How To Respond To The Trayvon Martin Verdict

By David Luis


For those of us who are not American, George Zimmerman's acquittal may give an added sense of helplessness.

While we feel rage and pain, the fact that the decision is not in our justice system may leave us feeling that we have no avenue for action.

Right here, nevertheless, are some things Canadians can do.

1) Educate ourselves about the prison system in Canada.

Canadians frequently feel that injustice against Black people/people of color is limited to the South/Texas/Florida. Canada imprisons some of the highest numbers of people in the Western World and those numbers are growing. Inform yourself and others about Harper's policies in the justice system. Advocate around detainees' rights.

2) Supporter for neighborhood justice-- and I mean real neighborhood justice, not bike cops.

We know the justice system does not serve our needs, so why are we leaving the defense of our communities approximately the authorities? White vigilantism is excused while we accept the lack of justice services for which we pay taxes.

Discover about real transformative justice. Run rites-of-passage programs. Get seniors to intervene. Educate neighborhoods about how we can secure and sustain our own families and next-door neighbors. Work to refurbish and not penalize.

If we stand against the criminalization of Black youth we have to end our complicity with the systems that criminalize them.

3) Support criminal activity victims.

Numerous of us feel sympathy for Trayvon's mother however desert the mothers in our own areas or blame them for how they raised their kids. Listen to criminal activity victims. Support their need to be heard. Don't sweep abuse under the rug. Work in our communities to offer healing. If you are enraged about Trayvon however do not support kid victims of the Nova Scotia Home for Colored Children, ask yourself why some children are expendable. If we cannot support sufferers in our own communities, then the options offered by the justice system will never provide us healing.

4) Proponent for youth rights in our own neighborhoods.

People are rightly surprised that a grown guy can stalk and get rid of a child, yet many of us keep policies that strip kids of their rights and voices and leave children susceptible to physical violence in our homes and areas. Kids are often based on physical violence in their own houses, which is sustained since they lack the rights of adults to bodily stability, company and power. Advocate with and for youth for the rights of kids to be treated as equals with dignity. Rancho Cucamonga Criminal Defense Attorney

5) Work to empower kids and youth in our own neighborhoods.

We have the power and resources to enlighten, prepare and sustain our children. Why are we leaving their education to institutions and companies without their important interests at heart? We don't require government money to run tasks, classes, tutoring, sports, music, etc. for our youth. Commit to taking time to work with youth.

6) Enlighten ourselves and our children about racism.

Yes, it is important to inform children they can follow their dreams. However we likewise should provide them info that shields them. This case showed us racial discrimination isn't over, so let's stop being terrified to level to kids, leaving them vulnerable and confused. Instructing about bigotry likewise implies teaching them Black Power concepts. Do not pretend race doesn't exist for them; offer them the knowledge to understand themselves.

7) Remember we are not helpless or dependent.

This is a 400+ year resistance. Stop being contented, and inform, act and work in our neighborhoods for empowerment. Spend our money with Black businesses. Construct Black programs. Stop accepting platitudes. Stop thinking the battle is over. Get out in our areas, in the streets, wherever, and defend our right to be human.

8) When they want us dead our finest resistance is to live and live strongly, with purpose.

Keep making it through. Stop being ashamed to be Black in public. Stop attempting to assimilate and live your life, because that's exactly what they hate to see.




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