Zimmerman, etc.

I often rail about people commenting on things without knowing the facts.
I don't know the facts of the Zimmerman trial. I wasn't there. I followed it from afar, but even then, not as closely as many people I know.
Therefore, I would like to give the jury the benefit of the doubt. They heard all the testimony.

On the other hand, this IS Florida.

But I'm trying to avoid that as a mitigating circumstance.

But in trying to understand the events, here's where I just don't get it:

1: Zimmerman sees a young black man walking around his neighborhood. He's black, ergo, he's suspicious. I think we can all safely say that if the kid was white, nothing would have happened. But let's forget about that for a moment...GZ calls the cops. The cops say, "we'll take care of it. Don't follow him." GZ does so anyway. I realize that probably has no legal bearing on the events, but in "things I don't get", this is the first, chronologically. Actually, I DO get it. He's a vigilante and wants to be a hero.
2: TM runs away, calling his girlfriend that he's being chased, scared to death. So, naturally, he hides in a shadow waiting to ambush GZ??? Really? Does that make sense? This is "TIDG" #2.
3: GZ tries to hunt down the suspicious character. He's armed, but it's not at the ready. TIDG #3.
4: TM ambushes GZ, pummeling him within an inch of his life. While GZ is being beaten to a pulp (according to testimony), he finds his gun and shoots TM. How is this possible? Where on his person was the gun kept so that he could be beaten to a pulp while at the same time having the wherewithal to find his gun? TIDG #4.
So, because FL has this "stand your ground" law, GZ can legally kill another human being because he's allegedly being threatened to the death. 

I'm trying not to obsess over it. And in truth, I'm not. But, like the president, I also have a son who "could be Trayvon Martin." Somehow, my son has avoided all the profiling, suspicion, and all else that comes with being a young black male. I don't know how he's avoided it but that's what he told me just a few days ago. And it's consistent with all our previous conversations. He happens to be very likeable and social, so that helps. But when you're walking in a store, you're being watched.  You are black. Therefore, you're a potential thief or thug.
We've talked about race ever since he could string a few words together. His mom, of course, knows it first hand and to her major credit, has been terrific in this regard.  I know it's bragging, but it happens to be true...My son is amazingly confident and relaxed in his own skin.
I can't imagine saying anything new about race in America. Most conservatives think racism doesn't exist. I've had conversations with some of my conservative friends in which I ask them to try to imagine being guilty until proven innocent. 24/7. Every day. They still don't get it.
On the other end, many liberals see racism in things I don't see. They're very quick to accuse some people of racism and general idiocy.
 
I don't get the word "racist" as a noun. Adjective, yes. Noun, no.  I have yet to meet anyone in America who's entirely free of racism, myself included. It's always been a matter of degree. I do know that demonizing those who have racism doesn't help things. I also know that ignoring it is just as bad, maybe worse. I suppose the best Rx is to have people of different viewpoints sit down and talk about it in a spirit of understanding and compassion. But I think we've become too polarized to do that.
Both the conservative and liberal viewpoints seem lazy to me. Both sides seem to not want to take the time to imagine what life is like on the other side of the fence. This takes work. I'm no Gandhi, and God knows I've been guilty of the same lack of patience and compassion. But I do feel with every fiber in my body that the only way to get this country working is to slow down and to develop compassion and empathy. Being guilty of racism doesn't make you a monster. It does mean that any time racism (or other "isms") get in the way, we're missing an opportunity to know someone and to appreciate them.
To do otherwise seems disrespectful. Therefore, I think it behooves all of us to look in the mirror without judgment, without the liberal police telling us how dumb we are. But to look honestly at ourselves and see that it's in our best interests to eradicate racism, etc. from our hearts. Little by little, day by day.
If GZ had seen a kid without color, I think he'd have acted differently. As for TM, we'll never know.