Injustice, Brutality and Racism Behind the Death of Trayvon Martin

A 28-year-old man killed a 17-year-old boy on February 26, 2012. Hold on, let me rephrase that. A 28-year-old, self-appointed neighborhood watchman shot a young teenager who was on his way back home from a convenience store where he had just bought a pack of Skittles and an Arizona iced tea.

On the night of the NBA All-Star Game, Trayvon Martin went to the store to buy some snacks, but he unfortunately never made it back home that night. George Zimmerman, scumbag the self-appointed neighborhood watchman, chased the young Florida teenager in the woods behind Martin’s father’s home and shot him.

Perhaps you’ve already heard about this story, but it is now receiving national attention due to the 911 calls from that evening finally being released. These calls have brought a whole different perspective to the murder of Martin which is now being considered a case of racism.

The fact that racism is still prevalent in the United States after all the history of the country is an issue in itself. However, racism will always exist. That issue will never change. And the incidents that took place on the night of February 26 will never change either. An innocent teenager was shot and murdered all because George Zimmerman was “defending himself.”

According to various reports (and the audio between Zimmerman and 911), Martin was “suspiciously walking around the neighborhood, and staring into houses.” Zimmerman, who was in the car at the time of the call, told the dispatcher that Martin started running so he got out of the car and chased after him.

Zimmerman: This guy looks like he’s up to no good or he’s on drugs or something.

Zimmerman: These little [expletives] they always get away.

Dispatcher: Are you following him?

Zimmerman: Yes.

Dispatch: OK, we don’t need you to do that.

But Zimmerman followed him anyway. And this is where the issue arises.

Not only was Zimmerman told not to follow him, but according to an ABC report, the manual from the National Neighborhood Watch Program, states: “It should be emphasized to members that they do not possess police powers, and they shall not carry weapons or pursue vehicles. They should also be cautioned to alert police or deputies when encountering strange activity. Members should never confront suspicious persons who could be armed and dangerous.”

Trayvon Martin was not armed. Zimmerman was. But what’s even worse is that the same ABC report indicated that Zimmerman had a history of calling 911. In fact, they confirmed that Zimmerman has called more than three dozen times in the past couple of months – to report “suspicious” people which eventually ended up being false alarms.

From the research, calls and different witness statements, this situation was a false alarm that turned into a murder case. And yet, up to this very moment that you are reading this exact sentence, Zimmerman has not been charged or arrested for his actions. Some law enforcement experts are even suggesting that Zimmerman sounded like he was intoxicated the night of the incident, yet he was never asked for a drug test or breathalyzer.

Injustice, in every sense of the word.

Just minutes before Trayvon was shot he was on the phone with his girlfriend as he spoke his last words. The young girl, whose family asked to keep anonymous, spoke to an attorney soon after the phone log and audio were released.

Attorney Benjamin Crump held a news conference on Tuesday, where he played some of the recording. While on the phone with the girl, Martin asked the stranger (Zimmerman), “Why are you following me?” The girl told Crump that she told Martin to run, but Martin refused and just said he would walk faster. At some point, Martin asked Zimmerman again why he was following him. The girl then heard a push, some scuffling and then the line went dead.

Moments later, her young lover was killed .                

In some of the 911 calls from the residents of the area, you could hear someone screaming for help and then suddenly hear a gun-shot in the background -- which can be heard here (skip to the 6:30 mark).

Brutality, in every sense of the word.

There are still many pieces of the puzzle missing, but the information and audio clips that are being released are slowly starting to clear things up. If Zimmerman really thought Martin looked suspicious, that’s fine. However, to chase the kid down with a gun and kill him is not. How threatened and scared could a 28-year-old really be of an unarmed 17-year-old? Self-defense, right?