Inequality, Racism, and Individual Responsibility

There has been so much talk the past month or two about the Trayvon Martin verdict. I've been thinking about this a lot and discussing with my husband and close friends. So, disclaimer before I tell you what I think: I'm not an expert, though I have a public defender background that informs a lot of my perspective. This only reflects my personal views and not of any organizations I am employed by or affiliated with. In no way am I trying to minimize the tragic circumstances of Trayvon's death, his family's loss, and the larger issues of racism (which is still alive and well!!) and what this incident represents to the black community. These are just my thoughts on a really tough case and what this should mean for each of us, who are not directly involved. 

1. We should be respectful of the jury's decision, even if we might disagree. I still believe our justice system, though eternally flawed, is still the best in the world. I also know that what the media portrays and what actually happens through the course of the trial can be very different. I truly believe that most jurors take their charge to find someone guilty or not guilty very seriously. I believe that the jurors in this case took this seriously and made a decision based on the evidence presented. They are asked to lay aside emotion and all other circumstances and decide a specific issue: whether or not George Zimmerman committed the crime he was accused of. Even if they wanted to convict, they did not feel the prosecution proved its case based on the universe of law they had to operate within. 
2. George Zimmerman is responsible for creating the situation, but that does not necessarily mean he is guilty of the crime charged. Of course Trayvon's death should never have happened. Of course it would not have happened, had he not been unfairly profiled due to his race, gender, and appearance. However, that in and of itself is not a crime, according to the laws in Florida.
3. Vilifying does not solve the problem. Vilifying a defendant in cases like this does not further a solution to the very deep-rooted and on-going race issues in our country. It only serves to increase tension and strife, and in reality, perpetuates the unfortunate and insidious type of assumptions about another person that led to Trayvon's death in the first place.
4. Acknowledging humanity in others goes a long way. George Zimmerman failed to recognize the individual humanity of Trayvon Martin when he became "suspicious" of his behavior. I wonder what could happen, if he just acknowledged his own human failing in that situation- that he fell prey to his own biases. And what would happen if we ourselves acknowledged to ourselves that we all have our biases and extend forgiveness to each other for them? I think it might open the door for meaningful and life changing conversations- because I truly believe that most real change in perspective and understanding of others comes from direct, honest, and one-on-one conversations with a person that seems "other" to you. Maybe this means for us to make progress in racial healing, we have to extend the acknowledgment of humanity to George Zimmerman as well, even if he failed to do so for Trayvon. It means to set an example to him of what it means not to judge someone you don't know, and not to make assumptions about someone's entire person because of one action they take. 
5. If we purport to care about racial issues, we should act on this in our own lives, every day. There has been a fair amount of outcry and outrage over the verdict. I think it's important that this case is a catalyst for conversation, but the conversation has to be meaningful. It is not meaningful to label someone else a racist. It will not change that person's views or biases. It is meaningful to form relationships with people who are different than you, and to practice respect and extend dignity to everyone you meet, regardless of how deserving or undeserving you think they are. I think that genuine relationships or extensions of kindness are how you ultimately change hearts and minds.

I'm trying to remember to find the humanity in the people I encounter every day. (Read this great opinion article in the Washington Post by an amazing defense attorney about finding humanity in "society's worst").

Thoughtful discussion welcome.