The first thought that struck me, even as I sat down to write this article, is the fact that my first impulse was to title this piece “The Trayvon Martin verdict.” It’s interesting how the media has so effectively communicated the idea that this trial was primarily about Trayvon Martin. It wasn’t. It was about the guilt or innocence of George Zimmerman. Trayvon Martin was the individual who was killed, and this naturally calls for our compassion and sympathy, but the trial wasn’t about him. It wasn’t about “avenging” his death. It was about ascertaining the guilt or innocence of George Zimmerman. I was encouraged when the jury came down with a “not guilty” verdict. I was encouraged because I saw that there is still some semblance of objective justice in some corners of our nation. The jurors didn’t give in to mob pressure. They ruled according to the evidence and the law. It was clear. The first act of violence came from the deceased. Mr. Zimmerman acted clearly in self-defense. This encounter was the very reason Mr. Zimmerman and other law-abiding citizens appreciate their Constitutional right to bear arms. While he was being assaulted, and pummeled on the ground, he had no choice but to use his weapon for the very purpose it was carried—to defend himself against an attacker. Had he not fired in self-defense it is likely that Trayvon Martin may have used the gun against him, particularly since Trayvon expressed that intention when he told Mr. Zimmerman, “Tonight you die.” In which case, Mr. Zimmerman would have been the deceased.
It’s tragic that this young man had violence in his heart against Mr. Zimmerman, and the expression of that violence is what ultimately caused his own death.
Those who are now demonstrating and demanding “Justice for Trayvon” are simply using this tragedy to fuel the fires of division and racial tension. The race hucksters, particularly those in positions of leadership have found another worthy cause to advance their racial agendas.
As “people of the book” however, we shouldn’t be surprised at the ginned up mobs that yell “Crucify Him, Crucify Him.” We’ve seen that before. Human nature hasn’t changed. As a nation, however, we must never give in to the rule of “mobocracy.” We must continue to stand for “blind” justice under the rule of law.
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