Thank you for publicly sharing your thoughts about this sorrowful incident. We need to see God’s work in healing. Prayers for sound leadership and justice in Florida.

From,
A friend from Church of the Open Door

Personally, I would like to hear more African-American leaders asking for people to wait until all the facts are out — and pastors especially should be reminding us that’s it’s more important to find out what the Truth really is, than to try to force the “facts” to fit our own ideologically-driven narratives. So much info has changed or come out since this story first broke and we still do not know what really happened. What I do know is that the events of that tragic night may turn out to be far more complex than the simple narrative of “innocent young African-American child stalked by armed trigger-happy racist white guy” — it is still too early to know.

Nevertheless, irresponsible people have used this tragedy to further their own agendas and blithely besmirched Florida law enforcement on the basis of their own assumptions. They have also “profiled” George Zimmerman, tweeted his address (incorrectly), put a bounty out for him “dead or alive,” and more or less accused all white people of being racists, closet or otherwise.

I want Zimmerman to be charged and convicted if, in fact, he was at fault here. But I don’t want him to be charged and convicted if, in fact, he really was defending himself. That doesn’t mean that Trayvon’s death still isn’t a horrible tragedy. Is is — but what is also a tragedy is that so many people, especially in the African American community, will be angry and disappointed and bitter if it turns out that Zimmerman isn’t the terrible guy they want him to be. That is sad.

I think many of your points you make are good. But I do see both sides of this. I hope you understand, I don’t want to belittle that a life was lost at all. Because I believe Every Life is important.

From my perspecive here’s the situation:
1) There’s a man in fear for his life defending himself that used deadly force
2) A young Black kid in the wrong place at the wrong time
3) Officials not responding quickly or correctly

Each of these all played a part in this young mans death. It is sad situation. But the more I learn and hear about this incident, I’m really not sure that race really played a part in this. But the incident opened the door to the conversation that really needs to be adressed and discussed in every community and church across America.

As a Hispanic that is married to a caucasian man who lives in the south, I see and receive subtle racism or prejudices all the time. Many of my minorty friends have as well all across the country. I beleive racism is still around but i dont that it is comparable to what our parents or grand parents endured. It is real and we need to educate people and create a culture of change. Yes prayer must be th fuel to it, but as with any injustice that happens in the world we must also raise awareness to the issue.

As you mentioned, I am also appalled at the so called civil-rights activists comments that just add more fuel to the flame instead of diffuse the situation. There are some who are speaking in truth and love. Did you see this article: http://www.charismamag.com/index.php/fire-in-my-bones/32598-dont-add-fuel-to-racisms-fire

On the other side of this I wonder, Do you think the outrage would have been the same if it was a Hispanic kid named “Trayjano Martinez” and the assailant was a caucasian or even a black man? Do you think would it have received the same global awareness and media frenzy? I am not sure that it would have. Which is also sad. Also, what and how so you think believers and the church respond to this?

I think you hit the nail on the head when in point 1, but that goes for every person that is born in to this world.They need to know what their identity is, why they are here and Who’s the image they have been created in. I think it is pretty eveident in todays American society that we hare in the midst of an identity crisis. this is the root of every issue we deal with today. And unfortunately it is only gonna get worse.

However, All the people that have unitedd and come together for this cause is so awesome to see!

I just wish more people would take a stand for the 54 Million unborn babies that have been murdered over 50% are African American and Hispanic. Trayvon’s life is just as important at the ones in the womb. Those that defend & promote choice, like to look passed the fact that Eugenisist founder Margaret Sanger was a racist with the Goal of eliminating all other races. Now that’s racism in its purist form!