Today's Evil Beet Gossip

Stars React to the Trayvon Martin Verdict

trayvon martin

God, there’s not much in the way of good news this morning, is there? It’s sometimes hard to reconcile writing something as light-hearted and flippant  as celebrity gossip when something bigger and realer and far more important is happening in the world. So this is a bit of a cheat story – the horrendous injustice of the Trayvon Martin murder verdict (yes, that’s a “not guilty” for blatant murderer George Zimmerman, in case you live under a rock) may not be celebrity news, but stars reacting to it is, and I couldn’t NOT talk about this because it’s absolutely disgusting and a real sign of just how far this country still has to go on ending racism.

It’s sad that a young black boy walking to the store for a bag of skittles is considered a “threat” simply because of the colour of his skin. And yet, here we are – a child is dead and because he was black, the white man who shot him (it doesn’t matter that Zimmerman may not be “completely” white – he passes as such and that’s enough) goes home scott-free. Liberty and justice for all, indeed. So long as you’re not black. But I’ll stay of my soapbox here. Celebrities took to Twitter last night to express their outrage at the verdict (and Beyoncé, who was on stage in Nashville last night when the news broke, had a moment of silence for Trayvon). Is that celebrity enough for everyone?

RIP, Trayvon.

More behind the cut.


 

104 CommentsLeave a comment

  • I’m distraught, and I’m not even American. To see that son of a bitch walk free after murdering a child in cold blood… What is wrong with the world? Why are so many of us, white people, so full of hatred towards people of colour? It’s horrifying.

    • zimmerman is not white. he’s hispanic. I think the race war of white vs. black is a little ridiculous considering he’s not white. not that that matters. the media is turning this case into a race war. I think the majority of people commenting on the case did not follow or watch the trial and have no idea what the evidence actually showed. This is a tragedy that should have never happened. However this does not concern race more than what the media is trying to make it out to.

      • While I take issue with being told that Hispanic doesn’t equal white (since the original Hispanics come from Spain, in Europe –I would know, I’m from Spain and we’re all white over here–), I understand that in a US setting Hispanic doesn’t mean white. I also think Zimmerman isn’t white. However, Zimmerman’s dad is white and consequently he has white privilege as white-passing, light-skinned Latino with a non-Spanish name. You can be a person of colour and still be white-passing (Aubrey Plaza, Alia Shawkat). What he did was an antiblack, racist murder, and the reason he has been acquitted is because he has white privilege. Zimmerman’s friends and family have openly spoken about his racist attitudes towards Black people. You can spin it any way you want, he was absolved while the black man who shot a white teen in Florida because he was harassing his son has been sentenced to jail.

      • Anyone who wants to dismiss the racial implications in the Zimmerman trial is an ostrich with their head in the sand.

        When you have a trial like THIS going on at the same time ( http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/23/nyregion/23trial.html?_r=5_

        –A black man defending his son from a WHITE lynch mob and getting up to 15 years in jail for it–and the WHITE man walks free while the black man is thrown in jail?

        I don’t see how this is anything but a disgusting display of white privilege and a horrifying justification of a racist murder. And I say this as a white person.

      • Listen. I work at a criminal defense law office. I understand why people think that one race is getting privilege over another because of the media and what they choose to show, HOWEVER, each and every case is different and needs to be treated and trialed differently. In my personal experience the crime committed, the facts, and the defendants criminal history has more to do with how the defendants are treated more than their skin color. And i deal with this personally everyday not just seeing the cases the media shows.

        The case you linked to is not the same. Not the same facts and/or circumstances. The media is preying on the fact that it can be construed as such to create an unnecessary race war.

        Also Zimmerman has mentored a black teenager twice a week for a year and also was one of the only people to stand up for a homeless black man that was beaten up by a local police man’s son. Both facts that were not allowed in court because of trial rules but were released information from his family and friends (who by the way are in no way advocating he is racist so I don’t know where you got that)

        I don’t agree with what happened.Personally speaking I don’t think zimmerman should have had a gun and/or followed Treyvon however I do not think this was racially charged. I also understand why legally he was acquitted and why he should have been. The evidence doesn’t point to that at all if you watched or followed the entire trial and not just what fox says. I think the media is stirring shit up for the purpose of ratings.

    • You are about as smart as a rock!Get the facts straight.The kid was in attack mode.Jut thinkin he was bad.And how did you ever reach the conclusion that it was racially motivated?Zimmerman is part black too.Do yourself a favor and just read .

    • I used to have tremendous empathy for the African-American community and their plight over the past few hundred years. After seeing and hearing the backlash as a result of this verdict, I am beginning to think differently. I am now starting to see that it is the African-American community that are the true racists. They have no desire for true justice. Only what is beneficial to them and serves their own agenda. I am sick about this.

