Zimmerman Acquital Will Lead To Riots?

[Mike S]

<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> "If there are riots, it will be the prosecutor’s fault.” -- Alan Dershowitz, Harvard Law Professor




More than just the prosecutor, Mr. Dershowitz, more than just the prosecutor. Every talking head from MSNBC and NBC and The New York Times who's done his best to demonize Zimmerman in public opinion, and declare him guilty before a trial, will have encouraged riots.




[video=youtube;KCK3bLbhAQM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=KCK3bLbhAQM[/video]

 

[Danus]

There you go Mark.

All he's saying is that based on the law in FL it would be wrong to to bring Zimmerman to trial, and he's right based on the SYG law.

Would it be the fault of the prosecution if riots take place? NO! It will be the fault of those who engage in that, but I am personally not convinced that riots are because some people think this man will be convicted and get upset about that.

Many might riot to effect change.

The SYG law is defective. it does not go far enough to hold people responsible for engaging the public with a concealed weapon they intend to use. It's dangerous for the public and for those who want to carry guns. All that will be brought up because of this trial. Mark my words.

Is it race thing? we'll no. Some will make it that, and that should be understood. It's a fair argument, and laws like this make it a fair argument.

If white people are upset because black people are upset then we all need to take a good look at stupid laws like this that make that possible.

 

[Mike S]

There you go Mark.

All he's saying is that based on the law in FL it would be wrong to to bring Zimmerman to trial, and he's right based on the SYG law.

He's saying "If there are riots, it will be the prosecutor's fault."

If white people are upset because black people are upset then we all need to take a good look at stupid laws like this that make that possible.

I'm a "white people" and I'm not upset that black people are upset. I'm upset...no that's too mild...I'm furious that the media, and politicians, and everyone else with an axe to grind, turns this thing into a political circus. This is no different than events in the 20s and 30s when whites were whipped into a lethal frenzy every time a black was on trial for attacking a white. Strange fruit, indeed.

 

[Danus]

He's saying "If there are riots, it will be the prosecutor's fault."

Yes but listen to his main points. Riots are not his main point. That's what the media wants us to hear.

They are working two sides of the fence. They want to outrage blacks and whites.

His main point is that the law, as it is, allows Zimmerman to not be arrested and will allow him to be acquitted. He's right. And we should be outraged, but that's where each person needs to take a good look at what they are upset about, and trace that back to it proper origin.

Is it racial profiling? Is it angry black people? it it the media? Well it may be these things, true....but it should be the law also.

Justice and injustice in this world is served under the definition of the law. We are all fallen, and we will all sin in our hearts, but when the law leans to the sinner....we need to take a look at it.

I can't say why Zimmerman shot Trayvon. Maybe he did not trust or like black people? Maybe he thought Trayvon fit the profile of those breaking in to his neighborhood? Maybe Trayvon attacked him. Maybe he didn't. In any case no one is right, but the law needs to reflect what is wrong, in order to better protect what is right.

This guy is a defense attorney. He builds his cases on the law, Defending Zimmerman is simple. Anyone should be able to get him off these charges, but that's because of the law. Not because his innocent or good or right.

 

[Mike S]

Yes but listen to his main points. Riots are not his main point. That's what the media wants us to hear.

They are working two sides of the fence. They want to outrage blacks and whites.

His main point is that the law, as it is, allows Zimmerman to not be arrested and will allow him to be acquitted. He's right. And we should be outraged, but that's where each person needs to take a good look at what they are upset about, and trace that back to it proper origin.

Is it racial profiling? Is it angry black people? it it the media? Well it may be these things, true....but it should be the law also.

Justice and injustice in this world is served under the definition of the law. We are all fallen, and we will all sin in our hearts, but when the law leans to the sinner....we need to take a look at it.

I can't say why Zimmerman shot Trayvon. Maybe he did not trust or like black people? Maybe he thought Trayvon fit the profile of those breaking in to his neighborhood? Maybe Trayvon attacked him. Maybe he didn't. In any case no one is right, but the law needs to reflect what is wrong, in order to better protect what is right.

This guy is a defense attorney. He builds his cases on the law, Defending Zimmerman is simple. Anyone should be able to get him off these charges, but that's because of the law. Not because his innocent or good or right.

He mentions the SYG law only once, and then blows by it to say it's a matter of self defense in any case. Zimmerman has a right to self defense even if the SYG law didn't exist. This is not about the SYG law. Dershowitz is talking about the prosecutor withholding evidence and handing down an indictment that in no way justifies the charges.

