African-Americans living under state-sanctioned cloud of suspicion

[mota bhai 2,675]

The outcome of George Zimmerman's trial for the killing of Trayvon Martin has resulted in a great deal of anger on one side and on the other side, accusations that Zimmerman has been hounded for the legitimate exercise of his self-defense rights.

This case must be seen in the larger context of the history of US race relations. While the south's embrace of slavery is well-known, what is not fully understood is how completely southern legal and social institutions united after the Reconstruction era with the singular intent of ensuring that African-American citizens were unable to exercise their rights.

Equally, formal and informal racial oppression was commonplace in the rest of the US.

For minorities in the country today, the result is a legacy of being viewed with suspicion wherever they go.

The widely popularized term "driving while black" simply refers to the fact that minorities, especially African-Americans, are far more likely to be stopped by police when driving compared to white individuals.

Furthermore, many minorities have experienced being singled out by store security personnel for increased scrutiny due to their race rather than any overt actions.

The ultimate result is to make it harder for minorities to exercise their right to move about as they please, even if there are no official laws restricting their movements.

African-Americans and other minorities are also far more likely to be dealt with in a harsh manner by the justice system than whites.

While official legal codes no longer include explicitly racist clauses, minorities continue to face racism when dealing with larger society.

Because of these factors, the killing of Martin was seen not simply as a tragic accident or even the unlawful murder of a single teen, but a symbol for what many minorities experience every day.

Not only that, but another Florida self-defense case, where Marissa Alexander, an African-American woman was sentenced to 20 years for firing warning shots to protect herself from her allegedly abusive husband, highlights what many see as a clear double standard.

In both cases, self-defense was claimed as the motive for the shooting, and both cases were arguably covered by Florida's self-defense statutes. Many see the fact that Marissa is black as the primary difference between the two cases.

However, the larger national significance of these events can be seen in the media and public reaction.

More than a few individuals and groups have argued that Martin's choice of clothes somehow made him an acceptable target.

In fact, veteran Fox host Geraldo Rivera described his choice of clothes as "thug wear." To many observers, it is unlikely that such a description would have been applied to a white teenage, nor accepted by such a large audience, no matter his choice in clothes.

And this is perhaps the greatest tragedy of the Trayvon Martin case - the sudden revelation that many Americans do feel that Zimmerman was right, that a civilian stalking an African-American male was not only allowable but positively praiseworthy, and that Martin's death at Zimmerman's hands was not simply legal but Martin's fault.

The idea that Martin's race, his choice of clothing and the fact that he was walking through a neighborhood that Zimmerman decided he did not belong to somehow make his killing legitimate is chilling.

It should not simply be chilling to minorities, but to every US citizen who values their rights.

For in its aftermath, many minority individuals across the US will wonder whether they would be free to defend themselves if accosted or if they could be killed and whether a claim of self-defense would be used to protect their killer, even if he chose to initiate the confrontation.

Sadly, this case has made it clear that the US has far to go in its quest for racial harmony.

http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/799182.shtml

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Sadly, this case has made it clear that the US has far to go in its quest for racial harmony.

http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/799182.shtml

Yes, The US has much to learn from China about racial harmony.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

I'm surprised the usual suspects have let this thread go unmolested. It's still early though...

[duraaraa 203]

Again, I don't think it's a racial thing at all.

Let's look at it this way:

VERY likely to be pulled over for DWB:'

Not likely to be pulled over for DWB:

I'm sure she could be pulled over for DWB despite not being black:

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

Again, I don't think it's a racial thing at all.

Let's look at it this way:

VERY likely to be pulled over for DWB:'

Not likely to be pulled over for DWB:

I'm sure she could be pulled over for DWB despite not being black:

I fit the second one and I've been caught DWB.

[duraaraa 203]

I fit the second one and I've been caught DWB.

That's really messed up.

Did they have some excuse for pulling you over?

I'm not denying that there are racist idiots -- I just think that the second profile is not, in any way, threatening or looking to be up to no good, while the first one fits the generic profile of a gangster/drug dealer/etc. There are, of course, profiles for other races as well - Asian gang members, Mexican gang members, white gang members, etc. etc.

The third profile, on the other hand, was the best part of a Rob Schneider movie... my stepkids love Rob Schneider movies.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

That's really messed up.