      • Here’s a question for the masses:

        WHY ISN’T THERE THIS KIND OF OUTRAGE WHEN A BLACK MALE KILLS ANOTHER BLACK MALE?

        WHY DO THE BLACKS SAVE IT FOR WHEN THE PERP IS WHITE (OR ASSUMED TO BE WHITE)?

        THERE IS YOUR “RACISM” IN A NUTSHELL. AND IT’S NOT COMING FROM THE WHITE FOLKS, PAL.

      • gypsy you dont know what you talking about places like chicago ,la etc etc always have marches and rallies for peace and non violence just cause fox news doesn’t report it doesn’t mean it’s not out there …….quit parroting talking points

  • The tragedy is not that George Zimmerman was found not guilty by the jury It is that a young man is dead and a family lost their son to yet more mind numbing gun violence in the USA Shame on those who want to turn this into a race thing.

    • oh COME ON. This was clearly a racist murder. Instead of burying our heads in the sand, why don’t we address the problem full-on and call it for what it is?? This kid was murdered because he was a Black child and the colour of his skin was suspicious enough.

      • Ure just another brainwashed retard who has no idea what actually “racism” means. Go live in Compton, honey and fraternize with those black thugs and savages. Dont say I didnt tell u….

      • What the fuck do you know about where I live you fucktrumpet. I’d rather live in Compton as you say with all those black thugs than surrounded by people like you.

      • What makes this so ridiculous is the fact that Zimmerman is part Black! People and all their conclusions ,when they don’t even know that facts!

      • Sorry Miree. On the 911 call, the dispatcher asked Zimmerman what race the guy he was following was. Zimmerman replied he couldn’t tell, because it was too dark out for him to tell. Guess that blows away the nonsense “racist” angle too many tried to bring up.

        In fact, the ONLY time race came into the picture, as proven by FACTS brought up by the prosecution, was by “lil Trayvon” and his “friend” who commented on the “cracker” following them. Cracker is a black slur against white folks here in the USA.

      • Mireee … you’re not very smart are you honey? Maybe you and Rachel Jeantell should take a class together … READING would be a good place to start. Followed up with a class in Reading COMPREHENSION. Because little honey, if you had READ and UNDERSTOOD the FACTS of this case, you wouldn’t be spewing forth this mindless drivel. Think about it.

      • I don’t get your point. You keep insisting that Zimmerman murdered Trayvon “in cold blood” but that is certainly not the case at all. As tragic as it is to have lost a young man who was just beginning his life, it does not take away from the facts of the incidents that took place. Their paths crossing the way that it did was not due to racism or anything at all, it was all coincidental with different perspectives that did not help them communicate which led to the beating and shooting.

        I’m sad for the both the individuals that were involved. I pray for them both!

      • Just in case you missed it… We are interested in having you as a guest on a radio program. Please reply if interested.

  • I was not on the jury, but what makes *you* think they got it wrong? What do you know that they don’t? The more I read, the more I see people saying, pretty much, “he is guilty…because…well… just because he is a young black boy and the other guy isn’t.” I have seen no coherent rational explanation *why* this is a miscarriage of justice.

    I only know what I read about this and frankly I don’t have a dog in this fight. If he was guilty, then I would be delighted a murderer was convicted. If not, I am delighted an innocent man was acquitted… but I am not privy to any information that the jury was not privy to. Are you?

  • All I can say is that if I was attacked, or if one of my daughters were attacked – or my husband – and we fought back, I would hope that the attacker couldn’t shoot us and claim self defense. But I live in Florida, so apparently I should just keep quiet and be assaulted without putting up a fuss lest I be shot “in self defense.”

    • If you’d watched the trial, you’d know Trayvon did the attacking. Every single witness backed Zimmermanns’ account.

      • Not one of you who believes the verdict was unjust either watched the trial or kept up with it thru the news sources. When you saw the headline on Feb 27, 2012: “White Man Shoots Unarmed Black Child To Death” by our unbiased media, you formed your opinions and never once wavered on them. And this despite having the trial broadcast LIVE everyday! If you did watch the trial and understood the FACTS, you would pick up your little soapbox, fold up your “Justice 4 Trayvon” poster and go home.

  • everyone is a expert with no facts i would of shot him if i was assaulted also white or black why is everything in this country about black or white there other races as well and it happens 2 them also its the media trying to make shit happen wake up people and yes i know i didnt use . ? ! or capitalize but this isnt a english class so get over it

  • If George Zimmerman hadn’t a “concealed carry” on him, he never would have followed that kid in the first place….against the dispatch police officer’s telling him to stay put. It’s about the insane gun lobby in this country and these stupid gun laws more than any other thing. If poor Trayvon Martin’s death can be made to count for something, pray that it can be the event that breaks the back of the NRA lobbyists and Barney Fife gun nuts in this country.

