I have read a great deal of commentary from my Facebook friends - TopicsExpress



          

I have read a great deal of commentary from my Facebook friends both in favor and opposed to the Zimmerman verdict. Some of it has been thought provoking, studied, and insightful. Unfortunately, many comments and musings from both points of view have been vengeful, racist, shortsighted, and counterproductive. I have individuals outside of my own family that I deeply value in my personal life. Some of those could easily fit the cookie cutter profile of Trayvon Martin, young black males, students that I teach or am otherwise acquainted in the community in some fashion. Still others more closely mirror the profile of George Zimmerman, guys I went through school or work with, middle aged, mostly white, some Hispanic, and others biracial. If we all closely examine our lives, most of us will find we have “Travyons” and “Georges” in our midst, if not as friends, then as acquaintances. I find my “Trayvons” and my “Georges” behaving and commenting in the very same vein as the real Travyon and George. That is, profiling one another, responding based on stereotypes, and reacting on raw emotions and false assumptions. Whether you identify with a “George” or with a “Travyon,” carefully consider facts and TRY to divorce yourself from prejudice, emotion, and bias in your comments. Everyone is free to express himself and his opinion, but do so without displaying ignorance, intolerance, or ill intent. You’ll find others are more likely to listen and take your feelings as well as your point of view seriously. The only facts that remain at this juncture in the story are that a young life was lost and another man’s life is forever changed, and not for the better. I find neither of these a cause or justification to show contempt, celebrate, vow revenge, or gloat. These serve to only further fan the flames of mistrust and widen the racial, political, and socioeconomic divides that contribute to the detriment of us all, both individually and as a society. There are no winner, only losers. Any fool on either side can identify a problem or an injustice, past or present, and use it as a launching pad to make inappropriate, negative, and useless comments. An open mind and a willingness to cooperate are required to arrive at a solution. If circumstances or institutions are not to your liking, work to change them. Throughout our nation’s history incalculable numbers of American lives, black and white, have been sacrificed for us to have the right to do just that. It has been said, “All great change in America begins at the dinner table.” I agree that is a great place to start. I recognize and concede that my thoughts and opinions are no more or less valid than anyone else’s. If I am perceived as “riding the fence,” pontificating, or if I have offended anyone, please understand this is not my intent. My sincerest apologies if I have misspoken or been misunderstood. Let no one claim that it is wrong or inappropriate to harbor strong feelings, express opinions, or make a case. I simply believe that we can disagree, express ourselves civilly, and do so productively. We remain a better nation and a better people than many of the comments from both sides suggest. CLIFFS NOTES VERSION: Dear White Idiot Friends: Please refrain from making stupid (expletive) remarks about black people liking fried chicken and watermelon. That is a stereotype and you are showing your (expletive) ignorance and making it difficult for me to be white. Dear Black Idiot Friends: Please stop calling white people (expletive) crackers and threatening to burn down their (expletive) homes and businesses. This is not helping. Dear All Varieties of Idiot Friends: This is America, we are Americans, and we pride ourselves on second chances. Should you choose to enter the arena of constructive dialogue, people like me are all ears. GEE WHIZ!
Posted on: Mon, 15 Jul 2013 05:48:23 +0000

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