Did they have some excuse for pulling you over?

I'm not denying that there are racist idiots -- I just think that the second profile is not, in any way, threatening or looking to be up to no good, while the first one fits the generic profile of a gangster/drug dealer/etc. There are, of course, profiles for other races as well - Asian gang members, Mexican gang members, white gang members, etc. etc.

The third profile, on the other hand, was the best part of a Rob Schneider movie... my stepkids love Rob Schneider movies.

You're talking about the Hot Chick. Not one of his best(Deuce Bigalo IMO) but still funny.

It's just what we go through. I remember getting pulled over on my graduation night from high school. I had my cap and gown on, my gf at the time, my female cousin, and her friend were all in the car with me. They called back up and kept us there for about an hour. The reason? My mom's husband had died a few weeks earlier and she forget to renew the tags. They called her and asked if the car was stolen. It wasn't a good look.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

You're talking about the Hot Chick. Not one of his best(Deuce Bigalo IMO) but still funny.

It's just what we go through. I remember getting pulled over on my graduation night from high school. I had my cap and gown on, my gf at the time, my female cousin, and her friend were all in the car with me. They called back up and kept us there for about an hour. The reason? My mom's husband had died a few weeks earlier and she forget to renew the tags. They called her and asked if the car was stolen. It wasn't a good look.

Expired tags get everybody. If your last name was different than the registration for the car, I could see that happening. I know it depends on the town, but big city cops are dicks everywhere, no matter who you are.

[duraaraa 203]

You're talking about the Hot Chick. Not one of his best(Deuce Bigalo IMO) but still funny.

It's just what we go through. I remember getting pulled over on my graduation night from high school. I had my cap and gown on, my gf at the time, my female cousin, and her friend were all in the car with me. They called back up and kept us there for about an hour. The reason? My mom's husband had died a few weeks earlier and she forget to renew the tags. They called her and asked if the car was stolen. It wasn't a good look.

Is that DWB, though? I mean, expired tags are a valid reason to pull someone over (I've been pulled over and questioned thoroughly when I bought a used car.)

The Hot Chick was, for me, his best movie.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

Is that DWB, though? I mean, expired tags are a valid reason to pull someone over (I've been pulled over and questioned thoroughly when I bought a used car.)

The Hot Chick was, for me, his best movie.

I didn't mind the pull over for the tags, I was mad about the back up.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I got pulled over a couple years ago when I bought a used truck. I even had a temporary from the dealer in the window, but the deputy sheriff pulled me over anyways, saying, "It was the wrong temporary." I tried to explain it to her, tell her I worked for a dealer before, etc., but she wasn't going for it. She tried to call a supervisor, but he said he was too busy, and to send me on my way. I went to the DMV the next day to get new plates and tags, and the DMV clerk said, "I don't understand what her problem was. County Sheriff's don't usually make traffic stops."

[Darnell 8,479]

For in its aftermath, many minority individuals across the US will wonder whether they would be free to defend themselves if accosted or if they could be killed and whether a claim of self-defense would be used to protect their killer, even if he chose to initiate the confrontation.

http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/799182.shtml

That's just sad.

How to change the landscape? Travel in groups of 10 or more.

Sure, it may mean making new friends, and paying gas money to the fella that has the limo - but so what?

There's always safety in numbers...

[Dan and Judy 614]

I liked Will Smith in MIB 3. He went back in time to the 60's and stole a nice car ( to save the world). Some cops pull him over

and he says just cause he's black they think he stole the car and he's giving them attitude. I've already forgotten how he gets away

[Jacque67 7,328]

Yes, The US has much to learn from China about racial harmony.

Lol.

[Karee 4,191]

I got pulled over a couple years ago when I bought a used truck. I even had a temporary from the dealer in the window, but the deputy sheriff pulled me over anyways, saying, "It was the wrong temporary." I tried to explain it to her, tell her I worked for a dealer before, etc., but she wasn't going for it. She tried to call a supervisor, but he said he was too busy, and to send me on my way. I went to the DMV the next day to get new plates and tags, and the DMV clerk said, "I don't understand what her problem was. County Sheriff's don't usually make traffic stops."

Maybe she just wanted your phone number. Get to know you etc.