvon punched him in the face knocking z to the ground got on top of him & slamed his head into the sidewalk & then got a bullet to the chest.if this is what happened is that murder?
His dad is white. His mom is Latino.
I don’t care if Zimmerman was blue. He murdered Trayvon, he followed him and he even called to 911 in his pursuit to support his attack. He says on the call that Trayvon was coming towards him but when the 911 dispatcher asked him was he following him he said yes and they advised him not to do that. He’s a killer and his ass is gonna get it back. He better run and hide with his fake wanting to a cowboy ass. He better hope his ass gets locked up because being free on the streets won’t be good for him. He killed that baby. Sick ass
This dude was out for blood, point blank. He wanted to be a cop so bad, that he was willing to shoot anyone for anything.
[...] the former, just because Zimmerman is (half-?)Hispanic doesn’t mean race was not involved. In the 911 tapes, it is easy to draw the conclusion that [...]
I want to see Zimmerman birth certificate
White Hispanic? There’s not such thing. You’re either white or hispanic. It’s the same thing as saying white Chinese. It simply doesn’t exist. What morons.
Actually, you’re wrong: http://www.census.gov/population/estimates/rho.txt
You can’t go by how people identify themselves — racism is based on how other people treat you. I’m sure every Cuban wants to call themselves white, but even if you’re from Europe you’re not necessarily white — even most people from Spain or Italy would face discrimination in the US.
Hispanic means from a Spanish speaking culture or land such as Spain or Honduras.Any race can be Hispanic from blacks to whites and everything in between.
You’re wrong…you can be 100% white & Hispanic….just go to Miami. A majority of wealthy white Cuban elites fled Castro to go live in south Florida
Even if George Zimmerman has some sort of Hispanic background, as I do, he is still White. Just as Treyvon might of been of some sort of African background, but he was still Black. And there are very few full Hispanics with a last name like Zimmerman. The fact of the matter is that Zimmerman is a madman and needs to be arrested ASAP and tried for homicide!
He is Hispanic enough to join La Raza (The Race), so it’s not fair to say he is a member of the race which doesn’t exist (the white one … or “the gringos” if you’re a member of La Raza).
This kid, while he probably has some white in him, is not white. He obviously has native American features and I would say that he is non white Hispanic. It’s tricky because my grandmother was 100% German and she was olive complected- but looked nothing like this guy.
Our glorious leaders have taught us for many years that Hispanics and whites are separate groups. Every Hispanic I have ever met in any part of the country sees themselves as Hispanic, not white. Now everyone is talking that this guy is a ‘white Hispanic’. Seems different people use different labels when is suits their agenda.
in Latin American countries, there are numerous ethnic and racial discourses categorizing the Indigenous people, the people of African descent, and the people of European (Spaniard, Portuguese, etc.) descent.
a large chunk of Latin American immigrants to the United States are actually considered blanco (“white”) in their country of origin (whether that be Mexico, Cuba, Ecuador, Venezuela, etc. etc.), yet when they arrive in the USA, they are considered “Hispanic” or “Latino” because, even though they may be of European descent and appear to be a white-skinned or light-skinned person with European/white/Caucasian features, their Latino/Hispanic background, Spanish or Portuguese language skills (and accent, if they are first-gen immigrants), and Hispanic/Latino cultural background all differentiate them from the Ango-Saxon and Nordic white Americans.
it’s seeming like George Zimmerman was Cuban American. a lot of Cuban-Americans are “white” Cubans (like Marco Rubio), and some of those ultra-right-wing white Cuban-Americans are extremely racist against black and brown people (whether black/brown people in Cuba, in the USA, or wherever).
the term “white Hispanic” has been used in the US census. Hispanics must mark “Hispanic” for their ethnicity, then they must mark either “white”, “black”, “Asian/Pacific Islander”, or “Native American / American Indian” or “Other” for their race. a lot of Hispanics mark “white”, while many others mark “Other race”. some Latinos believe that “Latino” should be considered a “race” in the US census alongside white, black, Asian, Pacific Islander, and Native American. but, as events like this Zimmerman-Martin case attest, that may not be possible. even though people like Zimmerman could be targeted with xenophobia/racism by Anglo white people who have grudges against Hispanics, “white Hispanics” like Zimmerman can also harbor racism against black (and brown) people. some white Hispanics may also want to assimilate more into the Anglo white mainstream. complicated stuff.
there is also the “mestizo” discourse of mixed-raced Latinos. several Latin American societies are majority mestizo.
mainstream US racial-ethnic discourses have failed to adequately account for the complexity of Latino/Latin American identity, which is why there is so much confusion throughout the internet, blogosphere, TV, and other media in how to talk about George Zimmerman’s race/ethnicity. but as Latinos/Hispanics continue to increase in numbers and in political power, it’s inevitable that US racial-ethnic discourses are going to be increasingly transformed in order to accommodate and come to terms with the emerging Latino majority.
