In wake of the recent tragedy involving the death of Trayvon Martin in FL, America has once again been thrust into the race debate. Trayvon was shot and killed by George Zimmerman, who was labeled a “white Hispanic” by some mainstream media outlets, and thus began a flurry of relentless racial attacks. Since there has been no conclusive evidence to this point that shows that Zimmerman had a racial motive, it would be appropriate and wise to put the racial rhetoric on hold and let the justice system do its work. I do not criticize or ridicule those who have been passionately vocal in their support of Trayvon Martin. I under that they want Zimmerman to be arrested for his actions, and they have a right to vocalize their opinions. However, there have been some tactics used that proves that there is still a bitter racial divide in America.
Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson has gotten involved, which means that the red flag has been raised. Sharpton and Jackson are class warfare tyrants who capitalize on widening the racial divide and use tragedies for manipulation and political gain. One has to wonder, do Jackson and Sharpton really care about the Martin family or is this another situation that enables them to play the “race card” without any substantial evidence, in order to elicit an emotional response and portray the African-American population as “victims”?
The New Blank Panther Party put a bounty of $10,000 on the head of George Zimmerman, an example of violence that is not necessary and advocates revenge in substitute of lawful justice.
President Obama, following the advice of his former Chief Of Staff Rahm Emmanuel who once stated to “never let a crisis go to waste”, invoked himself into the case by stating that if he would’ve had a son, he would’ve looked identical to Trayvon Martin. It would’ve been simple and encouraging enough to issue out a statement of prayers and support for the Martin family, but the President’s racial and political pandering once again proves America is still racially divided.
The fact that George Zimmerman is a non-black that killed a black has aroused attention nationwide. If we want to bring attention racial issues, let me reveal these staggering facts: 43% of all murder victims in 2007 alone were African American and 93.1% of them were killed by African Americans. Victimizations of African Americans from violent crime which include the following; rape/sexual assault, robbery, aggravated and simple Assault was 24.3% in 2007, with the highest percentages of victimizations within the age ranges of 15-24 totaling a percentage greater than 38%.
I don’t hear cries of agony over these statistics from the Rev Sharpton or Rev. Jackson. You know why? I’ll tell you---it disputes their narrative of black suppression by white individuals.
It is also disingenuous to point to racism when opponents of President Obama’s policies voice their opinions. Short-term memory loss can be credited when left wingers and liberals forget the fact that Obama won the largest share of white support of any Democrat in a two-man race since 1976. A stunning 54 percent of young white voters supported Obama, compared with 44 percent who went for McCain, the senator from Arizona. In the past three decades, no Democratic presidential nominee has won more than 45 percent of young whites. My point is this: Barack Obama was able to be a racially transcendent candidate whose candidacy proved America has progressed towards bridging the racial divide.
Will America TOTALLY bridge the racial divide? As of right now, I’m reluctant to believe so. Until race can be a issue that can be discussed in terms of improvement, engagement and an embrace of culture, instead of an instant knee-jerk reaction and a tool to divide and conquer, America will divided on a racial and political front.