I don't care if Florida decides to reconsider the SYG law, it's only a tangential issue.


Dershowitz: “My great fear is that the prosecutor has raised the stakes, has raised expectations, that she may be responsible for whatever the results are if there’s an acquittal, which I suspect there wil be in this case.”

Kelly: “Why’d she do that?”
<O:p</O:p
Dershowitz: “Because she’s a politically elected person, who was appointed to get Zimmerman. She was appointed to prevent riots. She wasn’t appointed to do justice.”<O:p</O:p

 

[Danus]

He mentions the SYG law only once, and then blows by it to say it's a matter of self defense in any case. Zimmerman has a right to self defense even if the SYG law didn't exist. This is not about the SYG law. Dershowitz is talking about the prosecutor withholding evidence and handing down an indictment that in no way justifies the charges.

I don't care if Florida decides to reconsider the SYG law, it's only a tangential issue.

The subject of rights is often confused with privileges.

Yes people have a right to defend themselves, but there is a context to that right.

If your going to say Zimmerman had a right to defend himself then you have to also say that Trayvon had a right to defend himself, and since Trayvon was not out looking for Zimmerman, yet he fit in Zimmerman's mind who Zimmerman was out looking for then the responsibility falls on Zimmerman, but that can only be judged in court within the confines of the law. The Stand your ground law. That's the law that addresses this.

What also complicates this is that Zimmerman had a privileged right that Trayvon did not have. The right to carry a gun. With that comes a level of responsibility, but that is defined by the law, and in this case that law in FL is the SYG law.

Under that law as it is, Zimmerman should never have been brought to trial, based on the evidence. That's what he's saying. He's correct, and that's a shame.

The fact that they charged him is a mute point. The state can level charges on anyone for anything. It's what happens in court. Those photos can be, and will be admitted into evidence, it does not matter that the state did not admit them in the charge. They already said a struggle took place.

 

[Mike S]

The subject of rights is often confused with privileges.

Yes people have a right to defend themselves, but there is a context to that right.

If your going to say Zimmerman had a right to defend himself then you have to also say that Trayvon had a right to defend himself, and since Trayvon was not out looking for Zimmerman, yet he fit in Zimmerman's mind who Zimmerman was out looking for then the responsibility falls on Zimmerman, but that can only be judged in court within the confines of the law. The Stand your ground law. That's the law that addresses this.

What also complicates this is that Zimmerman had a privileged right that Trayvon did not have. The right to carry a gun. With that comes a level of responsibility, but that is defined by the law, and in this case that law in FL is the SYG law.

Under that law as it is, Zimmerman should never have been brought to trial, based on the evidence. That's what he's saying. He's correct, and that's a shame.

The fact that they charged him is a mute point. The state can level charges on anyone for anything. It's what happens in court. Those photos can be, and will be admitted into evidence, it does not matter that the state did not admit them in the charge. They already said a struggle took place.

Danus,

I respect your opinion, it's obvious you've thought about this a lot and have made some good points, but it seems we're arguing two different points.

You are talking about the technicalities of the law, especially the SYG law (on which I disagree with you), while I'm talking about the political and racial firestorm that's been created by the very public and very intentional actions of politicians and agitators who who build their careers around inflaming racial tensions. It should be clear to anyone what the narrative is here; black innocence and white hatred. NBC media editing the 911 call to make Zimmerman sound racist, and the ever evolving description of his background, "white...no white Hispanic...no white/black Hispanic...and color of skin doesn't matter anyway because white really means privilege." The law SHOULD be what matters - and would be if this just went to court without the political circus - but far too many people are intentionally making this about everything other than the facts of the confrontation.

You think this is just random! Never let a crisis go to waste.

 

[Danus]

Danus,

I respect your opinion, it's obvious you've thought about this a lot and have made some good points, but it seems we're arguing two different points.

You are talking about the technicalities of the law, especially the SYG law (on which I disagree with you), while I'm talking about the political and racial firestorm that's been created by the very public and very intentional actions of politicians and agitators who who build their careers around inflaming racial tensions. It should be clear to anyone what the narrative is here; black innocence and white hatred. NBC media editing the 911 call to make Zimmerman sound racist, and the ever evolving description of his background, "white...no white Hispanic...no white/black Hispanic...and color of skin doesn't matter anyway because white really means privilege." The law SHOULD be what matters - and would be if this just went to court without the political circus - but far too many people are intentionally making this about everything other than the facts of the confrontation.

