The history of justice exposes the politics of discrimination

The history of justice exposes the politics of discrimination

By Derek Joy

     He was but a child when his life ended.

Trayvon Martin was a scant three weeks past celebrating his 17th birthday – Feb. 5, 2012 – when he was shot and killed by George Zimmerman in Sanford, Fla., on Feb. 26, 2012.

Black History Month, no less. Tragedy visited upon another Black American family. That Zimmerman, a White Hispanic, benefited from the politics of discrimination, speaks to the history of injustice for Black Americans.

And if a Black American male had been accused of the kind of domestic violence against women that Zimmer-man had, he’d be summarily sent up the creek – jail – without a paddle.

Several years prior to his killing Martin, Zimmerman escaped punishment for a domestic violence charge against a girlfriend. After his heinous act against Martin, Zimmerman was again facing domestic violence allegations made by his wife.

As if that wasn’t enough, Zimmerman had yet another domestic violence charge made by still another girlfriend. He walked away from it all; free of punishment by the criminal justice system.

No such justice for Black Americans.

Sure makes it abundantly clear that, among the various purposes the Florida State Legislature used when crafting and enacting the controversial “Stand Your Ground” (SYG) law, a le-gal way to discriminate in the course of justice. Makes blatantly murder excusable.

Interestingly enough, America is historically known to challenge injustice and inhumane treatment people are subjected to in other countries. But even the U.S. Justice Department has failed to redress the in-justice of Zimmerman killing Martin.

“How the law is applied is subjective,” said Miami Gardens Mayor Oliver Gilbert III, who practices municipal law. “Something that subjective shouldn’t be a part of the law.”

Gilbert addressed the comparison between Zimmerman’s acquittal on second degree murder charges and Marissa Alexander’s conviction of domestic violence for firing a gun into the ceiling.

Alexander was denied the opportunity to use the SYG law as self defense. She did not injure or kill anyone and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Zimmerman pursued, confronted and killed an innocent teenager with impunity. And to really thumb his nose at Trayvon’s family, the justice system and the American people, Zimmerman sought to profit from it all by staging a celebrity boxing match.

“That’s exploiting Trayvon’s death,” said Frazier Hawkins, a 21-year-old Black American male.” They would be supporting him for killing Trayvon.”

Funny how America can fight against injustice and inhumanity to man in other countries, yet ignore it at home.

President Barack Obama. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder. Both are Black Americans and both are powerless to right this wrong.

So, you see, the history of justice exposes the politics of discrimination.