Over the past several weeks, there has been an unavoidable buzz persisting throughout news and social media outlets concerning the death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, who was killed in February by neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman. Although it took a few weeks for word of this incident to spread beyond Florida, the persistence of local organizations and businesses, particularly radio stations, succeeded in getting the word out. Rallies demanding justice for the slain teen have subsequently sprung up across the United States as outraged citizens learned of the local police department's seemingly sluggish response to Martin's death.
The incident has rightly thrust a spotlight on Florida's particularly lenient "Stand Your Ground" law, which protects the use of force as self-defense when there is reasonable belief of a threat, even if the one claiming self-defense was not the first to retreat. Martin's death has reminded millions of parents across the country of the devastation that losing a child entails. This tragic event immediately presented itself as an opportunity for us to rally together as a nation and demand justice for each and every citizen, no matter his or her ethnicity, sexual orientation or religious preference.
So, when President Barack Obama offered his reaction to the incident on March 23, the nation was watching its leader intently. Obama's remarks were sympathetic and inspiring, as he called for a thorough investigation, while also reflecting on the tragedy that this sort of loss represents for parents. But as the president wrapped up his thoughts on the matter, he noted, "You know, if I had a son, he'd look like Trayvon."
Upon hearing this statement, skepticism over the accuracy and implications of Obama's response entered my mind. Although it might not have been what he intended, Obama came across as implying that because he is the same race as Trayvon Martin, he is particularly able to sympathize with the calamity that the Martin family has endured.
In light of Martin's shooting, it is important to acknowledge that race relations in the United States are far from ideal. While we have moved many steps forward, racism still lives on in our nation. It is highly likely that racism played a part in the murder of Martin an inhumane act that has no place in our society and should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. But I believe it was unwise of Obama to highlight his shared race with Martin. Would Obama feel less sympathetic if the murdered teenager had been of a different race than his own? Probably not, but Obama's comments can be easily construed as implying that very point.
Because racism still exists in our nation, as this tragedy exemplifies, it would have been wise of Obama to move past the discussion on race and instead highlight the unacceptable nature of the crime, regardless of the color of the victim or the shooter. But by mentioning the outward appearance of Trayvon Martin, Obama took the debate in an unintended direction, one that has proven to be divisive.
To that end, I hope that Obama will shift the course of this discussion away from the issue of race. This tragic incident should place scrutiny on the Florida law that has let this situation get so out of control. Therefore, it would be constructive for the president to make a conscious effort to refocus the debate in light of his highly publicized comments. In fact, Obama's senior advisor, David Plouffe, was presented with such an opportunity when he was recently asked to respond to remarks by Newt Gingrich that Obama's statement was "disgraceful [because] it's not a question of who that young man looked like." Plouffe replied to this question by stating that Gingrich's comments were reprehensible, but failed to offer a true explanation of why. I am left to wonder why it matters that Obama's son would have "looked a lot like" Martin.
We all ought to be outraged by the tragedy of Trayvon Martin's death because it is the ultimate loss for one's family and community. But we should feel this way regardless of what our potential sons might look like.