You think this is just random! Never let a crisis go to waste.

Well let's talk about that. Yes, it bothers me, but that that's the way it is, but the good of it is that people have to think about where they stand and assimilate their feelings.

Media aside for just a bit; It's not fair to paint any community/group of people with a broad brush. Not all Black people are riotous malcontents heck bent on getting their fair share by means of retribution, and not all white people are oppressive power hungry invaders fearful of others. ....I'm making these ridiculous statements because that's what the media is painting about society .....give or take.

Take riots for example. Dershowitz says it's the prosecutors fault if the "Black" people riot. He did not say that word for word, but that's what he means. That's what is in his heart. If I where black I'd be outraged at his comments.

 

[Mike S]

Well let's talk about that. Yes, it bothers me, but that that's the way it is, but the good of it is that people have to think about where they stand and assimilate their feelings.

Media aside for just a bit; It's not fair to paint any community/group of people with a broad brush. Not all Black people are riotous malcontents heck bent on getting their fair share by means of retribution, and not all white people are oppressive power hungry invaders fearful of others. ....I'm making these ridiculous statements because that's what the media is painting about society .....give or take.

Take riots for example. Dershowitz says it's the prosecutors fault if the "Black" people riot. He did not say that word for word, but that's what he means. That's what is in his heart. If I where black I'd be outraged at his comments.

I think you're making this much more about "black people rioting" than either Dershowitz or I believe. This has racial overtones, to be sure, but it's more about manufactured outrage in general. Most of the people who are stoking this thing, I think you know, are white, not black. Whether it's the media and agitators stoking white against black anger, or black against white anger, why do we put up with it? I've lived and worked and worshiped and raised my kids in a majority black community for more than 30 years, and by necessity of circumstances, almost all my friends and neighbors are black. You really think I want to offend blacks by singling them out for accusations of racism?

What is offensive is people taking advantage of every tragic circumstance to foment tension and division for a political agenda. If by some miracle, we were able to eliminate racial differences overnight, by tomorrow afternoon we would have found a brand new reason to pit one group of people against another for political advantage. We probably can't avoid that - it's human nature - but we can rail against it when it happens. I'm railing against it now.

 

[Danus]

What is offensive is people taking advantage of every tragic circumstance to foment tension and division for a political agenda. If by some miracle, we were able to eliminate racial differences overnight, by tomorrow afternoon we would have found a brand new reason to pit one group of people against another for political advantage. We probably can't avoid that - it's human nature - but we can rail against it when it happens. I'm railing against it now.

I agree. But, to be clear I'm not making this about a black thing, nor do I want to be accused of that.

I am outraged that this kid was shot to death like that. The media is the media. That's what they do, but the media is not responsible for how people act.

I'll give the black community grace to vent, because I think they need to have that moment if only to get their heads around this. the Jackson's and the Sharpton's are just doing what they do, but they don't represent all black people. But there are white people who support Zimmerman for the wrong reasons.

For me, all people are evil. This is about a law that does not hold people fully accountable for their actions to the point it should.

You can claim self defense all you want in this case, but there are clearly other aspects. When people can't walk down the street and be safe form someone carrying a gun in the name of self defense...we as a society need to look a little harder at the elements to answer why that is.

As Christians we need to look at our hearts a little better than to just say I had to kill that guy in self defense, or I had to carry my gun because someone might break into my house and steal my flat screen, or worse because the last few thieves where black young men, I better check out that black guy. :eeeekkk

Is that the message of Christ?

White people don't exclusively own the badge of racism. I know that, but white people in general also don't understand institutional racism as much as many in the black community do. There is a history there.

Christ says we are to love those that hate us. WOW. Where was that in this case? It's not easy, and we don't have the power to do it, but the effort starts with Christ in us. He has the power for us. If that's true, we need not fear or be outraged about the media, the world, our enemies, but we do need to extend our grace and understanding from where we are to our neighbors whom God loves just as much.

Could Zimmerman have handled this better than he did? How could he? It was raining. Could he have said; hey man I'm the neighborhood watch guy, can I give you a lift? He was more frightened to meet that kid than he was to shoot him, and if we are outraged about any of this it should be that.

 

[jasoncran]

while i wont say that i have been hated as much as blacks in america, i can say a certian state in europe and also many a muslims wouldnt shed a tear if my race was killed off.

and i have hidden my name so to speak to muslims in afghanistan.

