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July 18th, 2013
04:14 PM ET
Trayvon Martin's parents break silence
CNN's Brooke Baldwin talks with Cornell Belcher and Ben Ferguson about Obama's role in the race debate.
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To me, Martin reaped the wages of 20 years of glorification of the thug in society, which the black population has itself to blame. The essential difference between Zimmerman and Martin was that one was focused (ineptly) on protecting his community, while the other was (ineptly) trying to prey upon it.
I wish for the Trayvon's family to squash the myth that Trayvon Martin was not a thug as he is being portrayed by some media, as described below, if that be the case. A very recent photo of Trayvon would go a long way to squash this, once and for all.
......."We don't always get the truth from the media. One of my favorite rants – the liberal controlled media, television news, newspapers, magazines, radio; all continue to show 12 year old Trayvon; NOT 17 year old Trayvon.
In reality "little Trayvon" at the time of his death stood almost 6'2" tall and weighed 175 muscular pounds. He had numerous run-ins with authorities (both at school and local police), had been stopped and almost arrested two days before his death for smacking a bus driver in the face, because the driver refused to let him ride for free.
He was released because the driver was told not to press charges by the bus company and to continue on his route.
When "little Trayvon" was suspended at school it was not only because he tried to bring a little marijuana in with him, he was in possession of wedding rings and other jewelry, watches, etc. that he said he "found" along with a large screwdriver while on the way to school that day. The jewelry was turned over to the Police by the school...."
The photo of Trayvon Martin accompanying the above script, shows a very different looking picture of Trayvon from the ones shown on CNN and other networks. It shows him with tattoos all over his face and looking like a 30 year old young man.
Please for the benefit of folks like me that believe that Zimmerman should have been guilty at trial, post Trayvon's most recent photo to dispel any doubt whatsoever.
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I heard the President's remarks today & couldn't disagree more with Ben Ferguson. The President spoke to ALL Americans. To that point, we all must see how each individual's experience is valid. He was speaking to all races of Americans to shed light on & to acknowledge these POVs as relevant to future discussions that continue to be necessay. To Ben, your narrow view of what he said highlights your lack of understanding of these issues. Respect the President's efforts addressing We the People in hopes of our seeing these issues for ALL of us. Ben, your words highlight your inabilty to be anything but partisan no matter what our President says.
Ben Ferguson seems to live in a world of make believe and right wing fantasy hype. His barrage does nothing but confuse and distort what Obama said and what the issues are. He made totally opposite references to what the President said, saying that Obama was inciting violence and speaking for Black America. NOTHING could be further from the truth. Obama shared a personal view of being Black in America, admonished those that would be violent saying that it would not honor Trayvon and tried to shed light on the Black experience in America and how history has shaped current views.
I understand it is good TV and Ben is brought on to present the Right however he is just another in a long line of right radicals who fabricate positions from points not made.
Trayvon is a household name. Trayvon is a cause. Trayvon is a legal battle. Trayvon is a civil rights example. Zimmerman is not guilty. This is the society we ALL created. These are the laws we ALL agreed to. So why are we ALL so pissed off? We ALL did this!!!!! Get over over it or VOTE! Stop the complaining. DO SOMETHING – VOTE!!!! Passive aggressive responses only make you feel better, it does not address the issue.
Let`s talk about several things. Eric Holder says we should only have self defense laws and your first duty is tom retreat. Did not Trayvon violate that by not retreating. I am sure the folks at the protest on Saturday just like the Tea party will leave the place cleaner than they left it and there will be no violence. Also I am sure every White family at CNN will bring their children along with themselves since everyone at CNN believes that Zimmerman was guilty. I guess we will see pictures of you and your family there on Sunday.
people think clearly.... stand your ground law seems to be for civil and federal officers....not neighborhood watchers....they only watch and tell....about crimr in the neighborhood.....that gould have been any race ofd people walking through wirh a hood on...and who gave Zimmerman the permit to carry a gun for a situeation such as that....Zimmerman was puy in a catch-22....situeation and everybody need to be concerned and relat to that....this situation needs....more thinking through....
I have to say that Ben Furgunson's comments on President Obama's personal experience are just so typical ignorant white American.
Don is right! How can he deny what African American males were experiencing when he is not even an African American male himself or doesn't look like one!!
Living in north of the border makes you realize how stupid situation you guys still have to live in. I'm not saying there is no racism in Canada, but at least, we don't hear this level of ignorance on a public television because that Ben's argument is just so embarrasing.
Yep and Georgie boy clinical ADHD and very troubled past to include a criminal record, domestic violence and then some. Oops!