Saturday, July 27, 2013

Trayvon Martin-Jordan Davis: What Does it Say about Black Males?


What do Trayvon Martin and Jordan Davis have in common?  Both were young Black males who were fatally shot.  Although George Zimmerman was found not guilty by a jury of his “peers,” it is clear that the encounter occurred because of Zimmerman’s racial profiling.  As for Jordan Davis, he was shot and killed by Michael Dunn because Dunn felt “threatened” that the Black males in the car were going to kill him.  How many more times must unarmed young Black males die because of a perceived threat by someone with a gun?  Obviously, this is only two cases of many in the state (and nation for that matter), but it does provide a foundation for a discussion.


We live in a society that fears young Black males, and it is causing this group to have unnatural consequences.  For instance, Trayvon and Jordan both had untimely ends, leaving behind grieving parents, family, and friends.  Other Blacks recognize the negative view of them and must often speak, talk, walk, and dress in “code,” in order appear less “threatening” by others.  Where is the action?  Where is the anger?


People of all races and ethnicities rallied around the Trayvon Martin case.  In fact, Trayvon’s killing and all the case’s circumstances resulted in a movement to address racial profiling and injustice within the criminal justice system.  The not guilty verdict fueled the efforts of protestors and further motivated their calls to action.  Will the same happen for Jordan Davis?


Although Dunn is awaiting trial for Jordan’s killing, the underlying issue that led to the deaths of these two males have not been addressed by any legislator, executive, or criminal judge.  Again, Trayvon and Jordan died because they were viewed as threatening and dangerous.  Black males are systematically punished more harshly than Whites, even after ruling out offense seriousness and prior criminal record.  Therefore, this group appears to be viewed more threatening and dangerous when sentenced by criminal judges. As mentioned earlier, Black often “change” certain parts of themselves at work, in order to avoid being viewed as threatening and dangerous.  Do you see a theme?


Although it is very difficult to change people’s attitudes, the focus must remain on laws and policies that systematically attribute negative characteristics to Blacks.  Although the news and other media have almost stopped covering the movements that spurred from the Trayvon Martin shooting and subsequent verdict in Florida’s criminal court, the movement must continue and people must be steadfast.  As long as people, of all races, remain quiet, passive, and inconsistent in the movement, Blacks will continue being viewed as the criminal, dangerous, lazy, and threatening group.  Some may say, “Who cares how Blacks are viewed?”  Even some Blacks may have this view.  A response can be summed up by saying…. “Trayvon Martin,” “Jordan Davis,” “lack of resources,” “lack of jobs,” and “more punitive criminal punishments than other racial/ethnic groups.”  I care….do you?

3 comments:

  1. I care! I think the real question is why do others perceive Blacks as more dangerous? Is it socialization? Is the media portrayals? Is it merely skin color? It's time for this country to have a real conversation about race in America. Soledad O'Brien, Don Lemon, and T.J. Holmes are a few of the news reporters who have tried to start the conversation even prior to Trayvon Martin's untimely death. Why are people threatened by the need for conversation? President Obama was bold to step out and say that Blacks (especially Black males) have experiences that Whites don't have. He mentioned the sound of locking car doors when a Black male walks past a car or a White woman who clutches her purse a little tighter on an elevator at the site of a Black male. After his comments, social media exploded with venom direct at President Obama. Is he not allowed to speak about his experiences as a Black man in America? The reactions about his comments were racists in many cases. I don't understand why people feel threatened by Blacks (or nay minority for that matter) or why they fear a real and honest discussion of race.

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  2. Kim....I completely agree with you. It is likely both socialization and the media portrayals of Blacks. Actually, each of them likely fuel and reinforce one another. You're right...it is time to have a real conversation about race in America. People like to believe (or at least say!) that we live in a "post-racial" society where it no longer matters. I don't know if they truly believe this, but just because many people don't discuss race or that Obama has been elected President, it doesn't mean race is no longer relevant. How can we have a disproportionate percentage of Blacks and Hispanics arrested, incarcerated, impoverished, in poor schools, lack of quality health care, etc....and then say that race doesn't matter? You're also right about the backlash of the President's speech....if people wonder if race still matters, just take a look at many of the negative comments in response to his speech.

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  3. Kim….I completely agree with you. It is likely both socialization and the media portrayals of Blacks. Actually, each of them likely fuel and reinforce one another. You’re right…it is time to have a real conversation about race in America. People like to believe (or at least say!) that we live in a “post-racial” society where it no longer matters. I don’t know if they truly believe this, but just because many people don’t discuss race or that Obama has been elected President, it doesn’t mean race is no longer relevant. How can we have a disproportionate percentage of Blacks and Hispanics arrested, incarcerated, impoverished, in poor schools, lack of quality health care, etc….and then say that race doesn’t matter? You’re also right about the backlash of the President’s speech….if people wonder if race still matters, just take a look at many of the negative comments in response to his speech.

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