I wonder why it has to come to the death of a child to actually affect change.  Trayvon Martin was essentially still a child on his way to manhood when he was shot dead by George Zimmerman as he was returning to his father's house in a gated community in Florida.  George Zimmerman seems to have invoked the "Stand Your Ground" law inferring that this crime was committed in self defense.  How can you claim self defense when you are the stalker, when you are following this young man on the way home from the store with a pack of Skittles, a can of ice tea?  What ground was George standing?  Why did Zimmerman continue to follow Trayvon against the instructions of the 911 operator who clearly told Zimmerman to not pursue Travyon?

Today was Mother's Day.  I have all of my children, all in good health, hopefully on the way to successful, happy and productive lives.  Trayvon's mother has demonstrated strength and character I know very well that I certainly incapable of demonstrating under any circumstance.  While I was surrounded by my children, Sybrina Fulton was missing her son.  

My father died at the age of 73 and his mother grieved him as if he were her six year old son.  It is against the natural order of life which makes it unbearable to survive one's child.  No parent should ever have to witness the death of the child.  My heart goes out to Ms. Fulton.  I cannot even begin to comprehend her pain and sense of loss.  

What compounds the tragedy in this case, it the political circus which has flowed from Trayvon Martin's death.  The attempt to justify the murder of this young man is shameful.  From accusations of drug use, sporatic school attendence, the victim's Facebook postings and Twitter tweets to in someway try to give justification to an unjustifiable act.  George Zimmerman didn't know anything about Trayvon Martin and to sully the victim's character in order to legalize the murder of a young, unarmed teenager is obscene.  

Trayvon Martin was a teenager.  He was just beginning to make his way in the world.  He, I am sure, made mistakes, challenged his parents, and did what he was supposed to do, which is to be a teenager.  It is not unlike my children, my friend's children and most teenagers who are still trying to figure it out.  

So today on Mother's Day, while I look at my sleeping children, safe in their beds, I cannot help but wonder how Sabryina Fulton was able to get through the day.  I think of the horrible weight she must carry, knowing she will not see her child again.  While reporters and politicians attempt to demonize the victim, I want them to remember the following.  Trayvon Martin did not die from an illness.  Travyon Martin did not die in an accident.  Trayvon Martin died simply from being a young, black male walking through an unfamiliar community by a wannabe cop who applied racial profiling to determine the Trayvon was a risk to the community.  To attempt to justify his shooting through character assassination of the victim is not only shameful, but absolutely disguting.

Only in America….

There was a time when those who came to America, came to fulfill their dreams, provide a better future for their descendants, a land of possibility.  Hopes began with "When in America" and when success and prosperity rewarded the hard work of these immigrants they later said "Only in America".

The America of the past no longer exists and has been replaced with a corporate run government in which people no longer are considered a country's greatest asset, but is replaced by corporate domination.  Only in America is the country's strength is measured not in its' people, but in its dominance of lessor nations.  

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We claim to be enlightened, we make all of the politically correct noises when confronted with racist rhetoric and yet we fail to actually, talk the talk and walk the walk.  We are all big on condemning those we feel espouse rhetoric fuelled by racist sentiment, but the reality seems to be diametrically opposite of what we claim to abhor.

Case in point is Travyon Martin and his tragic death.  Travyon Martin was a 17-year-old young man who was walking back to his father and stepmother’s house that he visiting with a bag of skittles and iced tea in hand when he was shot by 28 year old George Zimmerman.  Zimmerman, who was a neighbourhood watch captain, saw Travyon walking in this gated community and called 9-11 to report Martin’s suspicious behavior.

Zimmerman called 9/11 to report his suspicions stating, "This guy looks like he is up to no good. He is on drugs or something, these assholes".

The 9/11 operator then asked Zimmerman “Are you following him?”  Zimmerman responded in the affirmative. The 9/11 clearly told Zimmerman “we don’t need you to do this” instructing Zimmerman not to pursue Martin. Zimmerman then told the operator “They always get away.”

What followed were the panicked final moments of Trayvon’s life, his panicked cry for help heard on additional 9/11 calls made by residents.  An altercation ensued ending in a final shot resulting in Trayvon’s death.  George Zimmerman claimed self-defense and has not been charged in the shooting.

Many questions arise in regard to Trayvon’s death.  First of all, why is a neighborhood watch captain carrying a gun?  In addition, it has come to light that neighbours had complained about Zimmerman’s role in the neighbourhood watch.  Further, Zimmerman was previously charged (2005), albeit charges were dropped, of a crime of violence.

Zimmerman’s father claims that George is not a racist and in fact, is Hispanic.  I question that if George had seen a white teenager walking in the neighbourhood, would he still have considered the teen suspicious.  Further, even if Zimmerman’s actions were not race motivated, the handling of the case certainly reeks of it. 

For Zimmerman to have not been charged in the month that has ensued is unconscionable.  When we witness the death of a young African American man and hold no one accountable, we are nothing more than the racists.  I fear for the lives of young black American males and along with this, I wonder what has become of us?