New York Times Article

Wednesday April 4, 2012

     Due to the centennial celebration at Aurora University, we did not have class today.  Instead we were given a New York Times article to read and blog about.  The topic is the very controversial event of the death of 17 year old Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Florida.  Though after reading the article several times, I still cannot tell whether it is more in favor of Trayvon or George Zimmerman.  The article tells the backgrounds of both men (including good and bad things), the event on February 2, 2012, and the events that have come out of Trayvon's death.

Trayvon Martin's Background: 
     Trayvon Martin was 17 years old and lived in Miami, Florida.  He was the typical high school male: liked girls, video games, and occasionally got into trouble.  Many people recalled that Trayvon was easy-going, did not have an attitude, respected his family members, and got average grades.  This article, however, states that Trayvon did get into trouble:  three suspensions, tardiness, graffiti, and possession of marijuana.  Trayvon and his father were in Sanford because they were visiting Trayvon's father's girlfriend of about two years and her fourteen year old son, Chad.

George Zimmerman's Background: 
     George Zimmerman was originally from Virginia and moved to Florida in 2001.  Like Trayvon, many people said that George was a nice person, but had some struggles in life.  Zimmerman used to have a good job in the housing market, but when the housing market went under he lost his job.  Since then he had several small-time jobs (CarMax and Target).  Zimmerman had a history of minor violence.  Upon moving to the Sanford area, he recognized the crime rate was rising and he wanted to get the community together to do something about it.  In August of 2012 the homeowner's association decided to create a neighborhood watch.  The police department came to the area and briefed the people on the proper procedures and rules.  They made it clear that volunteers do not possess police power, they should not be armed, and they should be the eyes and ears for the police.  Zimmerman, however, had a license to have a firearm.  Since August, it was reported that he made several calls to the police department and went above the call of the neighborhood watch program.  It was said that he would either call the cops of go up to someone's house in the middle of the night and tell them that their garage door was open.  His activities and preoccupation with the welfare of others made some neighbors get annoyed and worried.

February 2, 2012:
     On February 2 Trayvon's father and his girlfriend went out to dinner and left the two boys home alone.  Trayvon decided to go out for a walk to 7-Eleven.  Chad said that he wanted Skittles, so Trayvon got some along with an iced tea.  While walking back to his father's girlfriends house (in a gated community), George Zimmerman started to follow the boy from his car.  George was reported telling the police "He looks black."  The police told Zimmerman not to follow the boy any further and the police would be there soon.  Zimmerman, however, got out of his car and started following Trayvon on foot.  Trayvon, at the time, was talking to his girlfriend on the phone and was aware that someone was following him.  From that point on is a little fuzzy because Zimmerman was not on the phone with the police anymore and Trayvon's phone went dead.  It has been reported that the two shared an argument, followed by struggling on the sidewalk, ending with Trayvon being shot.  There were people who witnessed the two struggling, but no one saw exactly what happened because it was dark outside.    When the police showed up Trayvon was already dead, just a few houses from his destination.  His father was unaware of what happened until the next morning when he reported Trayvon missing and the police told him what had happened.

Events Since Trayvon's Death:
     Since the event there have been several different accounts of what happened, from Zimmerman along with those who saw and heard the struggle.  Zimmerman was taken to the Sanford police department, claiming that he was using self-defense.  The police tended to side with Zimmerman, according to the article, because he had a clean record, had a license to carry a weapon, and was studying criminal justice.  Because of the "Stand Your Ground" law, Zimmerman was not arrested.  The state attorney said that this law is quite controversial because they have about three or four cases every month that deal with the law, this event only makes the law more famous and debatable.  Trayvon's family is outraged because the police have not collected evidence, interviewed witnesses, or anything else that police normally do for a homicide.  The police have not even interviewed Trayvon's girlfriend yet!  Trayvon's family said that "a young man is shot dead, and a month later, still no arrest."  Since this event has went national (even international!) Zimmerman is facing death threats against himself and his family.
     This event challenges many things:  the First Amendment (right to bear arms), self-defense, "Stand Your Ground" law, and it even questions racial discrimination.  The death of Trayvon Martin has gained increasing attention since people like President Obama, Rev. Jesse Jackson, and even Opera have went to Florida to visit the family.  No one will ever know the entire story because only Zimmerman lives to tell the tale.  One thing is for certain: this event and the actions that come out of it will not go away.  This case will only intensify the already strong fight among the different races in America.