The news from Florida was disappointing, where last weekend a six-woman jury determined that former neighborhood watch coordinator George Zimmerman was not guilty in his second-degree murder trial for shooting to death Trayvon Martin, an unarmed black teenager. The jury couldn't even convict on a lesser charge of manslaughter, which, from what we've read and seen of the proceedings, would have been a decent outcome.
The justice system worked, in that there was a trial and both sides presented their cases; but justice was not served.
Of course, it wasn't the first nor will it be the last time that an unsatisfying verdict is rendered. But every time a polarizing case receives widespread publicity, it draws visceral reactions. The African American community in this country is hurting. Rush Limbaugh is boasting that he can now say "nigga," because in CNN interview Martin's friend Rachel Jeantel said that she didn't think the word is racist. While not everyone shares her viewpoint, Limbaugh "happily dove in," as Media Matters noted. He likes nothing better than to inflame a situation, precisely at a time when calmer statements are desperately needed. It's too bad the country can't ignore gasbags like Limbaugh.
We can certainly empathize with people who believe that justice was denied in the Martin case. Our community has seen its share of bum jury verdicts: Harvey Milk, Matthew Shepard, Gwen Araujo are three heart-breaking murders in which the perpetrators got far lesser punishment than they deserved. Some murders, like that of transgender African American woman Brandy Martell, who was shot and killed in Oakland last year, are still unsolved.
We support the Justice Department's entry into the Martin case, and urge the federal government to explore every avenue to ensure that Martin's civil rights are honored. President Barack Obama, who has said little about race during his administration, could move the conversation forward by addressing the issue. During his first campaign in 2008 he gave a much-praised speech on race, and that was about it. Much like he helped open the conversation about marriage equality, Obama must do the same on race relations. After all, he is our first black president.
In the end it's clear that Americans are still grappling with race. The scenes of violent protests in downtown Oakland this week were a reminder of the demonstrations in the city four years ago after a local, unarmed young black man, Oscar Grant, was shot by a former BART police officer. Coincidentally, a critically acclaimed movie depicting the last 24 hours of Grant's life, Fruitvale Station, opened to packed audiences in Oakland last weekend. In the wake of the Zimmerman verdict, some people felt the need to smash windows and vandalize businesses like Oaklandish, a local grassroots store, and Youth Radio. A waiter at a local restaurant was hit in the head with a hammer. How does any of this honor Martin? The people committing the vandalism do not have the slightest understanding of Oakland or the fact that Youth Radio, in particular, has consistently given a voice to young people like Martin, as many have pointed out. These punks who come to Oakland to smash windows only make matters worse and need to get a life. And city leaders need to step up and take control, rather than just send Facebook messages urging people to shop local.
The protests should focus on Martin, his short life and violent death, and seek new answers to create change. But above all, they should be peaceful, as Martin's own minister has stated. Vandalism and violence won't help anybody.