    • A 911 operator is not a police officer.

      FACTS: they sometimes get in the way of a good story.

      • actually a majority of the time they aren’t but sometimes they can be , depending on where you are.

      • Miryi is right, but don’t let THAT fact get in the way of YOUR stupidity, I mean, story. Ha! Ha!

    • Sorry you are deluded as to what country you live in and what the laws are in the State of Florida. All your whining just leads me to believe you are an ignorant fool ranting without acknowledging the FACTS presented in this case.

      Put your head back in the sand and try to educate yourself as to what the real world is about.

      • Blasted1 – typical moron. Can’t use FACTS to back up their argument, so you concede your stupidty with that comment. Bravo. Maybe YOU need to wake up and take YOUR head out of your ass to realize you live in the USA, not Mexico, China or Russia. You know, those gun-free bastions of freedom that losers like you normally live.

  • Libtards in action is all I can say…. Zimmermann did nothing but defended himself. Deal with it.

    • I used to consider myself liberal, until I realised I had too much reason and logic to be grouped with all these other fucks, who refuse to address the 600lb elephant in the room.

  • “It does not matter that Zimmerman may not be completely white–he passes as such and that’s enough”.

    That is about as fucked up a statement as I’ve read. You’ve seen his skin, so you know his heart. You are the racist you so ignorantly claim Zimmerman is.

    • Amen to that. This kind of racist is probably even worse than the direct, obvious kind. Some people are an embarrassment to themselves.

    • What in the hell does his skin colour have to do with his heart (which he hasn’t got, I’m afraid, since he saw it fit to shoot a 17-year-old UNARMED boy with no remorse, but that’s besides the point) – and how in the hell is it racist to note that he passes for white? In the eyes of society, “passing” gains you a whole lot of ground – and in fact, sometimes even a murder acquittal.

      Love that this story has made all the racists come out to play, though. Well done, everyone – this country is certainly going places! *eyeroll*

      • Sorry Jennifer. Maybe you need to review the trial story and realize there is a reason he was acquitted – Trayvon decided to attack HIM. It was proven at trial – sorry you can’t wrap your mind around that FACT. But then again, liberals don’t like to be wrong, even when the facts are against them – they just know better.

        By the way, the only ones mouthing racist crap during this incident was Trayvon and his “friend” he was talking to on the phone.

  • if indeed trayvon did attack why isn’t that self defense? some stranger is following you around and you won’t stand your ground? I do so on a regular basis I pay no mind to skin I see only people . I am a white woman and I have come under racist attacks before due to the fact my skin was the color it is. There will never be an end to racism and people will use it as a spring board for as long as they can. However I do believe Zimmerman should NOT have been set free if anything he should have been charged with manslaughter, He was told to stay put and he CHOSE to not listen and to confront or follow Trayvon the death of Trayvon is a result of his choice as well as Trayvon’s IF trayvon did attack him.

    • LOL. Maybe you need to read the newspapers that detailed why he was acquitted. Your ignorance and illogic is astounding.

  • This is really becoming a joke. The true racists are coming out in droves and showing their true (black) color. These are the same ignorant A-holes that were cheering when OJ got acquitted for murdering 2 white people. I guess the system doesn’t work for you when the decision goes against you. The facts are the facts. Watch the trial! Read the news! Get informed before spouting your nonsensical B.S. Or maybe you simply can’t read as is the case with the prosecutions “star” witness. The only injustice with the verdict was that it took too long. I hope Z makes $10 million in his suit against NBC for manipulating his story and creating a racial issue out of this whole thing. Shame on the liberal media for their role in trying to paint an innocent man to be something he is not!

    • Couldn’t agree more EmTee. Since when does a Wanna-Be Thug become the poster-boy for the civil rights movement? I guess it shows how misguided the black community has become.
      Leaving now to pick up my “I Am George Zimmerman” T-shirt at the printer.

  • I understand the outrage of the masses, but I think the message they are sending during the protests is getting in their own way. What people should be upset about is the Stand Your Ground Law, this is why he was found not guilty. In FL, it’s legal to follow a suspicious person in your car, get out while carrying a gun, and then when a confrontation happens and you think you are about to be killed, you are allowed to kill the person you confronted. That’s legal and that’s what is outrages. Making this specifically about race is not going to help. What’s happening is that SYGL is used in an unfair way in the justice system, which is already unbalanced on how convictions and jail terms are handed out based on your skin color. If the message was articulated without hype and we really focused on facts, I don’t think anyone could agrue.

