Why the questions regarding race in the Zimmerman trial?

[Sheepshank]

I can't figure out why it seems so important to continually press the idea that Trayvon, this girl friend or his step mother feel this killing may have been racially motivated?

What IF they thought it was racially motivated...then what?
What if they were not sure...then what?

What difference does it make?

[Buzz Clik]

1. Because if it is not racially motivated, it is not interesting -- to either side.

What would talk about?

[JI7]

2. the family is full of racists, the dad and brother have made racist comments

Zimmerman's calls are mostly reporting on suspicious people who just happen to be black males .

[elleng]

3. Its about motive/intention of shooter,

which is relevant to jury's job.

'charged with second-degree murder.

The murder charge indicates prosecutors plan to prove Zimmerman shot Martin with malice, though without premeditation. A manslaughter charge would have required prosecutors to prove only that Zimmerman acted unlawfully and with criminal negligence in shooting the teen.

"The difference between murder and manslaughter is your mental state," said Mark Geragos, a Los Angeles defense attorney, who is not connected to the case. "To elevate it to murder, you have to have the element of malice."'

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/11/george-zimmerman-trayvon-martin-charged-second-degree-murder_n_1417198.html

[Just Saying]

4. THIS ^^

Exactly right.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

5. Turn your question around: Why are so many people dismissing RACE as a motivating factor?

Why? Because it's so difficult to believe? Because you believe that since you're not a racist, therefore others may not be, either?

I'm trying to understand the other side of this argument.

Racial profiling DOES exist. And if you really believe that had Trayvon Martin been a white teenager walking home with a small bag of skittles and a fruit juice who had been followed, shot and killed without reason, would you still be asking this same ignorant question?

[Sheepshank]

7. I know what you are saying, but outside of the social issues with racism....

...I don't know how racism changes the outcome of the shooting. If Zimmerman is a racist Martin is dead. If Zimmerman is NOT deemed a racist Martin is dead.

The post further up thread that goes to motive, makes some sense to me however. The reasons for killing Martin would have a bearing on the level of crime.

I absolutely do believe that racsim is alive and well fed......unfortunatley.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

8. Racism changes the outcome of the shooting because if race is the motivating factor

behind the shooting, then the prosecution has established motive. Not only that, there's an "intent" there. That's why this case has so many empassioned responses. We know intuitively that race was a factor, but it's hard to prove psychological racism in the court of law. Hate crimes were meant to do that in part, but this case is more complex. I agree that the burden is on the prosecution, and I don't think that racism is what the prosecution is arguing for. However, during the course of the deliberation, if there is a pattern of behavior; in other words, if Zimmerman consistently sought out blacks, then that's important because it would establish motive.

The issue is what motivated Zimmerman to act as he did? What made him get out of his vehicle and pursue Trayvon without any evidence that he was doing some wrong or suspicious? He was merely walking. Not looking into windows, not following someone, not harassing anyone--just walking in the rain. Why did Zimmerman follow him? What was the motivation? Many people believe that black men are automatically suspicious. I and many others believe that Trayvon was racially profiled and pursued without evidence of having done something wrong or suspicious.

Even if it's not about race, as you say, are you even curious about why Zimmerman pursued this young man without cause? Not even a little bit?

[Sheepshank]

11. I am curious...of course I am curious

A young man is dead and that I guess is the bottom line for me...and how that breaks my heart.

If relying on the racist portion of the presecution blows this whole case, then it has not done well by the parents or Trayvon.

I didn't realize at the time I posted the OP that the prosecution was pushing for this type of murder charge and in addition to proving the unprovoked killing had to ALSO push for a racial component...I guess I was assuming this was all about "was the shooting justified under some self defense law or not". I assumed that this court case was about determining if Trayvon was the attacker or not, not what Zimmerman's underlying motive was.

I appreciate the clarifications....really.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

12. The charge is second degree murder. I don't think race was cited as a motivating factor

per say. Zimmerman claims that the murder was the result of self defense. But again, self defense in what respect? What did Trayvon do to threaten Zimmerman's life?

