In America, a Royal Persecution...In Britain, a Royal Birth!!!

The juxtaposition of the royal birth in Britain and the royal persecution of Trayvon Martin in Florida is somewhat dizzying. 

Imagine Michelle Obama giving birth to a little Black boy while President Obama is serving in the White House.  Certainly, the young Obama would begin with many more privileges than the typical American child, Black or White. But, would young Obama be on schedule to inherit over a billion dollars as Kate and William's baby is predicted to inherit? Would he be immediately regarded as "His Royal Highness?" And, would he (the Black child of the President) be able to look forward to walking the streets of America without immediately raising suspicion of criminal intent? The answers to these questions are undoubtedly, No.

I understand, Britain is a constitutional monarchy and British royalty serve a merely ceremonial or symbolic role. But, to the degree that national symbols are important in affecting societal norms, enhancing national or group pride, and highlighting things upon which the nation places great value, the world-wide attention paid to the "royal baby" speaks volumes about how Britain feels about its young boys.  And, the symbolism of the Zimmerman verdict speaks volumes about the value placed on young Black boys in America.

All little British boys can see themselves valued as little "Princes," while little Black boys in America are encouraged to see themselves as "Paupers," "Prisoners," and "Pariahs" worthy of only suspicion and never receiving the benefit of the doubt. You see, in spite of all the privileges that accrue to being the son of a U.S. President, young Obama would lack the one privilege capable of protecting him on a dark street in Florida...white skin privilege.

So, forgive me if I'm seen meandering down the street with an unsteady gait. I'm not drunk, high on drugs or aimlessly looking for a place to burglarize. No, I'm just trying to regain my sense of equilibrium after witnessing America's bewilderingly disparate treatment of it's own young, Black Prince (Trayvon) vis-a-vis its reverence for the British "royal baby."

Mind you, on that fateful night in Florida, Trayvon was as innocent as a newborn baby!

STAND YOUR GROUND, STEVIE!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99gNYaz6YaM

Until we rendezvous...

Peace!!

Blood on the Leaves and Blood at the Root - Ode to Trayvon Martin

 

"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."

 Thomas Jefferson

On the night of February 26, 2012, the blood of Trayvon Martin and George Zimmerman spilled in the streets of Sanford, Florida.  While Zimmerman left the scene sporting only butterfly bandages, Trayvon spilled so much blood that he died tragically on that rain drenched street. Jefferson's "Tree of Liberty," parched from lack of nourishment, drank its fill that night!! But, in this real life Jeffersonian tragedy, who plays the role of Patriot and who plays the role of Tyrant?

Having some experience with it, I know that the criminal justice system is not necessarily equipped to provide the MORAL justice we seek. Why? Because the "system" often employs people ill-equipped to participate in it, and the laws supporting the "system" are often horrifically flawed.  State laws such as Florida's "Stand Your Ground" are often vile, ideologically motivated, and ill-advised. Prosecutors and/or defense attorneys are sometimes incompetent or inadequately resourced. Judges and/or jurors often harbor secret biases or prejudices. These biases are exacerbated by imbalanced jury pools heavily weighted against minority inclusion. Lack of minority inclusion is accomplished by insane drug laws which permanently strip minorities of the right to vote or serve on juries.

So, is it really surprising that Zimmerman was found "not guilty" by a nearly all-white, all-female jury incapable of relating to the plight of a Black teenage male, dressed in customary teenage clothing, innocently walking home from the store with tea and Skittles (while talking to his girlfriend on the phone) in a predominantly white neighborhood? Not really. The script was written, the scene was set, the lines were rehearsed, the actors were in place, and the die was cast long before the verdict was rendered. Final Scene: The victim, Trayon Martin, transformed into the scary, vicious, monstrous perpetuator.

 

Michael Vick kills dogs and gets jail time...Plaxico Burress accidentally shoots himself in the leg and gets jail time...Marissa Alexander, a Black Florida woman who fired a warning shot into the ceiling while being threatened by her husband, gets 20 years in prison...while George Zimmerman takes the life of an innocent teen, walks free and is returned the gun with which he does the dirty deed. The dutiful neighborhood watchman...free to racially profile, stalk and perhaps kill again!

But, the story shouldn't end there.  An epilogue is still to be written. As Martin Luther King Jr. said, "The arc of the moral universe is long but it bends towards justice." He lived in a time when "southern justice" was criminal in its treatment of Black people. Obviously, King was speaking not about mere criminal justice, but moral justice. In a twisted and perverse way, the verdict delivered by the jury in the State of Florida vs. George Zimmerman may serve a higher purpose...the purpose of bending the arc of the moral universe more quickly toward true justice...a battle lost on the road to ultimate victory.

Zimmerman may have been judged criminally "NOT GUILTY," but he is morally RESPONSIBLE for the death of Trayvon Benjamin Martin!!

The Zimmerman verdict highlights a moral gap in America's views on race, class, culture, public policy, and criminal justice. I'm hopeful that it will serve to accelerate the closing of those moral gaps in our society. And while George Zimmerman and the other Tyrants of "gun culture" stand their ground inside "Castles of Paranoia," Trayvon Martin will take his rightful place alongside the many Patriots whose blood have nourished the roots and splattered the leaves of that precious "Tree of Liberty."

We should follow the dignified and elegant example of Trayvon's parents while heeding the President's call for calm reflection. Still, how  much more "Stange Fruit" must the "Tree of Liberty" be forced to bear?



...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4ZyuULy9zs

 

 

Until we rendezvous...

Peace!!