….but enough of this. overshadowing this entire discussion of the complexity of Latino/Hispanic identity is the horrific murder of Trayvon Martin by a deeply troubled and racist man who is STILL NOT IN JAIL for murdering an UNARMED TEENAGER WITH SKITTLES. i am so appalled and disgusted that the Sanford police (who described Zimmerman as “white”, by the way) has NOT ARRESTED HIM. i heard some of Trayvon’s screams in the some of those 911 calls on TV a while ago, and i am so disturbed, horrified, saddened… wat the hell is wrong with our country. i pray for Justice for Trayvon Martin.
Thank you so much for this post!!
Yes, this is the little known truth of Latin America. This is the myth of the racial democracy. Really, white is considered the top of a racial hierarchy which perpetuates blackness on the bottom. However, white is not expressed in North American terms. I agree with you. I have traveled throughout Latin America and racism against blacks is widespread. This has unfortunately permeated Florida, specifically South Florida.
Cubans aren’t white. Sorry. They may call themselves white, but they still face discrimination so for the purpose of discussing racism they are non-white.
You are wrong! I am a white Hispanic. My skin is pretty much fair and freckled. This does not make me Irish, but I am indeed Hispanic. Get this, I am also of Jewish faith. OMG! What do we do now? Hispanic is what the US Census calls us, it is a term made up by bureaucratic policy to count people, thus creating congressional seats. Why is everyone so quick to believe that they have the Patent on ethnicity? We don’t, we fret over this as if we have ownership, as if being classified as a part of a group is favorable. I am not proud to be a Hispanic. I am proud to be a good member of my community who happens to be from Puerto Rico, I share my ethnicity every chance that I get, because I am proud of it. I love my heritage and I love my family, but when we stop labeling ourselves and others will we only begin to measure the impact that labels have on people, communities and our children. If you want to see racism end, then stop labeling us as a member of a race and lets just all be members of (1) human species, which is actually what we are, as we all share a similar mitochondrial strand of DNA. That is right puppies an gals. We all share the original “mother”.
As I read more and more about this travesty, I’m more and more baffled and appalled. I doubt that, if it was a white teenager that Zimmerman would have shot. It is deeply ingrained in our culture that a black male adolescent is somehow up to no good, while a white one might get a pass. Travon, walking while black, did what anyone would recommend to a child approached by a menacing stranger: run or fight back.
I can’t stomach the thought that some thug can walk around your house “patrolling,” kill a kid, and not even get arrested. The greater horror of this, beyond the callous murder, is the almost flippant attitude of the police force–and the horrifying lack of concern for life in Florida, as measured by that “Shoot First” law.
“my son is hispanic and not racist”. what does that even mean? it’s impossible to be racist if you’re categorized as a minority? isn’t that statement pretty racist in and of itself?
Studies in the UK link low IQ, racism and conservative (not necessarily right-wing political) views. Not all racists are dummies/conservatives any more than all social conservatives are necessarily dummies and/or racists, it’s just that in many cases where you find one, the other two (according to these two studies) seem to form the rest of the picture. Zimmerman’s daddy can’t be blamed for trying to refute the knee-jerk assumption that his unspeakable son is a racist. But at the very least George is a bored, nosey, paranoid, unstable, self-important, gun-toting attention seeker. Trayvon Martin is dead because of it. Florida, and the other 49, should disarm the Zimmermans of this world. Make carrying a firearm illegal and strictly apply the harshest penalties to offenders. Your right to bear arms isn’t worth the death of one single kid.
WHO CARES ABOUT RACE?
Zimmerman wanted to shoot someone. That’s why he went out on neighborhood watch with a gun, when the gun range was not enough he wanted to feel what it felt like to shoot someone. This is not uncommon, some people who being to purchase weapons end up shooting another person just because they become obsessed with what it feels like to fire at a live person.
That is why he followed this kid after he was told not to. Not because Martin was a threat, not because Martin was endangering anyone else, just because Zimmerman knew he had a gun and he wanted to shoot someone with it.
Race is not what this story should be about. Think about it.
This was a race issue if you listen to the 911 call you can hear Zimmerman call this little boy a fu**ing coon and just because you are of a mixed race doesn’t mean you can’t be racist. There are blacks who are racist against other blacks. But yeah listen to the 1st 911 call and about a min and 50 to 54 in you can hear it.
