Trayvon Martin: Why there may be no peace in Sanford, Florida

         

Trayvon Martin was murdered on February 26, 2012.  At the time when he was breathing his last breath, I was watching the NBA All-Star game.  At that time, I do not recall hearing details about Trayvon’s death.  In fact, I did not become fully aware of the unfortunate events until about a week or so ago.  It was almost as if there was a delayed reaction or a delay in coverage of the incident.  I think the death of an unarmed, young teenager is worthy of substantial media coverage.  The problem with the delayed response is twofold: (1) why did it take the media so long to bring attention to the crime; and (2) nationwide awareness about Trayvon’s death happened after efforts made by the Martin family.  Because of their efforts along with other friends, family members, mothers, fathers, students and even politicians, demonstrations and petitions have taken place all over the country.  In fact, I am very proud to say that students at my former law school, The North Carolina Central University School of Law, organized a peaceful memorial service for Trayvon.  During the memorial service, many students wore hoodies in a sign of solidarity and hope for Trayvon and his family. The demonstration at NCCU is one of many peaceful demonstrations occurring across the country.

I spend a good amount of time browsing the internet and but for my propensity to do so, I still may not know about Trayvon’s case.  I consider myself to be very logical and I try not to react out of frustration or anger.  As such, I decided to conduct research on the facts of the case.  So, as I began researching the matter, I learned that Trayvon Martin was a seventeen year old young man who walked to a convenience store to buy candy.  He was slain, in cold blood, and his admitted killer has not been charged, even though it has been over a month since Trayvon’s death.  From what I have read, it seems like an extreme miscarriage of justice that Zimmerman has not even been charged with a crime.  There certainly seems to be probable cause sufficient for an arrest because of evidence of the 911 call, when Zimmerman was told that he did not need to follow Trayvon.  Zimmerman disobeyed the instructions and followed Trayvon anyway. 

Most people know that people are innocent until proven guilty.  However, I think most people also realize the standard applied to widely publicized cases is guilty until proven innocent.  With that being said, Zimmerman is already guilty in the minds of many citizens.  Zimmerman claims he shot and killed Trayvon because he feared for his life.  His attorney plans to assert a legal defense called self defense when, or if, formal charges are ever brought against Zimmerman.  Before discussing the viability of that defense, it is important to discuss the governing Florida laws.  The applicable laws adopted by Florida’s legislature in 2005 are referred to as “stand your ground” laws.  Those laws purportedly allow a person to “stand his or her own ground and meet force with force, including deadly force if that person fears death or great bodily harm.”  Proponents argue the laws allow innocent people to protect themselves from unlawful attacks.  They believe the laws also deter would-be criminals from attacking innocent people because they know citizens are arming themselves and do not have a duty to retreat before using deadly force to protect themselves.  Opponents of the laws argue that the laws are vague and citizens do not fully understand how the laws apply to them.  It makes perfect sense that people should be able to protect themselves in their own homes, but these laws seem to allow decisions, as to life and death, to rest in the hands of untrained citizens.  The problem I have with the laws is that eminent fear of death or serious bodily harm is very subjective.  Based on my understanding, as long as the person claiming the defense can prove he was in fear of death or serious bodily harm, he is afforded protection.  However, what happens when his fear was not fear at all?  It seems that the laws can be used by unsavory persons engaged in vigilante justice.  I am sure the drafters of the laws had good intentions, but that does not mean the laws will achieve the stated goal. I am certain the constitutionality of the laws will be litigated in the near future.  I am expecting changes to the laws, and I would not be surprised if the laws are repealed.

