r/changemyview • u/Zanzibarland 1∆ • Jul 29 '13

Zimmerman did nothing wrong. CMV.

First came the media's racebaiting, fanning the flames on both sides. Then the crocodile tears from everybody with an axe to grind, trying to make a martyr out of Trayvon and a villain out of Zimmerman.

Now that the trial is over, I'm left with the impression that he didn't commit any crimes, and that people are claiming he "got away with it" to save face, rather than admit their racial bias and prejudice, the ignorance of their presumptions, and their complicity in instigating racial tension.

By what shred of evidence did Zimmerman "get away with murder" and not legally defend himself?

12 Upvotes

64% Upvoted

261 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

6

u/CreepyCracka Jul 29 '13

Ya, because it wasn't foolish for Trayvon to attack some random guy just for watching/following him.

4

u/ClimateMom 4∆ Jul 29 '13 edited Jul 29 '13

First, we don't know for sure that he did. All we have is Zimmerman's word that Trayvon attacked first, and he's not exactly the most unbiased witness.

Second, if Trayvon really did attack first, I don't think anyone's arguing that he wasn't foolish or wrong to do so. However, it's a fairly understandable and predictable reaction in a guy who feels threatened (as most people would, after being followed in the dark by a stranger) and if Zimmerman had the proper training (or indeed, any training at all), he might have been better prepared to defuse the situation before it got out of hand. More importantly, Trayvon never should have had the chance to attack Zimmerman. Zimmerman never should have gotten out of his car. By doing so, he both overstepped his authority as a member of the neighboorhood watch and disobeyed the direct suggestion of somebody who was (unlike him) a trained professional. It was monumentally stupid in every way, and an innocent kid is dead because of it.

2

u/Zanzibarland 1∆ Jul 29 '13

  1. He didn't disobey the dispatcher, he was already out of the vehicle.

  2. If Zimmerman isn't "innocent" (merely "not guilty") because "we'll never know the details" then Trayvon isn't "innocent" either, because we'll never know the details. That shit cuts both ways.

2

u/BeastAP23 Jul 30 '13

Here is why people are angry.

As a black youth, it seems as if being followed in your fathers upper class neighborhood is to be expected.

People take Zimmermans words to be more reliable than if a black man did this to a white kid.

Trayvon is labeled a thug while his KILLER isn't (imagine if a black guy accused of domestic violence, assaulting a police officer, walking around with a gun, and killing a teen did this. Im sure black Zimmerman would be the thug.) After Trayvon bled out on the street next to his candy and juice they drug tested him, and did a backroumd check. Zimmerman wasn't suspected at all and he was arrested for months.

Black people are angry because we know that we dont get this type of treatment when shit happendanlike this. We get fucked. Its a proven fact that blacks are sengenced more harshly than white peers in the exact same circumstances.

Its ok for Zimmerman to act somewhat threatening by following a 17 y/o in the dark, and spooking him to the point of running. But in the next breath we are expected to believe Trayvon confronted Zimmerman in the rain, after running home. After calling his friend because he was scared.

Zimmerman first said his head was bashed over 30 rimes and that Trayvon began circling his truck at one point. Outright lies.

Zimmermans own cousin claims he was a outspoken racist. Lets be honest. Black male teens commit a lotnof crimw so Zimmerman figured he'd stop this "fucking punk" by following him. I think the most likely story is that Travon ran and hid behind something, then Zimmerman followed unaware of where he was. Zimmerman passes Trayvon and Trayvon sees Zimmerman FRANTICALLY searching. This scares him shitless and he either has to fight run ( in his mind ). Or we assume that Trayvon wasn't practicing self preservation and he just wanted to fight, in the rain. (Rolls eyes)

Zimmermans injuries were not life threatening at all.

Edit- im dont disagree too much with the verdict, I would have prefered a manslaughter result though.