    • Sorry to burst your bubble, but the nonsense you just spouted had NOTHING to do with this trial. Maybe you can try to improve your reading comprehension skills and bother reading the stories that detailed the trial evidence. But that might require you to take off your tin foil hat, right?

      • chuck, i have noticed that all u do is read pple’s comment and try to force down ur own opinion on them, every1 is entitiled to their own opinion, i dont know anything about this case, nor do i wish to because its just too sad, i can just imagine how hard it was for the family to sit thru the trial, the fact remains that a boy was shot, whether black or white does not matter to me, but u keep mentioning that trayvon attacked zimmerman but that is based on what he(zimmerman) said, nobody knows what really happened between d both of them, n if there were witnesses, dey could have helped zimmerman restrain d boy, n if he had waited 4 d police, this tragedy would have been avoided, he took d law into his hands, i dont care what he said, but dat boy didnt have to die, it’s just so sad n my deepest condolences to his family, and i believe that what goes around comes, nobody should get away with killing, esp a child, he dosent need to spend the rest of his life in prison, just long enough to acknowledge that he robbed a young man his future and he should neva take d law into his own hands, there re people trained for it. n he better apologise to that family, even if it changes nothing, it’s a start.

      • Uh, Lily, did you bother to look at the pictures of Zimmerman’s injuries? They back up his story of having his head hitting the pavement.

        As for your comment about me forcing my opinion on others, maybe others need to expect that writing nonsense will get others to call “bullshit” on them.

        However, I do understand your concern for Trayvon’s family. And in a perfect world that allowed “do-overs”, I can guarantee you that both Trayvon and George would handle things much differently if they could.

  • I read in paper that Zimerman is referred to as a “white-hispanic” because he has white blood in him. More labels to incite public anger. For the US census report, he is considered “hispanic” not “white-hispanic”. This is done only to paint it as a black-white race issue by media. I am hispanic and even I find this offensive. I guess that makes Obama a “white-black” since his mother was white.

    • Good point Ruiz. Obama should be referred to not as the first “BLACK” President but rather the first “WHITE-BLACK” President!

      • i think you’re missing ruiz’s point. “color” does not matter, dear humans. it’s just skin pigment. shouldn’t be dividing us.

  • Rather than sit in the comfort of their multi-million dollar estates and tweet about the injustices of this trial and society in general, why don’t the so-called “stars” Rowland, Hudson, Minoj, Rihanna, Will.I.Am, etc. get out in the communities and talk to youths about gangs, guns and violence? Hello? It’s not the George Zimmermans of the world killing off the black youths in our communities. Get a clue. Use your fame / name to have a positive impact on the youth in our communities. Put your tweeters and microphones down and actually DO SOMETHING TO HELP!!

  • Stop and Frisk now extends from the police to anyone with a gun, that’s the ultimate message of this trial. any non-black man with a gun can now stop and question any black man who they deem suspicious. and if that confrontation results in the death of the black man (or boy in this case), there is now high-profile legal precedent that they are not responsible. just being black is now enough to cause someone to “fear for their life” and satisfy that requirement of self-defense laws. wish i remembered who, but someone i read said that the danger of this verdict isn’t that it would create more riots but that it would create more george zimmermans.

    and everyone who’s saying the justice system worked, that there was never enough evidence to convict zimmerman, you’re conveniently forgetting that there was never enough evidence because sanford PD never bothered to collect it. they never treated zimmerman like a suspect or trayvon like a victim. they saw an unidentified dead black kid on the ground, took some pictures, asked zimmerman some questions, took his word for it, gave him his gun back and sent him home that night. it was only the next day they learned the dead black kid belonged in the neighborhood, and even then they still didn’t bother to investigate.

    how long was it before they talked to the girl who was on the phone with trayvon? a month? by the time they started investigating– forced to by public pressure– the physical evidence was gone, memories were clouded, and zimmerman had time to polish and coordinate his story with his lawyers and his neighbors. the justice system did not work. and how in a racially diverse community like sanford does zimmerman somehow end up with a “jury of his peers” of six women, five of them white? because we live in a society where the prosecution and the defense– like prosecutions and defenses all over the country– both agreed that only white jurors could be impartial, while black jurors would be biased. no. the justice system did not work.

    whether or not there was sufficient evidence to convict zimmerman is irrelevant. there should have been. he was the self-appointed neighborhood watch captain and he ended up killing one of the neighborhood kids. read that sentence again, and picture him doing that to a white kid in a white neighborhood. think about how he would be treated by the police, who would immediately assume the white kid belonged there and investigate accordingly. think about how he would be treated by a jury, who wouldn’t give him every possible benefit of the doubt as to who started the fight, who was on top of who, who said “you’re gonna die tonight” or whatever nonsense zimmerman made up that doesn’t pass the first smell test unless you naturally think yeah that sounds like something black kids say, who had whose bail revoked for lying to the court because he’s a liar, and every other assumption of innocence zimmerman got that were NEVER proven. the justice system here did not work, it absolutely did not work, and no one should stop fighting until it does.