The Trayvon Martin matter is sad and it is also eerily similar to the Rodney King situation.  Obviously, there are factual distinctions between the two situations, but in terms of the tension between the police department and its citizenry, the situations are similar.   During the early 1990’s, citizens living in impoverished areas of Los Angeles had little to no confidence in the Los Angeles Police Department.  Many events transpired which caused the citizens to lose faith in the LAPD and to a certain extent, the justice system as a whole.  It seems citizens in Sanford, Florida have experienced events which has made the collective group lose confidence in the Sanford Police Department.  When that happens, as was evidenced in 1992 with the Los Angeles riots, a dangerous, volatile situation is created.  When people believe their rights will not be protected by the police department, it creates an environment where lawlessness is pervasive.  One of the first signs of losing control is when leaders no longer lead their troops.  This shows the population that nobody is in control and provides an even more uneasy feeling for them.  The police chief of the Sanford Police Department stepped down.  That set in place the first step towards anarchy and lawlessness.  I certainly hope no more violence will come out of this situation, but the fact that George Zimmerman has not been charged with a crime is a serious problem for many people.  In the Rodney King matter, the police officers who viciously beat Rodney King were acquitted.  That event was the proverbial “straw that broke the camel’s back.”  It sparked riots where at least 50 people were killed and over 400 were injured.  The citizens destroyed the city and property damages were reported at over 1 billion dollars.  Having analyzed the circumstances surrounding the 1992 LA riots and reading about the circumstances surrounding Trayvon Martin, it is highly likely that an unfavorable outcome could lead to wide scale violence.  People are on edge and expect for their leaders, i.e., police officers, attorneys, judges, politicians, etc to provide a reasonable remedy to their problems.      

How can a person’s attire be blamed for their untimely death?  Geraldo Rivera made a very insensitive comment regarding Trayvon’s death.  To paraphrase, he said that Trayvon was as much at fault for wearing a hoodie as was his murderer for shooting him.  Obviously, if a person wears a ski mask in the summer, black sweat pants, black shoes, black gloves etc. they would look suspicious.  Even so, that would not give anyone the right to kill them.  This is certainly different than a young guy wearing a hoodie, while it was raining.  Young kids and adults alike across the country wear hoodies. For some people, it is a fashion statement and for others it is about comfort.  Either way, it is not a crime to wear a hoodie and nobody deserves to die because they decide to wear one.  I wear hoodies all the time when I am going to and from the gym.  The facts of Trayvon Martin’s death have not been fully developed.  However, it seems to me that this case is really about an overzealous neighborhood watchman who took things too far.  The 911 dispatcher clearly tells Zimmerman not to follow Trayvon.  He disobeyed that instruction and that led to the untimely demise of young Trayvon Martin.

The latest shocking development in the case is that allegedly the police department has obtained evidence which suggests Trayvon was the aggressor. The “anonymous” witness allegedly saw Trayvon as he struck Zimmerman.  I am not easily swayed by “anonymous” sources because honestly, the person could be creating a story.  Also, several media outlets have reported that Trayvon was suspended from school a few weeks before his untimely death.  I do not understand how Trayvon’s alleged suspension has any bearing on the outcome of the current matter.  The fact that it was mentioned at all is very odd.

Normally, litigating a case through the media is not the proper method.  Generally speaking, litigation should be reserved for courtrooms. However, in this case, the media attention has actually brought awareness to the country.  Trayvon Martin’s family took an active role in seeking justice on his behalf and now the world is aware of his murder.  Still, over one month has passed and still no charges have been filed. Let us all hope that in the coming days justice will be served because honestly, the peacefulness in Sanford, Florida could depend on it.

Peace

NBA's Best Duo

     Over the years of watching professional basketball, I have had the pleasure of watching some of the most dynamic duos in the history of the NBA.  I saw Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen; Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’neal.  Most recently, I have watched Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook; and Lebron James and Dwayne Wade.  Most duos are dynamic because of their scoring prowess, but I credit duos who are just as effective on the defensive end of the court even more.  

Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook

     Kevin Durant is probably the best pure scorer in the NBA.  He combines a rare combination of a post player’s height (6'10") and the perimeter skills of a top three wing player.  He plays the game with passion and is able to get a good shot against any team’s defense.  He is not adept at passing the ball and making his teammates better yet.  His assist numbers have never been impressive.  He is, however, a very good rebounder, despite his slight frame.  I believe that is a credit to his heart and will to mix it up with more physically imposing players.  Also, Kevin Durant is not a great defensive player.  Defense begins with a player’s determination to stop another player, but it also can be physically draining.  Durant has to carry a major offensive load and exerting too much energy on the defensive end could affect his offensive production.  

