Black Kid killed for being black

[jimnyc]

If people would actually read the facts of this case, they would find that there is little racism involved. It's more about a guy who wanted desperately to be a hero. Someone who, as a member of a "neighborhood watch," had called 911 close to 50 times in the space of a year. A guy who called 911 to report a "suspicious person" walking in his gated neighborhood. When asked by the 911 dispatcher not to do anything further, he pursued an unarmed kid and shot him.
It is also an indictment of a flawed Florida law that states than anyone can claim "self defense" for any reason and use deadly force.
This isn't a story of black kid who was shot. It is the story of a KID who was shot. A 14 year old boy who was someone's son.
Perhaps that doesn't matter to you. After all, it wasn't your kid. Though it could have been.

Not a single person here condemned the kid. He was 17, not 14. Many here simply argued that the killing wasn't JUST based on race, or race at all based on the facts. Other than that, I agree with the rest of your post.

[darin]

If people would actually read the facts of this case, they would find that there is little racism involved. It's more about a guy who wanted desperately to be a hero. Someone who, as a member of a "neighborhood watch," had called 911 close to 50 times in the space of a year. A guy who called 911 to report a "suspicious person" walking in his gated neighborhood. When asked by the 911 dispatcher not to do anything further, he pursued an unarmed kid and shot him.
It is also an indictment of a flawed Florida law that states than anyone can claim "self defense" for any reason and use deadly force.
This isn't a story of black kid who was shot. It is the story of a KID who was shot. A 14 year old boy who was someone's son.
Perhaps that doesn't matter to you. After all, it wasn't your kid. Though it could have been.

You are sort-of right, however you grossly mischaracterize the Florida law.

The story will probably be about a young kid who physically assaulted a guy attempting to question him, then gets shot in the scuffle.

[Dilloduck]

If people would actually read the facts of this case, they would find that there is little racism involved. It's more about a guy who wanted desperately to be a hero. Someone who, as a member of a "neighborhood watch," had called 911 close to 50 times in the space of a year. A guy who called 911 to report a "suspicious person" walking in his gated neighborhood. When asked by the 911 dispatcher not to do anything further, he pursued an unarmed kid and shot him.
It is also an indictment of a flawed Florida law that states than anyone can claim "self defense" for any reason and use deadly force.
This isn't a story of black kid who was shot. It is the story of a KID who was shot. A 14 year old boy who was someone's son.
Perhaps that doesn't matter to you. After all, it wasn't your kid. Though it could have been.

Do you enjoy trashing out hispanic people before you know their side of the story ? Sounds like a little racism to me.

[Wind Song]

If people would actually read the facts of this case, they would find that there is little racism involved. It's more about a guy who wanted desperately to be a hero. Someone who, as a member of a "neighborhood watch," had called 911 close to 50 times in the space of a year. A guy who called 911 to report a "suspicious person" walking in his gated neighborhood. When asked by the 911 dispatcher not to do anything further, he pursued an unarmed kid and shot him.
It is also an indictment of a flawed Florida law that states than anyone can claim "self defense" for any reason and use deadly force.
This isn't a story of black kid who was shot. It is the story of a KID who was shot. A 14 year old boy who was someone's son.
Perhaps that doesn't matter to you. After all, it wasn't your kid. Though it could have been.

Yes, it the story of a black kid who was shot. If the kid was white he wouldn't have appeared "suspicious looking". How can this guy claim "self-defense" when he aggressively chased the kid who was doing nothing wrong.

What was this idiot doing with a gun? How many "suspicious looking whites" had he called in to 911?

[Wind Song]

What this incident highlights the most is the screwed up, "Stand Your Ground" law.

[Kathianne]

If people would actually read the facts of this case, they would find that there is little racism involved. It's more about a guy who wanted desperately to be a hero. Someone who, as a member of a "neighborhood watch," had called 911 close to 50 times in the space of a year. A guy who called 911 to report a "suspicious person" walking in his gated neighborhood. When asked by the 911 dispatcher not to do anything further, he pursued an unarmed kid and shot him.
It is also an indictment of a flawed Florida law that states than anyone can claim "self defense" for any reason and use deadly force.
This isn't a story of black kid who was shot. It is the story of a KID who was shot. A 14 year old boy who was someone's son.
Perhaps that doesn't matter to you. After all, it wasn't your kid. Though it could have been.

From what I've read and I've been following since the day after the attack. The kid did nothing wrong to begin the labeling of being 'suspicious.' However, Zimmerman somehow deemed him so and called into the police, the dispatcher told him they'd send someone out, but after hearing he was 'following' told him to cease. He disregarded that.

The boy on cell tells a girl that he's being followed and is concerned. An altercation ensues and Zimmerman shoots the boy, who dies.

