Trayvon's Parents Speak Out Regarding the Not Guilty Verdict Regarding Their Son's Killer (801 hits)
(CNN) -- Trayvon Martin's parents spoke out Thursday for the first time since George Zimmerman was acquitted in the death of their son. In interviews on the three network TV morning news programs, Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin assailed the verdict and the Zimmerman defense team's argument that the killing was in self-defense during an attack by the unarmed teenager.
Fulton told "CBS This Morning" she was "in a bit of shock" after the verdict. "I thought surely that he would be found guilty of second-degree murder," she said.On NBC's "Today," Fulton said the case is "sending a terrible message to other little black and brown boys -- that you can't walk fast, you can't walk slow. So what do they do? I mean, how do you get home without people knowing or either assuming that you're doing something wrong? Trayvon wasn't doing anything wrong."
Obama walks fine line on race, justice Rachel Jeantel: Trayvon wasn't hiding Tracy Martin told CBS he wants America to know that Trayvon "was a fun-loving child. Speaking to ABC's "Good Morning America," Martin added that he and Fulton did not find the verdict fair, "and of course it's devastating." "My first thought was shock, disgust," said Fulton. The parents also were asked about remarks by Juror B37, who told CNN she believes Trayvon Martin "played a huge role in his death." "I don't think she knows Trayvon," Fulton said on CBS. "Trayvon is not a confrontational person."
On ABC, she added that she wishes the six-woman jury "had an opportunity to really know who Trayvon was and to put that in context with what their decision was." The parents did not say whether they may file a civil lawsuit. ...
My Thoughts Re: George Zimmerman: The Verdict Is In!
The verdict came this past weekend; George is free to go, “You have no further business with the court.” The judge stated July 13th. Initially, I thought ok. Acquittal not even manslaughter, 1 year, nothing. I guess... I said something to my husband just prior to the judge getting seated that involuntary manslaughter should be what he (Zimmerman) gets but I didn’t think someone who hurt a child should be completely exonerated and unpunished, after all-- a child is dead. But I guess... acquittal is what its got to be???
I was heartbroken for not myself alone, but for Trayvon’s family. I hugged my own son who’s eight. I read a bedtime story as we do nightly. I must have hugged him a thousand and one times and watched him as he slept off during the story. I realize that in the following days, weeks, and months following the Zimmerman verdict that there will be a mixture of emotions and feelings not only from the African American community but across the globe and throughout the Diaspora with many who identify in some form or shape with what’s happened in America. The one thing I keep in mind is that the world may not be fair, but God is.
Moreover, discrimination is everywhere but so is the God of the cosmos and He’s looking at all that has happened concerning this case/verdict especially where the poor are concerned and He will not allow the shedding of an innocent’s child blood to go unpunished in this life nor the life to come. Poor people require those of us who are able to be accountable and lend their resources and talents so that the scales are balanced rather than tip unequally towards one side or the other. I have had to repent and ask God’s forgiveness for despising the poor (at times). “The poor we have with us always.” according to the Lord. We will be rewarded by God for what is done to help those people who are less fortunate than we are irrespective to whether they be our own relatives or close friends.
Furthermore, Trayvon, a youngster met a very tragic and untimely death at no fault of his own. It’s rather unfortunate that the jury of 6 women couldn’t see clearly enough that Trayvon was a child who feared for his own life and couldn’t identify with him but chose to identify themselves with Zimmerman instead, an adult male with more advantages over an unarmed child trying to stand his ground if that is even possible. The fact remains that no mother or father should be made to outlive their children. What led George Zimmerman to shoot an unarmed teenager is not something I can ever understand, but what I do know is that mistakes were made on both sides; however, Trayvon being at a significant disadvantage because he was a minor shouldn’t have been held responsible for his actions at his age. Zimmerman being an adult was not justified shooting and mortally wounding a child.
Simple.
Although Zimmerman may have gotten off, he’s not gotten away with murder contrary to what Trayvon’s mother stated. As parents of Black children, boys in particular we have to ensure that we give them the Life Skills such as communication, social, and educational skills to effectively and efficiently navigate the world in which they live in addition to providing them emotional support and understanding that will foster a lifelong bond of trust so that when they find themselves in trouble, they will call us first before calling any other person right after calling on Jesus. As a descendent of African slaves, I realize the limits of my own humanity but I’m fortunate that I was not taught to limit myself.
In closing, I would like one of the lessons that is gleaned from this situation will be that hopefully we as a Global community, will try to show more compassion and understanding to people outside of our own ethnic groups in order to foster empathy for others' situations and experiences. In that wise perhaps open, honest, and meaningful conversations can take place so that we can stop being fearful of one another to overcome the inequalities and inequities in this world. God bless the little children, Americans, and the people of the World.
