Trayvon Martin’s murder and the subsequent acquittal of George Zimmerman has sparked passionate debates across the nation. Because race and death is involved, the backlash has been polarizing. Overall, it shows how deeply divided we are in America when it comes to injustice and the way it’s analyzed.
Romany Malco of the film Think Like A Man, recently published an article, “A Message to Trayvon Martin Sympathizers.”
Malco attempted to speak directly to the black people who have rallied around Martin’s death and the unfortunate Zimmerman verdict. He also takes aim at the media and blacks who are motivated by it.
But while Malco was earnest in his presentation, his execution was flawed.
Here is why Romany Malco is wrong about Trayvon Martin “sympathizers.”
It attempts to minimize the death of an innocent Black teen
“My point being, people are up in arms about Trayvon based on regurgitated pundits and manipulated facts aired to elicit emotion while fueling America’s anger and division.”–Malco
Contrary to Malco’s belief, most of the “sympathizers” who are upset over Martin’s death have not been swayed by what they heard on CNN or MSNBC. They are up in arms because they grieve with Trayvon’s mother and father. They see their own sons as targets in a nation that has historically shown disregard for young black males. The verdict sent the message of “you can kill an unarmed black child and get away with it.” The “sympathizers” are fighting and marching so that notion is no longer accepted by this society.
It places blame on the victim
“I believe we lost that trial for Trayvon long before he was killed. Trayvon was doomed the moment ignorance became synonymous with young black America.”–Malco
Malco now blames the victim for putting himself in a position to be a victim. That’s like blaming a rape victim instead of pointing at the rapist. Was Trayvon’s hoodie a representation of black ignorance? It’s ignorant to assume the worst of a racial group based on a rap song you heard or a movie you saw. That’s more of an indictment on those who view other races with short-sightedness.
It losses focus on the real issue
“If we really wanted to ensure Trayvon Martin’s killing was not in vain, we’d stop perpetuating negative images that are now synonymous with black men in America. We’d stop rapping about selling drugs and killing n—s.”–Malco
It’s true, there are poor images of blacks that are perpetuated by other blacks. However, Maclo appears to assume that blacks are a monolithic people represented by one segment of a culture. Chief Keef, Mos Def or Jay-Z doesn’t represent the entire black community. Neither does Cornel West, Jeff Johnson or Lamont Hill.
When it comes down to the basics, Trayvon Martin didn’t have a criminal record. But Zimmerman was arrested three times and accused by a relative of child molestation. Zimmerman should not have been allowed to own a gun in the first place. Moreover, the guys who killed Emmett Till, and murdered four black girls by bombing the 16th Street Baptist church, were not swayed by negative images perpetuated by blacks.
The bigger issue is with people who believe they can profile and attack others based on race.
It’s a clear sign of ‘slacktivism’
“To be brutally honest, the only reason people are even aware of Trayvon Martin is because it became a topic within mainstream news and pop culture. Meaning: News directors saw it as a profitable, sensational story. Hundreds die annually in South Side Chicago without even a blurb.”–Malco
Chicago’s black-on-black crime is a horrific issue that needs to be addressed until a solution occurs. However, this shouldn’t be placed in the subject with Trayvon Martin because the two issues are completely separate. It’s similar to getting upset with breast cancer activists because they aren’t focusing on doing enough to help victims of oral cancer. It makes no sense. It’s an irrational statement and a sign of “slacktivism.”
Has Malco tweeted about the victims who were murdered in Chicago? Has he created a rally to march for the victims and prayed with their families? Has he gone to Chicago to speak with Black Gangster Disciples and other gang members to get to the bottom of the issue? If not, he’s just as bad as the people he seeks to criticize in his essay.
