Friday, August 2, 2013

How To Respond To The Trayvon Martin Verdict

By David Luis


For those of us who are not American, George Zimmerman's acquittal may provide an included sense of vulnerability.

While we feel rage and discomfort, the reality that the judgment is not in our justice system might leave us feeling that we have no avenue for activity.

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 understand the justice system doesn't serve our demands, so why are we leaving the protection of our neighborhoods up to the authorities? White vigilantism is excused while we accept the absence of justice services for which we pay taxes.

Find out about real transformative justice. Run rites-of-passage programs. Get senior citizens to step in. Educate communities about how we can shield and support our own families and neighbors. Work to restore and not punish.

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.

Individuals are rightly surpriseded that a grown man can stalk and get rid of a kid, yet numerous of us keep policies that strip children of their rights and voices and leave kids prone to violence in our homes and neighborhoods. Kids are frequently based on physical violence in their own homes, which is supported since they do not have the rights of grownups to physical stability, company and power. Proponent with and for youth for the rights of children to be treated as equals with self-respect. Rancho Cucamonga Criminal Defense Attorney

5) Work to empower children and youth in our own communities.

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 obsequious, and enlighten, act and work in our areas for empowerment. Spend our cash with Black businesses. Develop Black programs. Stop accepting platitudes. Stop thinking the struggle is over. Get out in our communities, in the streets, anywhere, and fight for our right to be human.

8) When they hope us dead our finest resistance is to live and live powerfully, with function.

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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