Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Sufficient Tragedy.

The death of Trayvon Martin has provided the USA with tragedies galore. I would like to offer my thoughts on just 3 of the tragedies:
source: abc News
The Killed.
Trayvon Martin goes out to the local convenience store to buy some Skittles and an iced tea. Trayvon Martin never comes home again. Compounding this simple tragedy, Trayvon Martin was killed by a bullet. The bullet that killed Trayvon Martin was intended for Trayvon Martin even though all Tryavon Martin was carrying were Skittles, an iced tea and a cell phone. His family will not be able to eventually take solace that his death was an unlucky random occurrence. The nature of Trayvon Martin's death does not allow his friends or family to grieve and (hopefully) heal in private.
source: The Miami Herald
The Shooter.
George Zimmerman shot Trayvon Martin. (I am not neutral about Mr. Zimmerman. I am pleased Mr. Zimmerman lives in another neighborhood, in a different state. I wouldn't want him to watch a dead rat, let alone my neighborhood. Still, the purpose of this post is not to talk about Mr. Zimmerman's actions.) Whenever the "stand your ground" law, Trayvon Martin or a confrontation with a neighborhood watch are mentioned, George Zimmerman will be mentioned next. Should an investigation determine Mr. Zimmerman could and should have avoided the shooting, the effect on his life and his family's life is no less tragic.
source: Yahoo! News
The Journalist?
I haven't considered Geraldo Rivera much of a journalist since Al Capone's vault. As someone with over 30 years of experience, Riveria should be beyond embarrassed for suggesting that Trayvon Martin's wardrobe (hoodie)  led to Trayvon Martin being shot. No matter Rivera's belief about the efficacy of "stand your ground" or Zimmerman's innocence, blaming a 17 year old for dressing like a 17 year old contributes to the dumbing down of the public. Rivera's subsequent apology can't stuff the genie back in the bottle. The tragedy here? Someone somewhere agreed Riveria: Trayvon Martin contributed to his own shooting by wearing a hoodie.
Yesterday.
Little Suzy and I were sitting in my car, waiting for the school bus. As usual, I was listening to the news. When the news conversation turned to hoodies, shootings and dead kids, I turned off the radio. Suzy asked, "Daddy what was so bad that your turned off the radio"? It wasn't a tragedy that I couldn't offer a good explanation, but it still made me sad.

8 comments:

  1. Well, we'll never know what truely happened that night & the media seriously needs to move on. I don't think he'll be charged, and if he is then all the better. He did murder someone. No murder is "justified" in any way. And yes, it was a horrible thing to have happened but I think people are sick of hearing about it. But that's just my opinion.

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    1. Jenny,
      I have to respectfully disagree with you. I want the media to tell this story over and over and over again. Keep telling the story so maybe one (or more) senseless killings don't occur. I am uncertain as to what law gives one civilian the right to shoot and kill another unarmed civilian. As for people being sick of hearing about it, good. This story should make everyone sick.
      Thank you for expressing your thoughts on this tragedy. Your words are, as always, most welcome.

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  2. If you lived in AZ you would know the crazy back flow from gun fever. the big hair ladies in PHX have pistol purses, and we allow guns in bars, trying to get them on college campuses. If our legislature is not being fully supported by Mexican cartels then their motivation has to be social deviance...more likely the Mexicans are in control. We have the craziest vigilantes at the border you could ever imagine. I live between the biggest gun stashes in the country, in the Valley of the Gun, heading south, and the border...Here it is obvious that insane people jump on all the gun bandwagons, just becaus they re crazy.

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    1. Pam,
      I'm not sure why people living in the west think they're still living in the wild west. I like action flicks as much as the next guy (well, maybe not) but I realize that after the gun goes off in real life, the director doesn't yell "cut" and everyone goes to lunch. Isn't it heartwarming that anyone can carry a gun, but get caught with an ounce of marijuana and get a full police squad escort. I guess change happens 1 person, 1 act at a time. Thanks for offering your thoughts. It's interesting to note that a "packing" good samaritan couldn't pull his piece out in time to shoot the aide that was saving Gaby Gifford's life. Oh well, maybe tomorrow will be better.

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  3. So absolutely senseless (the shooting, not your writing).

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    Replies
    1. Emme,
      Totally agree and as time goes on, no one is looking any better. Thanks for adding your thoughts.

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  4. Hi Barry... I just wanted to stop in and say a quick hello. I trust you're bloggy adventures are going well and you're having fun!! Have a fantastic week!

    Kelly

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  5. Hi Kelly,
    Thanks for stopping by. Yes, I do enjoy my blogging, even when the subject matter is disturbing.

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