      • Sorry John. Based on TRAYVON’s background, I’d say it’s entirely plausible that HE was the aggressor and made threats. Or maybe you choose to ignore the fact that he had already been in trouble numerous times and was having to spend more time with his father because mommy had lost control?

      • what about george zimmermans assault on a police officer.
        what make george statements so credible in your eyes …you need to re read my above statement again you are missing something .

  • @john: You got it, friend. You got it all.

    It really says something about white privilege that the still living and free man with and a history of violent aggression swept away by daddy who also manages to personally pay nothing for his legal fees is acquitted is still the ‘victim’. Interesting that so many people are bringing up O.J.–if you have to go 20 years into the past to bring up a counter-argument to the ‘law has a way of catering to white people’ phenomenon, you’re thriving! If people of colour could even dream of that kind of luxury, whatever, they needn’t bother.

    Der Kommissar already flunked out of police academy and now the word is that he has plans to flunk out of law school, so…no one make any sudden moves. You sound like an intelligent and thoughtful man, so I’m sure your kid will pick that up from you. What can I even say, but hold your ethics close and your son closer…and get in any votes that you can while you’re still allowed to cast them.

    What a summer this has been, hm? Abortions for all? Miniature American flags?

  • Though I dispute your view of the evidence- ie injuries to GZ and not TM- I do appreciate your argument. Thank you for not muddying your thoughts with the dirt of racism and name calling. I believe the verdict was right. I am truly saddened by the death of this young man. But he was a young MAN, NOT an innocent little boy. When he chose to turn the tables and pursue an unknown person in the night, the act became his. One should never push for violence without understanding that it may lead to more than one intended. When TM’s friend stated that he followed GZ while still on the phone, that began his own culpability. No one should have to bury their own child. No one should use that death to divide our nation with racism where it doesn’t exist in an effort to sell ads or gain political footing. It is sickening to see so many lined up to hawk their brands over the suffering of these families. Yes, plural. Because if GZ had a name like Ramirez no one would have jumped on the story so quickly and his family wouldn’t be riding out this media storm. The activists would be ignoring he Martins just like the thousands of families around the country who deal with tragedies without a single phone call from fame hungry reverends or power hungry polititions.
    And this is from a father of two boys. All of us are adopted and aren’t sure what race(s) define us. Pray for all those who are grieving through this.

  • Kudos to Beyonce for paying tribute to Trayvon by singing, “I Will always THUG You” at her concert. And for having a moment of silence so the audience can reflect on how the gangsta lifestyle can git yoself kilt and how to become positive contributing members to our society.

  • These so-called ‘stars’ are complete tools perpetuating rascism. GZ and TM both fucked up in persuing each other. TM put GZ on the ground in a defensless position while hitting his head onto the sidewalk. He made the choice to shoot to save his life. It is unfortunate. TM shouldve just gone home instead of confronting GZ with a suckerpunch in the face. And just for the record, miley cyrus is an embarrassing to America douchebag.

  • Lets understand something – this was not a TRAGEDY. A SHAME – yes. But a TRAGEDY? Not in the least. A Tragedy is when an innocent person or people lose their life or suffer great bodily harm due to an act of God or event they had no contriol over. The events of 9/11 was a TRAGEDY. Get it? Both of these individuals – TM and GZ had control over their actions and made choices that had influence over the outcome. It’s a shame that a large percentage of the population seems to have the attitude that members of a certain race are never responsible for their actions. Point the finger and the blame at someone, some race, some nationality, some organization, etc. It’s easier that way.

  • I have 2 questions: 1. If Zimmerman was told by the police not to pursue this young man, why did he? (Mr. Law office employee, isn’t that a form of not following protocol/directions given by the police?), why wasn’t that brought up in court? 2. If Zimmerman was so afraid for his life why didn’t he just return to his car and wait for the police to arrive. “PEOPLE THIS WAS A CRIME OF RACIAL PROFILING” no matter how you look at it and a “CHILD” lost his life because an ignorant, punk ass bitch wanted to be cocky. Did he think he Trayvon was going to beat him to death with a bag of skittles and a can drink? Neighborhood Watch my ass, none of our Neighborood Watch people carry guns. They do what they are taught to do. Call the police and wait for them to come. We are the majority and you can keep trying to get rid of us any way you like but believe it or not “OUR DAY WILL COME.” What goes around comes around and Zimmerman’s judgement day will come sooner than he thinks. As the saying goes, “when you least expect it.”