     Russell Westbrook is widely considered to be a top five point guard in the NBA.  He is probably the most explosive, athletic point guard in the league whose name is not Derrick Rose.  He is able to get to the rim and finish with tenacity at almost any moment.  He too combines size, strength and speed that is unparalleled in the point guard position.  Despite his ability to play the game, his decision making is not on par with other elite point guards.  He still settles for contested pull up jump shots far too often and too early in the shot clock.  I also believe his biggest issue is that he has not accepted the fact that he is Robin to Kevin Durant’s Batman.  His erratic play in last year’s playoffs and his insistence to be “the man” is still baffling.  Defensively, he is above average, due in large part to his strength, speed, and ability to move laterally to keep opposing point guards in front of him. 

Lebron James and Dwayne Wade

     Lebron James is the best player in the NBA.  He also receives the most scrutiny of any player in the league and he often finds himself in a proverbial "catch 22."  If he shoots the ball during the waning moments of the game an misses, he is ridiculed.  If he passes to an open player and makes the right basketball play, he is ridiculed.  He has to win a championship to quiet his critics.  His statistical production is off the charts.  In fact, his statistical production is bordering on historic levels.  He is able to score against any defender at will.  He is currently third in the NBA in scoring, and could very easily be number one in that category.  He is probably the best passing small forward the game has ever seen.  He is also the best rebounding small forward in the league, as has been so for a number of years.  As scary as his talent has been in the past, this year he has developed a post up game.  Seemingly, as time passes, he adds another wrinkle or layer to his game that makes him even better.  Defensively, he is able to guard all five positions on the court.  Last year during the playoffs, he successfully guarded the then MVP, Derrick Rose, during the fourth quarters of their series.  There is not player in the league that is able to match his skill level.

     Dwayne Wade is certainly one of my favorite NBA players.  He is an NBA champion and former NBA Finals Most Valuable Player.  He has the most visible killer instinct of all NBA players not named Kobe Bryant.  Over his career, he has averaged 20 plus points per game.  He is a streaky shooter, but when he finds his offensive rhythm, he is capable of scoring 40 plus points on any given night.  He also has an outstanding post up game for an undersized shooting guard.  His strength allows him to post up and score against bigger and smaller players.  He is an underrated passer and a very intelligent player.  He is a top five player in the league.  He does it on both ends of the floor as well.  He is an excellent weak side defensive player and that ability allows him to get blocked shots at a high rate.  He is also a very good passing lane defender, which allows him to tip passes and ignite the Miami Heat’s fast break. 

Derrick Rose and Carlos Boozer

I’m kidding.

     Lebron James and Dwayne Wade are the best duo in the league because they are better overall players than Durant and Westbrook.  Defensively, they are on another level.  It takes a great deal of energy to dominate on both ends of the court the way James and Wade are able to do.  Despite the edge going to the Miami duo, I certainly believe the future will belong to Durant and Westbrook, as they are considerably younger than their Miami counterparts.

Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen

     I would be remiss if I did not talk about the best duo in league history.  That duo consisted of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen.  Michael Jordan is the best player to ever play the game.  He was simply better, more competitive and more talented than any player that has ever played the game.  He also possessed a work ethic that is unmatched by anyone.  His will power would not allow his team to lose.  Not only would he score 35 points, but the guy he guarded would have less than 10.  He demanded that his teammates match his intensity and did not mind verbally or physically ensuring that it happened.  Scottie Pippen was also great in his own right.  One of his best characteristics was the fact that he knew he was the number two guy and he was comfortable in that role.  He is probably the best perimeter defensive player to ever play the game.  When MJ and Pippen were on the court, the other teams' best perimeter players were often times non factors.  The combination was also the driving force behind 6 NBA titles.  Before Miami’s duo or OKC’s duo can ever been mentioned in the same category as MJ and Pip, they have to win championships. 

