NOT GUILTY? THEN WHO IS TO BLAME?

I SHARE THIS THOUGHT FROM JULY 14th - AFTER THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE GEORGE ZIMMERMAN VERDICT:

The justice system has spoken. As a citizen, I am obligated to accept the verdict. But, there is a deep sense of sadness in my heart this morning and our country should be alarmed by what has and will transpire as a result of this trial. My thoughts are these: Our justice system is the best that we have, but it is flawed. I won’t begin to break down the case because I did not watch the trial, but my premise is very simple: this event involved two people. Despite all the evidence, the simple fact is we heard only one side of the story. We do not and can never know what really happened and, I suppose, reasonable doubt is a logical conclusion. However, it does not erase the fact that a great tragedy occurred where an unarmed seventeen-year-old boy was shot dead by a man who initiated the encounter by following him with suspicion. Somehow, this has become a political hotbed of liberals vs. conservatives. But, no matter the outcome, we have all lost. Black children and men alike will continue to be forced to exist in this country with constant fear of suspicion. Stand-your-ground laws will encourage more George Zimmermans. Our justice system will be mired in cases where guilt or innocence will be trumped by unknowable intention. Sooner or later, a victim won't be a kid in a far away state, but it could very well be someone we know and love. Who are the real villains here? It’s the state legislatures, such as Florida, who believe it is proper to pass laws where murder becomes an acceptable alternative. And through the political battles to come, many – on both sides – will forget what really happened here - the tragic loss of a teenager who, except for another man’s actions, was simply walking home from the store.