    • Paradyne – your day may come when and if you lose the victim / thug / gangsta mentality. “Poor me” has gotten you affirmative action laws and you have reaped other such benefits because of what your ancestors had to endure many years ago. That “victim” mentality will not get you out of the ghetto and off of welfare. Revenge against “crackers”, as your threat implies, isn’t going to do it either. At some point you have to take responsibility, stand on your own two feet and make something of yourself … both as an individual and as a race. Oprah proved it can be done. Steve Stoute (look him up) proved it can be done. Your threats confirm that you have a long way to go before “our day” truly comes.

      • Wow, its amazing that you would assume that I was of black descend because of my comment. I’m not black nor am i on welfare. I am entitled to vent just as everyone else and my comments are just what they are comments/my opinion. Stop trying to determine who is black or white on this site. This was created for us to give our own opinions and how we feel and that’s what I did. If you don’t like it that’s your problem not mines. It’s called “FREEDOM OF SPEECH.” Oprah and Stoute are amazing people but what’s your excuse?

      • Stop the B.S. First off, I was not directing any of my comments to YOU, Anonymous. Unless of course, you are commenting under two names – Paradyne and Anonymous. I am no idiot. If you, whomever you are, are not black as you claim, then who are you referring to when you say, “We are the majority and you can keep trying to get rid of us any way you like but believe it or not “OUR DAY WILL COME.”? Certainly not coming from a white person.
        Here’s a hypothetical for you: you live in a mixed community, there were 4 house breakins withing a 2 block radius recently; all by white teenagers wearing white T-shirts and shaved heads. So youre driving thru that area and you see a white teenager wearing a white t-shirt with a shaved head talking on a cell and walking, not on the sidewalk but on the grass in front of people’s homes, in the rain, looking around and carrying something in a small grocery bag. You’re telling me the thought wouldn’t cross your mind that “Hey, something don’t look right here. I’m gonna watch this guy and see what he’s up to.” Under your definition, is that not racial profiling? If you called the police and that white teen screamed “RACIAL PROFILING” would he be correct? NO!! Oh it’s “profiling” alright – CRIMINAL PROFILING. Just as in the TM – GZ case!

  • Venture to say, it probably was more than just a ‘shame’ for TM’s parents. -Get it? Good.

    • No doubt. They seem like good people. Maybe they could have done a better job in raising Trayvon so he didn’t have such a thug mentality.

      Bill Cosby wrote something about the underlying problem. Do yourself a favor and read it and see if any of it makes sense. It makes a ton of sense to me:

      “They’re standing on the corner and they can’t speak English.
      I can’t even talk the way these people talk:
      Why you ain’t,
      Where you is,
      What he drive,
      Where he stay,
      Where he work,
      Who you be…
      And I blamed the kid until I heard the mother talk.
      And then I heard the father talk.
      Everybody knows it’s important to speak English except these knuckleheads. You can’t be a doctor with that kind of crap coming out of your mouth.
      In fact you will never get any kind of job making a decent living.

      People marched and were hit in the face with rocks to get an Education, and now we’ve got these knuckleheads walking around.
      The lower economic people are not holding up their end in this deal.
      These people are not parenting. They are buying things for kids.
      $500 sneakers for what?
      And they won’t spend $200 for Hooked on Phonics.

      I am talking about these people who cry when their son is standing there in an orange suit.
      Where were you when he was 2?
      Where were you when he was 12?
      Where were you when he was 18 and how come you didn’t know that he had a pistol?
      And where is the father? Or who is his father?
      People putting their clothes on backward:
      Isn’t that a sign of something gone wrong?
      People with their hats on backward, pants down around the crack, isn’t that a sign of something?

      Isn’t it a sign of something when she has her dress all the way up and got all type of needles [piercing] going through her body?
      What part of Africa did this come from??
      We are not Africans. Those people are not Africans; they don’t know a thing about Africa …..

      I say this all of the time. It would be like white people saying they are European-American. That is totally stupid.
      I was born here, and so were my parents and grand parents and, very likely my great grandparents. I don’t have any connection to Africa, no more than white Americans have to Germany , Scotland , England , Ireland , or the Netherlands . The same applies to 99 percent of all the black Americans as regards to Africa . So stop, already! ! !
      With names like Shaniqua, Taliqua and Mohammed and all of that crap ……… And all of them are in jail.