Peace   

My Favorite Actors/Actresses Volume 1

I have an affinity for watching good movies.  I think it began when I was a child and my parents and I watched movie after movie during holidays.  During my years of watching movies, I have identified a list of five to ten people whom I believe are the best at what they do.  I have never had an interest in acting.  I have, however, developed an ability to appreciate good acting because I have seen bad acting quite a bit.  At one point, there was somewhat of an uproar from Hollywood celebrities regarding the influx of untrained actors starring in large budget films.  Many seasoned thespians believed these individuals were taking roles away from highly trained, skilled actors.  They argued their craft is a profession and should not be inundated with people who do not take it seriously.  I certainly can understand their argument; I would not appreciate people becoming attorneys without going to law school and experiencing “THE STRUGGLE.”  However, many people have natural talent and are able to excel in the entertainment industry without formal training.  I also believe a lot of the criticism came at the expense of hip hop artists who began starring in movies during the 1990’s.  Master P and his No Limit Soldiers were TERRIBLE actors and I certainly understand the backlash.  But then again, you had guys with real talent like Ice Cube and Mos Def who provided credibility for hip hop artists.  Over the next few months, I plan to discuss my favorite actors and actresses, and highlight some of their best roles. This week, I will discuss Denzel Washington.

Denzel is one of my favorite actors because he is one of the most diverse actors in the history of Hollywood.  I have seen him play almost every character under the sun.  He has been a slave, a shady police officer, Malcolm X, a famous boxer, an attorney, a war ship captain, an educator, a football coach, and the list goes on and on.  In the next few paragraphs, I will try to narrow my favorite roles he has played.

In the Civil War inspired movie, “Glory,” Denzel played a former slave (“Trip”) who was angry at the world.  Trip had escaped slavery and become a part of the first all black unit in the military during the Civil War.  Trip challenged authority at all levels and had serious trust issues. However, throughout the movie, his character was developed and viewers were able to see why he was so angry.  By the end of the movie, he was a leader within his unit and volunteered to carry his unit’s flag into battle.  My favorite scene in this movie is when Trip snuck out of military barracks to get food.  He was caught, and whipped in front of his unit.  I do not like the scene because of the whipping, but rather because you could almost feel the pain of our ancestors who endured through slavery.  After the flogging, he shed one single tear.  That is a powerful scene. 

In the movie, “Malcolm X,” Denzel played the role of Malcolm X.  There are certain movies and certain actors who have an uncanny ability to transform themselves into the character they are portraying to the point that they are no longer portraying a character; they are that person.  I believe Jamie Foxx achieved this in “Ray,” Will Smith achieved it in “Ali,” and Denzel achieved it in “Malcolm X.  I have many favorite scenes in the movie.  My all time favorite scene from the movie occurs when X is riding in his car, and he knows his death is imminent.  “A change gonna come” by Sam Cooke played simultaneously, and I believe everyone in the theater knew what was about to happen.

In “American Gangster,” Denzel played drug kingpin, Frank Lucas.  Frank Lucas sold more drugs and ruined his community more than most people during the 1970’s.  Denzel did an excellent job portraying him though.  The role was definitely different than any role I had seen him play.  Frank Lucas had a serious temper and it did not take much to make him go off.  On the other hand, he was a family man and he believed family should always be a person’s number one priority.  In many respects, Lucas’ struggle with providing for him family, while selling death made his character very interesting.  I imagine many people who perform unsavory, illegal acts justify or rationalize their behavior in a similar manner.  He justified his “dirt” as a means to provide for his family.  This movie has some really good scenes.  In one scene, Frank Lucas gets upset at his brother’s limousine driver.  His brother’s limousine driver disrespected one of his houseguests, and Frank was not a happy man.  Let us just say he “roughed” the guy up a bit.  The funniest scene occurred when he instructed a person to clean up the blood from the floor.  He said, and I am paraphrasing, “you don’t rub that, you blot that, that is alpaca!!!”  That scene is very funny to me. 

I could probably name 10 more roles that I really like, but I will not.  Denzel is definitely one of my favorite actors of all time.

Peace