"Stop The Media Circus"
By Capt. Fred Davis
Published: Saturday, April 7, 2012







Why is it every time there is a racial confrontation such as the Trayvon Martin case in Sanford, Fla., the “Reverends” Jackson and Sharpton show up screaming racism? They gather the media and rant and rave driving people into a frenzy, before all the facts are determined.

Why is it assumed the case was a race confrontation? Who is behind the daily push for more media hype? Who hopes to gain from forcing the issue? There are a number of questions that need to be answered regarding the current event by cool heads, not the mob mentality brought forth by those hoping to further their own agendas.

Martin Luther King Jr. left a legacy that many seem to want to push aside while giving lip service to honoring him. He drew people together, encouraged them to become tolerant and live side by side. Our country has been doing that for decades. Displays of races working together are commonplace in our armed services, workplaces and neighborhoods.

As I see it, the two screaming reverends are the cause of the racism charges in the Trayvon Martin case. Early in the coverage, the Rev. Al announced the young man was shot because he was wearing a “hoody.” He claimed racial profiling. The fact that has now emerged is it was raining and the hoody was probably pulled up to protect him from the rain.

I’m sure many of us, black and white, take offense to the assumption stated that only black thugs and thieves wear hoodies. How outdated a statement that is. My wife, daughters, grandsons and granddaughters all wear them. My family members live in various states all around the country. I’m certain none of them have been referred to as “thieves” or troublemakers and none of them have been shot while wearing their hoody. Wouldn’t everyone agree it would be difficult to determine a person’s color or race if they were wearing a hoody pulled up over their head to avoid the rain, especially at night?

Perhaps the reverend misspoke — isn’t that how many racism problems and charges come about, by a misspoken statement? I am not making a judgment because I, just as the reverends Al and Jesse, was not there. After a month of agitation by nationwide (and worldwide via the Internet) media, it has been determined as fact; no one saw what happened.

I recall the bombing case in Atlanta during the Olympic Games when a rush to judgment of Richard Jewell by the FBI was totally reversed. When the investigation was allowed to be completed, he was determined to be more a hero than a felon. But it took weeks for all the facts of the case to be revealed.

I believe any state, such as Florida and others, that have adopted “stand your ground” laws that allow shooting in self defense, should amend them. I also think no one should be authorized to carry a gun while working on a neighborhood watch.

It’s time for the rallies and frenzy, taking sides and rush to judgment to cease. Let the investigation take place, learn all the facts before another mistake is made. Law enforcement with all its resources will determine the facts and prevail.

 

 

 

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