      Brown or black versus the Board of Education is no longer the white person’s problem.
      We have got to take the neighborhood back.
      People used to be ashamed. Today a woman has eight children with eight different ‘husbands’ — or men or whatever you call them now.
      We have millionaire football players who cannot read.
      We have million-dollar basketball players who can’t write two paragraphs. We, as black folks have to do a better job.
      Someone working at Wal-Mart with seven kids, you are hurting us.
      We have to start holding each other to a higher standard..
      We cannot blame the white people any longer.”

      ~Dr.. William Henry ‘Bill’ Cosby, Jr., Ed..D

      Amen, Brother! I wish Bill would run for president. I would support him.

      • How refreshing! An african-american that sees it, and has the balls to tell it as it REALLY is!! You Da Man, Bill Cosby!!

      • please in africa, we have culture and tradition, and i am proud 2 be 1, dere re always pple dere for u, family or not, that is y i would neva trade being an african 4 anything else in d world. n we dont have to deal with all dese race BS, not dat it’s not dere, jst not as pronouced as oda places.

  • I am saddened that Stevie wonder is boycotting the great state of Florida as result of the GZ acquittal. My only hope is that Ted Nugent will do more shows here. Would rather see Ted anyway.

  • I used to have tremendous empathy for the African-American community and their plight over the past few hundred years. After seeing and hearing the backlash as a result of this verdict, I am beginning to think differently. I am now starting to see that it is the African-American community that are the true racists. They have no desire for true justice. Only what is beneficial to them and serves their own agenda. I am sick about this.

    • mandy it’s not ok to shoot an unarmed 17 kid. period .and if you think its ok i hope your sis daughter son or brother is next

    • iam a sixty year old white woman. for the jurours on this trial you should take a long look at your own familys what if this was your son. that man was guilty the minute they told him not to get out of the car. I believe he was the aggressor and he just stereotyped this young man. what a travesty for our judicial system. may God have his armes wrapped around this young man shame shame shame on these jurors. I have said my piece. vmc

      • According to the LIVING witness (GZ), Trayvon sucker punched him and started the fight. There is no law against following someone in public – which is what anyone can do, including someone who is on the neighborhood watch.

        Sometimes, when you start a fight (ala Trayvon), you find out you bit off more than you can chew.

  • The matter will be debated to death for months & years to come. When you break it down to it’s most basic level all that matters is parents have buried a child. Remove the race/colour/creed and focus on the fact that poor Tracy & Sybrina have outlived their son, laid him to rest and now have to get up each and every day and try to live a *normal* existence. Whatever that normal will become for them now. That’s the saddest part of all of this.

  • Let me get this straight: this is about an american citizen who was forced to shoot a criminal in self-defense, right? The criminal, who ended up dying from his injury, did assault, beat and almost killed the citizen, who had been previously observing the criminal’s movements, concerned about the security of his home, family and neighbourhood. The citizen was arrested and faced trial by jury. He was acquitted of the charges. And yet now some people think there has been some injustice? How? And why the photo above is of a 12 year-old kid? I understand the criminal was a 17 year-old man at the time of his passing.

    • who was the criminal? trayvon ……what was his crime? that is exactly why people is so upset .what was his crime walking while black? 17 years old is not a man by any standard… ….the double standard and hypocrisy will be this country downfall

      “you can’t hold a man down without staying down yourself” malcolm x

      • It isn’t the ScareCrow that needs a brain … It’s YOU John!

        Think (if you are capable) about crime and what a criminal is. Had Trayvon survived the shot, he would have been facing 15 years in prison and $10,000 fine for AGGRAVATED BATTERY. Per Florida law, “A Battery becomes an Aggravated Battery if “during the commission of a battery, he/she: Intentionally or knowingly causes or tries to cause great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement”. Thus, as George was never charged with a crime, the only criminal in this case is Martin. Please rise Mr. Martin – the court finds you GUILTY of Aggravated Battery. Maybe best for Martins parents thjat he didn’t survive ’cause they would have had to cough up $10 grand for their sweet innocent little “child”. Now that’s some expensive skittles and tea.

  • TY for the support, Mandy. John friend, I’d rather believe you are deluding yourself than trying to deceive others. Perhaps you were never assaulted by a juvenile delinquent, which is good. A 17 year-old is indeed a full grown man. The reason why they are mercifully considered minors in some cultures is because of their generally inexperienced weak minds. Nevertheless their bodies are fully developed, and completely able to maim, to rape, or to kill an older opponent – with their bare hands if need be. About this person, Trayvon – he wasn’t merely walking around the neighbourhood, minding his own business. He was a burglar checking the houses for a future attack. Zimmerman had valid reason to be concerned about his presence. And once more – it was Trayvon who attacked Zimmerman, not the other way around.

