Reminiscent of 1960s America: Trayvon Martin Case

(Posted on 31/03/12)

In a small Florida community, the salt air wafts in from the Gulf of Mexico, though doesn't betray the storm that would surely overshadow a category 5 hurricane that residents fear six months out of the year. The Trayvon Martin case has many old timers wondering if they've time traveled back into the 1960s when racism poisoned every community, especially those in the south.

The controversy is overwhelming a nation that's already plagued with national issues such as a stagnant economy and a president's health care reform that's so disliked, it's at the Supreme Court with hopes of overturning it. Still, it's the castle domain laws that aren't even applicable in every state that's dividing a country that simply can't afford more division.

Stand Your Ground Laws

These laws allow justifiable homicide when a person feels his own life or property is in jeopardy. Not every state has these legal sections in their constitutions; however, those states that do have residents that vehemently support them. Florida is one of those states. Its "Stand Your Ground" law is what George Zimmerman and his lawyers say will protect him. He says Trayvon Martin, a 17 year old African American boy, attacked him and he was simply defending his life when he shot and killed him.

Another Overstepping Decisions?

President Obama, for his part, and for reasons many don't understand, further complicated matters and in many citizens' minds, fed into the growing divide among races. He took it upon himself to identify on a very personal level with the family that’s grieving the death of their son. He said he felt if he had a son, he would look like Trayvon Martin. He then used to that to leap off with a request that every American do a bit of "soul searching" over how this could have happened. In other words, do states really need these laws on their books?

As if the disastrous Obamacare wasn't bad enough, this is indicative of a president who doesn't know his boundaries in his role. He has crossed the line many times, but maybe it’s because this is the first time he’s asking lawmakers to rethink the laws that allow Americans to feel safe in their own homes that folks are beginning to go on the defensive. "He’s taking the Constitution, yet again, and dismissing it", says one person we spoke to. "A president have a very limited scope in terms of what his role is in that once-respected position. To call on Americans to "soul search" over these very core rights is just wrong. Compromising my sense of safety is not an option of his or anyone else."

Now, though, lawyers for the Martin case are demanding law enforcement arrest Zimmerman because of a leaked video that shows him moments after the shooting with no visible injuries. Meanwhile, the controversy continues to grow and people are standing their ground - and that ground is definitively either black or white. Unfortunately this is going to be one of those American crises that will never lead to anything good on its current course.