-
Trayvon Martin Found Guilty of Being a Young Black Male
Jelani Cobb writes at the New Yorker that that the most damning component of George Zimmerman’s acquittal is the painful knowledge that Trayvon Martin was essentially found guilty of being a young black male. The not-guilty verdict in the George Zimmerman trial came down moments after I left a screening of “Fruitvale Station,” a film…
-
Black America: How Does It Feel to Be a Problem?
A day after George Zimmerman was acquitted in the shooting death of the unarmed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, MSNBC‘s Melissa Harris-Perry turned to W.E.B. Du Bois, who poignantly asked in The Souls of Black Folk, “How does it feel to be a problem?” She said the question in the turn-of-the-century treatise is still relevant today. Everyone…
-
Were They Disappointed We Didn't Riot?
Were they disappointed that we didn’t riot? That was the sentiment of some who took to Twitter to give their accounts of the peaceful protests against George Zimmerman’s acquittal that took place in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Oakland, Calif., and other cities across the country on Sunday. While the demonstrations focused on frustration with…
-
Obama Fails Black America and Trayvon
(The Root) — Anyone who thought the acquittal of George Zimmerman would easily be the most disappointing thing Americans would hear this weekend was quickly proved wrong. There were countless offensive reactions to the verdict, most notably gleeful celebration (which I refuse to dignify by giving the sources of said celebratory reactions the benefit of…
-
Why Did Free Blacks Stay in the Old South?
Editor’s note: This column was originally published on July 14, 2013. For those who are wondering about the retro title of this black-history series, please take a moment to learn about historian Joel A. Rogers, author of the 1934 book 100 Amazing Facts About the Negro With Complete Proof, to whom these “amazing facts” are an…
-
Celebs React to the Zimmerman Verdict
(The Root) — Twitter is still buzzing about the George Zimmerman verdict handed down last night. Celebrities are weighing in, too, tweeting their condolences, anger and motivational words. I am optimistic I am cynical Im angry Im in pain I am motivated Im confused Im scared I am sick of racism & want to do…
-
Zimmerman Verdict: The Day After
(The Root) — It’s been an emotional, infuriating, draining day for those who digested the harsh reality that George Zimmerman was found not guilty in the killing of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. But that didn’t stop supporters of the Martin family from taking to the cable news shows to defend his legacy and push for more…
-
President Obama on Zimmerman: 'Jury Has Spoken'
President Barack Obama released a statement Sunday afternoon calling for “calm reflection” in the aftermath of a Florida jury’s acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin. The death of Trayvon Martin was a tragedy. Not just for his family, or for any one community, but for America. I know this case…
-
White Supremacy: The Key to 'Not Guilty'
White supremacy in America had much to do with the not-guilty verdict on charges of manslaughter and second-degree murder in the George Zimmerman trial, according to the Nation. Zimmerman, described by some as “white Hispanic,” operated under the logic of white supremacy — and so did the jury. In the last few days, Latinos in…
-
Beyoncé Pauses for Trayvon Martin at Concert
Beyoncé called for a moment of silence for Trayvon Martin while performing in Nashville, Tenn., on Saturday during her Mrs. Carter tour, after a Florida jury acquitted George Zimmerman in the death of the unarmed 17-year-old teenager, the Washington Post reports. It was among a range of reactions by celebrities across the nation after an…
Black News and Black Views with a Whole Lotta Attitude