 

[Mike S]

I agree. But, to be clear I'm not making this about a black thing, nor do I want to be accused of that.

I am outraged that this kid was shot to death like that. The media is the media. That's what they do, but the media is not responsible for how people act.

I'll give the black community grace to vent, because I think they need to have that moment if only to get their heads around this. the Jackson's and the Sharpton's are just doing what they do, but they don't represent all black people. But there are white people who support Zimmerman for the wrong reasons.

For me, all people are evil. This is about a law that does not hold people fully accountable for their actions to the point it should.

You can claim self defense all you want in this case, but there are clearly other aspects. When people can't walk down the street and be safe form someone carrying a gun in the name of self defense...we as a society need to look a little harder at the elements to answer why that is.

You realize, don't you, that black on white crime is more than twice as common as white on black crime, in absolute numbers - including murder - even though blacks are only about 13% of the U.S. population? So,are you looking a little harder at the elements to answer why that is?

As Christians we need to look at our hearts a little better than to just say I had to kill that guy in self defense, or I had to carry my gun because someone might break into my house and steal my flat screen, or worse because the last few thieves where black young men, I better check out that black guy. :eeeekkk

Is that the message of Christ?

White people don't exclusively own the badge of racism. I know that, but white people in general also don't understand institutional racism as much as many in the black community do. There is a history there.

Do we ever get past racism, to a united country, or do we just move to a "time for payback" culture?

Christ says we are to love those that hate us. WOW. Where was that in this case? It's not easy, and we don't have the power to do it, but the effort starts with Christ in us. He has the power for us. If that's true, we need not fear or be outraged about the media, the world, our enemies, but we do need to extend our grace and understanding from where we are to our neighbors whom God loves just as much.

Could Zimmerman have handled this better than he did? How could he? It was raining. Could he have said; hey man I'm the neighborhood watch guy, can I give you a lift? He was more frightened to meet that kid than he was to shoot him, and if we are outraged about any of this it should be that.

I don't think you know how Zimmerman handled this situation, or what led up to it, and neither do I. None of us who weren't intimately involved know.

I agree we all are sinners by nature, and we need to follow Christ's example of service, and humility, and sacrifice, and to love our neighbor. But inflaming racial tensions for political advantage isn't it; not when the defendent is black, and not when he's white.

 

[Danus]

I refused to be inflamed in that way. That's what the world wants and I'm personalty not falling for it no matter how much crime statistics say black people riot or commit crimes.

If I had a choice of carrying a concealed weapon or the bible....I'll choose the bible. It's much more powerful.

 

[Mike S]

I refused to be inflamed in that way. That's what the world wants and I'm personalty not falling for it no matter how much crime statistics say black people riot or commit crimes.

If I had a choice of carrying a concealed weapon or the bible....I'll choose the bible. It's much more powerful.

That's admirable, it's a Christian way of thinking. And I, like you, expect that all Christians should strive to understand that...all of us, Danus. As Christians we can't be inflamed like that. But, you know what Danus? Blacks are Christians too. Can we expect them to be Christian, and refuse to be inflamed? Or are blacks held to a lower standard because of our history of slavery and Jim Crow? Isn't that another way of saying they aren't as good as whites are, we can't expect as much of them?

Slavery and discrimination is a shameful part of our American experience we can't erase. We have to get past it, and that can be harder for blacks to accept than whites. You think I don't understand that when I'm kneeling at the altar with my black Christian brothers and sisters, some of whom grew up in the pre-1960s, segregated south?

 

[Bob Carabbio]

Depends on how it's handled by the media.

"If there are riots, it will be the prosecutor’s fault.”

Nah - it'll be the FAULT of the folks who WANT riots - the "Special interest groups", and the Media that PRAYS for some rotten piece of meat to feast on themselves, and feed to us. Zimmerman was ALMOST as good as a baby trapped down a well, and the TOTAL dishonesty of the media in handling it was awesome.

Seems like the community immediately "Lost interest" in the whole thing since the arrest was made, and they didn't even react very much to Zimmerman being bonded out. Looks to me that the "Novelty" may have played out on this one, and we're all ready to obsess uselessly, and meaninglessly about something else.

 

[Ace1234]

GZ shouldn't have had a gun in the first place, it's clear his father a judge got him out of 3 criminal offenses, two which were violent.

The victim is dead, so we will never know the complete truth, however, it seems clear GZ was racially profiling this kid, but don't we all profile to an extent.

Hard case, people get in fights everyday, but in this case because he had a gun someone got killed.

