By Karsceal Turner
Special to West Orlando News Online
Nearly 16 months ago, Trayvon Martin was doing what teenagers do. He was getting ready to scoff down some sugary snacks and hang out with his home girl. Today he is riding on high prematurely, because he was murdered after putting hands on the guy who stereotyped, followed, accosted and eventually shot him.
I watched the verdict just like the rest of you. When it was read I simply shook my head but I wasn’t surprised. My first thought was to trade places with Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin who lost their child before his dreams could be realized. They buried him and will watch his killer walk.
Thus is my assessment. I have a child. So my prayers are directed to the parents who will receive no justice. I watched on television, the unrest at the Seminole County Courthouse in Sanford. Again, I sent up prayers that the masses of people who look like me would not resort to rioting and destroying their own community in the name of justice for the fallen little brother.
My next thoughts quickly turned to the countless stories around urban areas across not only Sanford, Florida but Oklahoma City, Miami, Detroit, Chicago, Philadelphia, Los Angeles New York City and around this nation.
While they tried to spin the Zimmerman trial on the race card, how many Black parents have buried their children, who have murdered one another?
My thoughts return to the busted judicial system in the state of Florida, the same Florida which botched the presidential election twice, and the same Florida which acquitted Casey Anthony. I’ll dig deeper back to 1951 and say the same Florida where the Henry T. and Harriette Moore were firebombed in their home on Christmas Day. I would ask for an explanation of how a police agency neglects to apprehend immediately a suspect who has just taken a life. I would ask for an explanation of how six females, one of which is Hispanic can properly be classified as Zimmerman’s peers? I would ask why the charges didn’t fit the crime? I have lived in Florida half of my life so I can ask, why does it always have to be Florida? I’m just asking man.
Another thought is to think twice before wearing a hoodie – can’t have any wanna be police officers following me if I’m coming from 7-11 on a rainy night with some sugary snacks. …I like hoodies too.
So what have we learned here? I must say we have learned to be ever vigilant. We have learned to be certain our children do not resemble the stereotypical thug who may be shot in the name of self-defense. We have learned AGAIN that the judicial system is broke, lop-sided, and in many instances outdated. Take a look at how much drama it had to be just for regular proceedings to go about in the proper manner. Michael Baisden had to “put it on blast” on the radio while Al Sharpton had to lead a rally just to get police to take another look. But how is this different from all the other cities I mentioned and those I missed? Hopefully we have learned that targeting, rioting and burning down our own businesses and neighborhoods is no less than absurd. Indeed, we have learned people will try to twist and bend ANYTHING towards the racial card. This wasn’t Black vs. White.
My final thoughts return to Sybrina Fulton and Tracey Martin. I pray there are no senseless riots in the name of Trayvon across the nation. I pray for an end to the senseless Black on Black crime amongst Black people.
This is my forum to relieve steam and stress; sadly folks who would be out there acting the bloody fool would not check out my column. This leaves you, my devoted reader and patron to spread the word in your fashion. I leave you with this Twitter tweet from a distraught father to his slain son: Even though I am broken-hearted my faith is unshattered I WILL ALWAYS LOVE MY BABY TRAY.