Seems to me that there should be enough for a grand jury to look at, Zimmerman was hurt. The boy is dead. Something happened, obviously.

Racial? That needs to be determined, but in any case, why was a 'neighborhood watch' member armed and why did he disregard the dispatcher's advice to stop following?

[Noir]

Looking past all the race stuff and whatnot - Am i to understand that a man shot an unarmed minor dead, who was not on his property, and has not even been charged?

[tailfins]

Looking past all the race stuff and whatnot - Am i to understand that a man shot an unarmed minor dead, who was not on his property, and has not even been charged?

Welcome to Florida, home of the hanging chad and Casey Anthony.

[DragonStryk72]

Looking past all the race stuff and whatnot - Am i to understand that a man shot an unarmed minor dead, who was not on his property, and has not even been charged?

Actually, he was arrested, but the article isn't clear as to the current status. Generally, when you are charged, there's an arraignment hearing where bail gets set, although the prosecution can lobby for bail to be denied in the case of flight risks or if there is a belief that the criminal will commit more crimes. If you can make bail, either by paying it yourself, or taking out a bail bond, then the cops have to release you, it's not up to them.

[SassyLady]

this is a sad story. Jeez .

The turks are right here, I find myself agreeing with these guys again.
This is a case where the kid was guilty of BBOB "being black on the street".
Many folks here won't buy it , for some reason it's hard to admit that when a lot a people see a young black male they automatically see a threat/criminal/lowlife and proceed to treat them as such until proven otherwise. this kid didn't get a chance to prove it.

Why is this, Rev? Tell us why society has evolved to this conclusion.

[Nukeman]

http://bjlacosteblogs.wordpress.com/...for-no-reason/

And we say racism doesn't exist in America.

Question for you... Were you there?? This is more convoluted story than this "BLOG" has to say.. The story I read had the young man "visiting" a friends house NOT outside his dads house... I read off a news site NOT a blog.......

Sanford police Sergeant David Morgenstern said the department stands by its investigation but welcomes help from any outside agency. FBI agent David Couvertier said the agency has been in contact with Sanford police and is monitoring the case.

'We are committed to having somebody review this to see if we made a mistake,' said Sanford Mayor Jeff Triplett. 'If we made missteps and there is something there, we will act accordingly'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...#ixzz1pgT5Q6ri

[DragonStryk72]

http://bjlacosteblogs.wordpress.com/...for-no-reason/

And we say racism doesn't exist in America.

Wait, you say that racism doesn't exist in America? I don't get where you think I ever said that, but I'm kind of shocked you did think it.

You know, I think an appropriate quote here would be from Chris Rock, "What ever happened to crazy?!"

Seriously, it can't be anything except racism?! Somebody shooting an unarmed person for no reason is clearly a mark of an unhinged mind, but you're too busy passing judgment to see that.

I also notice that despite your OP title, the actual truth is that the reason is never stated as to why Zimmerman opened fire. Oh, there's the part that rolls over to being an op-ed piece that throws conjecture, but nothing else.

So let's take this by the numbers shall we:

Before the police could arrive, Zimmerman shot and killed Martin.

Now, shooting an unarmed person, regardless of their race, is just wrong, so don't try and pull shit on me. The significance of this quote is the next one here:

Another issue is simply negligence. There is both negligence on behalf of Zimmerman and the Sanford Police Department, which did not immediately arrest Zimmerman

Um, how do they immediately arrest a man who shoots the person before the cops even get there? They did arrest him, and as long as he makes bail, then guess what? They don't have a choice, they have to let him go. But no, clearly it simply has to be negligence based on race. I love this assumption that the arresting officers are all white, btw. Way to not be racist at all on this one, because clearly there aren't any black police officers out there.

[DragonStryk72]

It appears that Sassy thinks racial profiling is justified.

Since this "stand your ground" law was enacted in Florida, in 2005, homicide murders have tripled.

How was racial profiling justified in this case? Was the boy carrying a knife, a gun? No, skittles and iced tea.

And I see we decided to skip my "The man's fucking crazy" thought, but that seems to follow your trend of only answering the points you feel are easily defended. Nowhere in your article does it state that there was racism involved, save for the op-ed of the author. You have no definitive proof of your claims, and it on you, not us, to prove your points that you asserted. You started this run, that means its on you to answer others. All this "Do your own reading" crap is just arrogance

[LuvRPgrl]

http://bjlacosteblogs.wordpress.com/...for-no-reason/

And we say racism doesn't exist in America.

Maybe you say it, but not me or anyone I k now

You want to turn back time to the Wild West? I don't.

some parts of it, yea

[Little-Acorn]

Maybe you say it, but not me or anyone I k now

If little windysong couldn't complain and whine while making no helpful suggestions, she'd have nothing to say at all.

That would be terrible, wouldn't it.