 

[Mike S]

GZ shouldn't have had a gun in the first place, it's clear his father a judge got him out of 3 criminal offenses, two which were violent.

The victim is dead, so we will never know the complete truth, however, it seems clear GZ was racially profiling this kid, but don't we all profile to an extent.

Hard case, people get in fights everyday, but in this case because he had a gun someone got killed.

If something about this case seems "clear" it's because we're willing to make judgements based on only media filtered "facts."

 

[Danus]

That's admirable, it's a Christian way of thinking. And I, like you, expect that all Christians should strive to understand that...all of us, Danus. As Christians we can't be inflamed like that. But, you know what Danus? Blacks are Christians too. Can we expect them to be Christian, and refuse to be inflamed? Or are blacks held to a lower standard because of our history of slavery and Jim Crow? Isn't that another way of saying they aren't as good as whites are, we can't expect as much of them?

Many Christians are black. I attend one of the few truly integrated churches in America, and I know many Christians who are black people. I've studied the bible with many, and some have helped teach and guide me. One of my most trusted mentors is my neighbor across the street. He's black. I know him very well.

It's statements like the one made in that video, and by people saying "they" will riot, or "that" guy looks suspicious, who are viewing blacks as less. IMO.

When he said it will be the prosecutors fault if there are riots....that's a racist statement. That's saying that black people will riot because they think this guy will be convicted, and are too dumb to know this guy could be acquitted, and it will be the white prosecutors fault for not controlling the black community, and leading them on like this.

He does not get it. He's blind to the message the black community has around this case. He may be an expert on the law, but he's an idiot on the reading the hearts of society. You may say this is not about race because you don't want it to be, but it is to some, like it or not.

There is that element to this, and just because there is a law that allows people to defend themselves doe not mean that law is all together right when it comes to whats in the heart of a person.

When the "special prosecutor" made the statement that they don't give in to public pressure to bring up charges....what a joke. :toofunny...That's the only reason this is going to trial. Zimmerman would never have been arrested otherwise. The police said it, and all the experts agree, but there is something wrong in this case. people feel it, and those who don't, don't care.

Here where I live near Memphis TN, we know racism in a special way. We have a long history of it. I actually live in North Mississippi, but I grew up in Texas. Dallas.

My wife is from here. Her family, both mother and father side, farmed this area for 3 generations. Mostly cotton. One of My wife's grand fathers was shot and killed by a black man in the early 50's. That man did not get a trial.

Her farther's dad (Her other grand father) was a prominent farmer and owned the land that her mothers father share-cropped. That's sort of how my in-laws met. After he was killed my father in law and his brothers worked the land for them along with some hired hands. However, he (My father in laws dad) also portioned much of his land to black farmers for share cropping. In fact, that was what the dispute was about between her mom's dad and the black man who shot him. he wanted that land.

Anyway....point being, people are exactly the same regardless of race. There are people of better character than others and ones race has absolutely nothing to do with it.

I feel the effects of racism from some black people towards me at times. I would not go walking on third street in Memphis. I'd be profiled in a heart beat, but I live among many black families in my neighborhood. Some may not like me because I'm white, but then I can't just say that all black people are ( fill in the blank )

Have you ever seen the movie the grace card? It deals with this. People don't just hate people because of their race, they fear from being hurt and so they make up things to help rationalize their own fear, which may have an element of truth to it, but is ultimately a lie from the enemy.

There are no races among Christians, there are only Christ followers and non-followers, but as a Christ follower, I'm not going to sit here and keep my mouth shut about a man killing a kid like this, or the law that does not allow the community to judge what happened.

This case is now in the hands of the court and it's there because people in the community where outraged that it would not be otherwise because the way the law is in that state; but the jury will be placed in an awful spot when they go to decide this because the law as it is, will keep them within a small area of which to make a decision. All they can do is decide if they believe Zimmerman or not, and if they want to send a message they will just say, "we don't believe you." off the prison he will go despite the "evidence". Then all the gun people will be upset. No justice there either, and again it's because the law is poorly written. So, if you ask me rioting is about as righteous and just as writing lazy laws, in this case, and who should we blame for that? Black or White folks? don't answer that. It was a factitious statement meant to make a point.

 

[Pard]

It will be the fault of the media, the same as always. Every riot in recent history has been the fault of the media. Think about it, they whip people into a frenzy and then stand back to profit on the belligerent people they set on the world. The media profits when disaster strikes, and when there is no disaster they will make one up just for the heck of it. And this is why I read newspapers for my news, it's very hard to get worked up when reading the Wallstreet Journal.

