Now what?

I rarely address current events here in this blog, I usually try to keep the news closer to home. There has been however an event that makes me scared for my kids. I think everyone by now has heard about the Trayvon Martin murder and the not guilty verdict for his accused killer George Zimmerman. His defense used the “Stand Your Ground” defense based on a law passed in Florida in 2005. Zimmerman claimed that he feared for his life, but how did he get himself in that position? Trayvon hadn’t broken into his home, he hadn’t made any threats to Mr. Zimmerman, Mr. Zimmerman’s family, or any of his property. Trayvon was walking down the street returning home after going to the store. He hadn’t been spotted committing a crime, he was minding his own business. George Zimmerman should have never approached him. He was told by the police not to. George took the law into his own hands and now a young man is dead.


Texas is one of the states that have a stand your ground law. We live in a town where nearly every home has at least one gun. This town like so many other small towns in the south has more than its fair share of confederate flag flying ignorant … well I’ll stop there before I get off on a vicious rant. I see the looks we get when we are out, from a questioning glance to a stare filled with distaste and loathing. Don’t get this town wrong though as there are so many more kind and good people here than there are bad. There are many that just love these two kids. They are popular beyond measure with kids and adults alike. I would love to think that because of this they would be safe. But I cannot fool myself.

Abate runs. Abate loves to run. He has been running all summer with the hope of making it all the way to State XC. Summer days however are scorching hot, so he runs late in the evening near sunset. He runs through the neighborhoods sometimes alone, other times with friends (that are as ethnically diverse as you’d see in a city). They sometimes run at the golf course which winds its way through a more upscale part of town (as they usually do). I worry. All it takes is one gun toting yahoo to see a black teen running to assume the worst. Hey, George Zimmerman got away with it, I will too.

I’m scared.