    • Horario perhaps you never been racially profile,which is good. nut those things happen quite frequently and thats why people is upset by the way,who said he was a burglar checking out houses? who is decieving who? Mandy, Trayvon had a right to fear for his life GZ has No right to follow and question ANYBODY. Mandy it’s not ok to kill an unarmed boy. period esp. not some violent psycho like GZ .and if you cant comprehend why….you are the dumbass ….dumb ass bitch

      • John, I can totally understand why you find it easier to identify yourself with Trayvon rather than with Zimmerman. This is clearly a matter of racism to you. Me, I’m uninterested in colors. All I see is a law-abiding citizen on one side, and a petty young criminal on the other. Trayvon had been found with drugs, stolen jewels and burglary tools before. And Zimmerman did not question him – HE chose to attack Zimmerman, nearly beating him to death. Friend, Trayvon was NOT a small boy, nor was he anything like your son.

      • horacio there is nothing you wrote that tells me trayvon deserved to die…….what makes george zimmerman judge and jury? trayvon was doing nothing that night and got shot by an overzealous self appointed neighborhood watch man…..jordan davis is the next stand your ground trail …17 year old black kid ..unarmed of course shot by an adult male who claimed he was scared of course i wonder what of things they are going to dig up in the kids past to make people say he deserved to die …google jordan davis jacksonville ,fl ..and i’m glad you dont see color the rest of the world does and it results in cases like this …….why is it only unarmed black kids?…you never hear of a white kid getting shot because someone thought their cell phone was a gun.

  • When Zimmerman decided to follow the boy what did he expect? So what , the boy was looking around , it was late at night and it was raining . This man is a compulsive liar , so the boy attacked him huh? And hit his head against pavement 20 times, where is the concussion report he should have been unconscious and labouring to breath . Why did he hide when he heard the police coming if it was self defense , mr. Mma ? Wife beater !! Attacking officers during his leasure time . And all those tiny scratches that did not need not one stitch ;( I’m pointing this out to that juror that did the first interview with Anderson , have you wagged a wrestling match wwe ?? Well their cuts are similar to z’s they were self inflicted !!!!!!!!! Ppl think , he did it to himselfffff that is why there is no evidence on the kid , and yes he is a kid not a man , and he never got the chance to

    • Sorry, friend – all the evidence and testimonies presented at the trial showed otherwise.

  • Here’s a question for the masses:

    WHY ISN’T THERE THIS KIND OF OUTRAGE WHEN A BLACK MALE KILLS ANOTHER BLACK MALE?

    WHY DO THE BLACKS SAVE IT FOR WHEN THE PERP IS WHITE (OR ASSUMED TO BE WHITE)?

    THERE IS YOUR “RACISM” IN A NUTSHELL. AND IT’S NOT COMING FROM THE WHITE FOLKS, PAL.

  • OK, just to finish this: Trayvon did not die because “he deserved”, nor did Zimmerman select him to die as some wacky judge, jury and executioner. Trayvon died because he chose to be a criminal, because he found cool to inflict suffering upon others, because he lived a violent life, and because he eventually attacked a victim able to defend himself. And for the last time: he was NOT a kid. The guy was nearly six feet tall, for Christ’s sake. He was taller, heavier and stronger than Zimmerman. Thugs don’t usually carry a weapon because they feel they do not need one against their usual victims. They trust their own youth, strength, speed and the surprise factor to overcome any foe. And TRAYVON DID THE ATTACKING. Zimmerman HAD to shoot – otherwise his brains would have been left on that sidewalk that night, and we wouldn’t be having this pleasant conversation. That’s why he was acquitted.

    • what makes trayvon a criminal ? what criminal activity was trayvon committing that made zimmerman had to stop what he was doing and follow him?

      • Trayvon was a burglar, and he had been moving around the neighbourhood casing the houses. Zimmerman had called the police just before he himself was attacked by Trayvon.

  • what????? lol …….where and when did the evidence state this…….you are on the wrong side of history on this…sounds like you profiling martin yourself

    • Well, John, if Trayvon having been previously found with drugs, stolen jewelry and burglary tools doesn’t lead you to the conclusion that he had been engaging in burglary, I don’t know what else to say.

    • gz was arrested for domestic violence,assault on a police officer ….seems like he is the one with violent aggressive tendencies …if we are going by past transgressions …he shot that kid in cold blood

      • I bet he was an unrepentant jaywalker too. Nevertheless he did not kill anyone in cold blood. Zimmerman was forced to shoot, because Trayvon was on top of him, trying to beat him to death. Had Zimmerman lost consciousness, HE would have been killed in cold blood. Then again, he’d have been just another statistic, and who would give a damn.

  • well i hope they don”t give his gun to him he just kill somebody with n he just get away with n he is a dam cop want be is he is n the cop kiss his ass for him n they like it