What I really hate is when they prey on divisions in society like race, and then tell us that we are racists. The media is the biggest racist in the entire USA! They whip up one demographic and then attack everyone else when they get angry. People need to be angry at the media for what it does to society and how it deteriorates our society in order to benefit itself. I don't care if you need to make a living! Don't do it this way!

It won't turn out this way, but it'd be nice if people used this tragedy as a wake up call to see how the media and the politicians and the pundits and the lobbyists have taken them to the cleaners on the account of a dead kid. If he was my child I'd be flipping out at them all right now, no way no how I'd be up there with Rev. Al and his buddies selling my kid's good name for some fabricated race war! Of course I don't really blame them, they are just going along for the same ride everyone dialed into alphabet soup of news channels are taking.

And Danus, since it's Florida, maybe we can get away blaming the Cubans? ;) (IT"S A JOKE PEOPLE!)

 

[Mike S]

Many Christians are black. I attend one of the few truly integrated churches in America, and I know many Christians who are black people. I've studied the bible with many, and some have helped teach and guide me. One of my most trusted mentors is my neighbor across the street. He's black. I know him very well.

It's statements like the one made in that video, and by people saying "they" will riot, or "that" guy looks suspicious, who are viewing blacks as less. IMO.

When he said it will be the prosecutors fault if there are riots....that's a racist statement. That's saying that black people will riot because they think this guy will be convicted, and are too dumb to know this guy could be acquitted, and it will be the white prosecutors fault for not controlling the black community, and leading them on like this.

He does not get it. He's blind to the message the black community has around this case. He may be an expert on the law, but he's an idiot on the reading the hearts of society. You may say this is not about race because you don't want it to be, but it is to some, like it or not.

There is that element to this, and just because there is a law that allows people to defend themselves doe not mean that law is all together right when it comes to whats in the heart of a person.

When the "special prosecutor" made the statement that they don't give in to public pressure to bring up charges....what a joke. :toofunny...That's the only reason this is going to trial. Zimmerman would never have been arrested otherwise. The police said it, and all the experts agree, but there is something wrong in this case. people feel it, and those who don't, don't care.

Here where I live near Memphis TN, we know racism in a special way. We have a long history of it. I actually live in North Mississippi, but I grew up in Texas. Dallas.

My wife is from here. Her family, both mother and father side, farmed this area for 3 generations. Mostly cotton. One of My wife's grand fathers was shot and killed by a black man in the early 50's. That man did not get a trial.

Her farther's dad (Her other grand father) was a prominent farmer and owned the land that her mothers father share-cropped. That's sort of how my in-laws met. After he was killed my father in law and his brothers worked the land for them along with some hired hands. However, he (My father in laws dad) also portioned much of his land to black farmers for share cropping. In fact, that was what the dispute was about between her mom's dad and the black man who shot him. he wanted that land.

Anyway....point being, people are exactly the same regardless of race. There are people of better character than others and ones race has absolutely nothing to do with it.

I feel the effects of racism from some black people towards me at times. I would not go walking on third street in Memphis. I'd be profiled in a heart beat, but I live among many black families in my neighborhood. Some may not like me because I'm white, but then I can't just say that all black people are ( fill in the blank )

Have you ever seen the movie the grace card? It deals with this. People don't just hate people because of their race, they fear from being hurt and so they make up things to help rationalize their own fear, which may have an element of truth to it, but is ultimately a lie from the enemy.

There are no races among Christians, there are only Christ followers and non-followers, but as a Christ follower, I'm not going to sit here and keep my mouth shut about a man killing a kid like this, or the law that does not allow the community to judge what happened.

This case is now in the hands of the court and it's there because people in the community where outraged that it would not be otherwise because the way the law is in that state; but the jury will be placed in an awful spot when they go to decide this because the law as it is, will keep them within a small area of which to make a decision. All they can do is decide if they believe Zimmerman or not, and if they want to send a message they will just say, "we don't believe you." off the prison he will go despite the "evidence". Then all the gun people will be upset. No justice there either, and again it's because the law is poorly written. So, if you ask me rioting is about as righteous and just as writing lazy laws, in this case, and who should we blame for that? Black or White folks? don't answer that. It was a factitious statement meant to make a point.

Thanks for sharing your history, it helps me understand you a little better. But it makes me think you've made some bad assumptions. Do you assume I live in an all white community and know nothing about racism?