Race is part of this tragedy, of course.
But it is also another story in the saga of idiots with guns, of which there are far too many in the world and this country, and the Right and the NRA make sure we can never get rid of them.
Their “right to bear arms” seems to trump our “right to the pursuit of happiness.”
Really Linda? The right wing and NRA’s stance on the right to bear arms is responsible? People like Zimmerman who have bad intentions will ALWAYS have guns…so good people should be able to protect themselves and have the right to own a gun themselves. It wasn’t the guns fault Treyvon was murdered!…it was Zimmermans! That’s like u blaming the keyboard for your ignorant post…its the person using it.
I echo the remark that it’s crap to thik that just because Zimmerman is Hispanic that he couldn’t be rascist. I too live in South Florida, and Cubans, especially the white ones are more racist that some of the regular white folk I know. The bottom line is this–Zimmerman called 911 and was told NOT to follow the boy. He did so anyway. After the 911 calls were released, Zimmeran lies saying that it’s him screaming in the background when you can clearly hear it’s the boy. He had a gun–the boy did not. How can you claim self defense when you follow someone who is unarmed??!!!
Spot On..Couldn’t have said it better myself. Exactly how I feel and that person screaming and pleading in the background of the 911 call clearly is a boy not a man! I cried when I listened…chilling! Hope ZImmerman is eventually arrested and charged. Let a jury decide if he is innocent or guilty.
“At no time did George follow or confront Mr. Martin. When the true details of the event became public, and I hope that will be soon,” the letter from Robert Zimmerman said, “everyone should be outraged by the treatment of George Zimmerman in the media.”
I would like for a news organization to play the 911 call for Zimmermans father, especially the part where you can hear him getting out of the car and the dispatcher says are you fllowing him, and Zimmerman says “yeah”
That alone makes this letter BS
@Nichelle: I lived in South Florida for 15 years and anybody who has not seen the racism the Cuban Elite of Calle Ocho use on a constant basis has to be blind or ignorant or just plain stupid.
The Cubans and other white Hispanics have never hidden their racism. The actions of William Lozano, for example.
Will anybody ever forget the DISGUSTING treatment given to Nelson Mandela by WHITE CUBAN politicians such as Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Xavier Suarez, Jose Carollo and Tomas Regalado. No doubt if Zimmrman was from Little Havana, they’d be treating him as a hero.
I get that you’re angry and you have every right to be, but don’t you think that’s an over-generalization?
Are you married to an Italian?….
No. My maiden name is Virella. It comes from Puerto Rico (via Basque) like my grandfather.
I am a “White Hispanic” and I will tell you that you are right on the money with your comment. I have grown up around White Hispanics and the majority of them are big time bigots and they use the “Hispanic” part of that label to blur their bigotry when they get caught in the act of bigotry, by saying: “Ay Dios, how can I be a bigot if I am a Hispanic?”.
He is.not white Stevie Wonder could see that. He is.clearly Hispanic and hes going down
FYI: White people can be Hispanic. http://www.census.gov/population/estimates/rho.txt
yes, it’s definitely true that hispanics can be white, black, indian or a combination of the 3. That being said this guy is definitely not white racially. He is clearly more indian than white but people want him to be white. Just like the poor kid was stereotyped as a threat people want to stereotype this guy as a typical white racist. The fact is he is a racist but not a white racist.
Absolutely, we have to think beyond North American constructions of race.
Yes. It is an ongoing problem especially in the police department here. But it is pervasive in S-Florida.
First of all rest in sweet peace Trayvon Martin. Like all the rest who see this my heart grieves for the loss of a young man at the sake of senselessness. But, secondly I am not sure what George Zimmerman being Hispanic has to do with anything. Because he is Hispanic, he can’t be racist. I invite you to come to Florida, specifically Miami, where more unarmed black men have been shot by a largely white Hispanic police force. Unfortunately, the image of black men, or young men by too many is negative and stereotypical. It allows them not to see persons but rather manifestations of their own stereotypical and racist beliefs. I am an African-American living in South Florida and I have experienced more racism than I have ever felt in any other part of the country. The concept of “mestizaje” affirms that black is bad. My heart goes out to his family, his friends and too all who are suffering because of his loss. May he rest sweetly in the arms of peace and may this nation and other nations get its act together and see fellow human beings and not our own racist notions.
Zimmerman is not racist, he just thinks a black kid wearing a hoodie is suspicious enough to chase down and shoot? Yeah, right.