And the more important question:

What motivated Zimmerman to pursue Trayvon?

If Zimmerman deliberately pursued Trayvon, don't you think that it would be difficult for him to then turn around and claim self defense? Doesn't that seem odd? Why do so many people give Zimmerman the benefit of the doubt? They refuse to entertain any other scenario other than what Zimmerman and his defense attorneys have put forward.

A person who is fearful of someone and who was told not to pursue the suspect decides--despite that fear--to pursue the alleged perpetrator. When said alleged perpetrator (Trayvon Martin) understandably becomes agitated and most likely felt his life threatened by this stranger following him, doesn't it sound strange for the pursuer to turn around and claim self defense? It seems more likely that Trayvon was attempting to defend himself.

Remember, Zimmerman is not a person of authority. He's not a cop. He's not the dispatcher. Trayvon doesn't have to do what this guy says. Trayvon was simply walking home from the corner grocery store. He had every right to be in that neighborhood as Zimmerman did.

Perhaps because black men are often racially profiled, couldn't you totally understand if Trayvon became agitated? Wouldn't you be annoyed by the fact that someone always thinks you're up to no good due to the color of your skin? Black women are most likely to be followed when they go into retail stores. As a black woman, I can tell you that it's not only humiliating, it is frustrating and annoying. I've had enough. Could you blame Trayvon if he had had enough that night? Would you blame him if he threw the first punch? Again, some stranger is following him and gave him no explanation as to why he was pursuing him. Wouldn't you feel that your life was in danger? Ask any woman of ANY color or background that if she were being pursued by some stranger, wouldn't she feel that her life was in danger? I'm telling that she would.

[Sheepshank]

13. perhpas it's my naitivity...but

you said: If Zimmerman deliberately pursued Trayvon, don't you think that it would be difficult for him to then turn around and claim self defense? I assumed that making the case and proving that Zimmerman followed Trayvon is a big deal...and it would have been relatively easy to prove. Proving that it was done on the basis of racial profiling, doesn't change that Zimmerman followed Martin. In fact it could hurt this one aspect of the timeline if not proven to be 100% true.

FWIW for good or bad, I have told my kids that if avoiding a potentially hazardours situation isn't possible, then they do need to confront. Trayvon was a healthy teen with all the vigor of a teen male. IF he did confront Zimmerman I believe he did what most city dwelling, normal healthy teen male would have done....and it would be a normal reaction. Fight or flight.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

14. O.K., that all makes sense. We do agree with one important point....

...it doesn't matter if Zimmerman's actions were motivated by race. O.K., I understand. It matters much more that he defied the 911 dispatcher and followed Trayvon Martin.

Actually, it doesn't even matter that he defied the dispatcher. Why was he following Trayvon in the first place? And if it is the case that he followed and actively pursued Trayvon, he can't then turn around and argue that he was acting his self defense. It doesn't make sense, and I'm sure that the prosecution should be pursuing that line of reasoning with as much vigor as Zimmerman pursued Trayvon!

----

Serano's interregation of Zimmerman from today's hearing:

Zimmerman claims Trayvon had his hand in his waistband when he came to the car...but the story changed on the 911 call when he first saw Trayvon reported him walking with his hand in his waistband.

The female deputy attorney with Serano asked why Zimmerman got out of his car. Zimmerman had no response.

The deputy then says:

"If you didn't get out of your car, we wouldn't be here right now..."

And THAT is, as they say, the proverbial nail hitting the head!!!

[Marrah_G]

6. sigh

[Zoeisright]

10. No shit.

The stupidity about racism in this country is deep and wide.

[CakeGrrl]

9. Easy. Zimmerman wouldn't have chased down and shot a white kid.

I firmly believe that, as do many others.

I know people who've been profiled because of race.

I have been treated differently and called names because of my race.

It is NOT acceptable to be singled out for violence, and the message needs to be sent that it won't be allowed. People should not live in fear of being killed because people don't like the way they look or the fact that they're otherwise different from someone who has intolerance toward others.