Very Big Board.
I am speaking of the late Trayvon Martin and his recently acquitted killer, George Zimmerman.
Non-Blacks – tend to say that race played no part in this young chap’s death.
Blacks, on the other hand, say race had everything to do with it.
And the Blacks are correct, but not for the reasons you might think nor for the ones they espouse.
The ‘racist’ dye leading to this unfortunate incident was cast when the first slave arrived on America’s shores in the early 1600s.
And we all know the history leading up to Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. Slavery was abolished from that day forward but had to await the end of the Civil War in 1865 to see it put into effect in the Confederacy.
Blacks though continued to be treated as lesser citizens, until the passage of the Civil Rights Legislation in the 1960s, most especially in the old south.
Since then, White America has moved on – racism is no longer rampant amongst them but sadly it continues to fester within the Black Community itself. Tragically, many Blacks harbour feelings of hate and ill will against their White Brothers.
And who can blame them; how would we feel if our ancestors had been held in slavery for over 250 years? And how would we feel being the brunt of racism well into the last century?
But, as is the case of with our natives here in Canada, resentment against Whites only serves to keep them from fully participating in society – and most especially, economically. Blaming Whites gives them a scapegoat, but does nothing to alleviate their problems; and boy do they have problems.
So given this hatred, coupled with the following statistics, who can blame Whites for fearing their Black Brothers?
- 55% of all crime is committed by Blacks although Blacks make up only 13% of America’s population;
- 75% of all serious crime is committed by Blacks;
- 70% of black children are being raised without fathers;
So what exactly does this have to do with a young Black being killed in the streets of Miami some 150 years after the Emancipation Proclamation?
One need go no further than to consider the reaction of Whites and Blacks following Trayvon’s shooting:
- White America came out saying let the judicial decide the facts and determine whether or not Zimmerman was guilty.
- The Black Leadership – the Reverends Al Sharpton, and Jesse Jackson came out quickly to say how this was just another case of a white racist killing a defenceless black person. (This despite the fact that Zimmerman’s physical appearance is Hispanic).
- And not to be out-done, the little guy in the White House too piled on saying that young Trayvon was just like the son he never had - suggesting thereby that Trayvon was faultless in bringing about his own death.
(Imagine you or I facing a murder charge here in Canada believing in our innocence and out comes the most powerful figure in our land – the Prime Minister to say he personally believed in our guilt before we were even tried!)
Zimmerman was part of Community Watch an organization which has sprung up right across America, along with Gated Communities. And an organization deemed necessary due to America’s high crime rate – one in which Blacks overly participate in.
On the night Trayvon Martin died, Zimmerman was trying to do his civic duty, but he made a mistake which would end badly.
After he called 911, he continued to follow Martin when he should backed off and let the police takeover. In the end he was found not legally guilty but he most assuredly was morally to blame and he – as they say – will have to live with that for the rest of life.
But the evidence at trial showed that Zimmerman was no racist but rather if there was some minor racism evidenced that night – it was on the part of young Trayvon who called his follower at one point a “creepy ass cracker”. But then again, here was a kid who innocently was out that evening buying some skittles. I would have probably called Zimmerman worse.
So for me, racism was not that evident on the part of either fellow.
But yes it was indeed present, it began hundreds of years ago and has hung on through great diligence and efforts on the part of Blacks and their Leaders.
Perversely, racism gives their Leaders power to address boogie men when they should be addressing the very real problems that affect their people and racism excuses Blacks generally from for their failure to successfully integrate into modern society.
(If this is not the case – just ask yourself why immigrants of colour – especially those from South East Asia as well a Hispanics, do so well economically?)
So while White Society and American Society generally has moved on, Blacks continue to wallow in self pity. It may be understandable, but it certainly does not help them in their cause for equality.
All the while, two star crossed actors played out their insignificant roles, ending with a preordained finish.
As I see it…
‘K.D. Galagher’
