On February 26, 2012, 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was brutally murdered by zealous neighborhood watch activist George Zimmerman in Sanford, Florida. In response the Sanford Police Department did nothing of substance to arrest Zimmerman for his actions. The outrage that followed by millions of Americans reflected the sentiment of Chief Justice James Taney in the infamous Dred Scott Case of 1857 “that a Black man has no rights that a white man is bound to respect.” In this light, Americans, especially African-Americans, clearly viewed the Martin killing as a modern day lynching of a Black youth.
Thus, over the last four weeks there have been numerous rallies in Sanford and scores of protests throughout the nation, including marches in England, France, Germany, Ghana, South Africa, Jamaica, Brazil and Panama to name a few places. In fact, there is resolution being drafted in the United Nations on the Martin murder to cite the United States Commission for Human Rights, for violations against African-Americans. But, while there is an outrage—the response has been tamed and orchestrated by traditional so-called responsible Black leaders and local civic and political advocates.
Throughout the Martin protests a common theme has surfaced—“controlled nonviolence.” That is, don’t really show your “real and natural” anger. The advocates of passivity argue that this is the way of the late great civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. However, they ignore King’s most powerful weapon—“civil disobedience.” The concept is clear and exact, break laws and rules that are morally unjust. Well, that qualifies Florida’s Stand Your Ground Law. But, sadly the so-called leaders of the Martin Movement have discouraged such activities.
Recently, a potent fringe group—the Revolutionary Black Panther Party called for an economic boycott of Sanford. The RBBP understands that political change must come with decisive action and from a point of strength. One thing is certain—change is a power play that must be forced; it is not given. Fred Shuttlesworth, top aide to Martin King said it this way; “rattlesnakes don’t commit suicide—you must cut the head off to nullify the threat.” But, why is the movement in Sanford and Central Florida so eerily mild? The answer can be pointed to Martin King’s visitation to Tinker Field in Orlando in 1964; eight months after giving the “I Have a Dream” speech at the March on Washington.
In 1964 Rev. King brought the national civil rights campaign to Central Florida; more specifically Orlando. However, worse than in Birmingham, Alabama in April 1963 where he was criticized by white ministers and rabbis, that forced him to respond in the now famous “Birmingham Letter” that reprimanded the hypocrisy of the city’s clergy, in Orlando the opposition against him was disturbingly hurtful. In the “City Beautiful” King was not only repudiated by the white clergy, the media, and white civic leaders—but, also by the African-American leadership caste, especially Black ministers. Due to the coalition’s demonizing of King as a trouble maker less than 1,400 people attended the rally at Tinker Field. It would not be until the mid-1960s that Central Florida warmed up to civil rights activism and that was only when Fred Shuttlesworth, King’s warrior as many called him, led an aggressive non-violent civil disobedience campaign against Floridian apartheid in St. Augustine. The sad truth of the matter is that Florida illustrated itself as a great tourist destination and the African-American caste was controlled. Simply put, the tourist dollar is more important that the human rights of the African-American. That is, while there are civil rights unrest and civil disobedience in Georgia and Alabama for example, things in Florida are different; our Blacks are controlled, they know how to obey and follow the orders of the power elite. Sadly, almost 50 years later the same is said for the Martin protest movement in Sanford.
The struggle against Sanford’s corrupt city administration is not for the passive. It will not be won by slick slogans, nice speeches, prayer vigils, or marches. The victory will go to the ones who are direct, and understand that freedom and justice must be taken. Thus, if you are a true student of human rights advocates Harry T. Moore, Martin Luther King and Malcolm X, you are up for the fight. The Trayvon Martin fight for justice is bigger than Sanford; it is a struggle for human rights that goes beyond the confines of Florida and the United States. Freedom Now, Justice Forever!
Dr. Vibert White
The Intellectual Thug
Great post, with undeniable truth and facts. I agree the corrupt manner in which this entire case has been handled cannot be passively dealth with mere speeches and marches. Travon Martin life must and will not be in vain. My question is what are some more proactive nonviolent approaches can we take to ensure justice will be served. I also agree that this is a human right stuggle that indeed goes beyond Florida and the United States. Thanks for posting this timely article.
Dr. White,
I am very proud of this article. It is timely, historically accurate and has impact. The arguments you make are insightful and well supported, though I am concerned about the conclusions you draw. While I believe action is long overdue and words have run their course, I can’t say that I’m willing to turn my trust and command of the situation over to groups like the RBPP or others like them at this juncture. It’s not the controversy that concerns me and though I question some of the moves they wish to make, those also are not what fully give me pause. It is their type of anger. It is not righteous anger. Anger at this situation is justified…it’s necessary. It’s right. But anger has to be tempered with love always. And any organization that can not show with the fruits of their labor where the love is stemming their decisions and what they vocalize isn’t going to readily get my support. Shut down Sanford. That’s fine. Make demands and back up those demands with economic sanctions on the city and local governments until rights are restored and justice is served because green is really the only color that matters to most people. But in EVERYTHING that is done, there must be love at the root of the struggle, and when groups and individuals like the RBPP speak and make the comments they make and use the terms that they do, the love there is hard to find and that concerns me. Love itself is a fighting, most powerful force. It is not only peaceful and calming but also threatening and terrifying when agitated. Hatred, ignorant anger, violence and “revenge,” the latter a word I hear the RBPP use quite often, are all powerful and will all get the ball rolling. But love is the only one that will get it rolling faster and in the right direction.