Obama: "Trayvon Martin could have been me."

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ivysaur12 said:
Again, I can't sneak into Zimmerman's mind to tell you what he exactly he thought at that exact moment. Does a person need to be a member of the KKK to profile someone? No. So, again, what would have happened if Trayvon was white? Would we be having this discussion? Would someone have followed a white Trayvon?
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Good. My main point is that we don't know. I'm not ready to make Zimmerman the poster boy for America's latent racism.

Would it have happened in Trayvon was white? For all we know, it would have.

Would be we having this discussion? No, but how is that evidence?

Would someone have followed a white Trayvon? I'm talking about Zimmerman, and for all we know, he would have.

Let's talk about race, that's great. But why does Zimmerman have to be the starting point when we have no evidence that race played a role?
 
JB1981 said:
There were several identifying factors other than the color of his skin that aroused George's suspicion. The fact that he was black seems to have had nothing to do with it based on the evidence.
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ummm, no there wasn't

this is the main reason why people bring race up in this case.

The kid was walking-while-Black, period.
 
Obama getting involved and speaking out regarding the national dialogue of race and guns and self-defense laws is ridiculous. He has no right to inject himself into this conversation. The last thing we need is more politicizing of the Zimmerman event. The whole thing is finished now, anyway. Sure, there have been riots nationally and all, but this only stokes the fire. Now it may never end.

I mean, who does Obama think he is, the President?
 
Pctx said:
what a fucking retard he is. I swear to god, he literally is the most worthless person and man on the face of the planet. He really needs to learn to stay out of this especially because he black.
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Haha you just proved why you are on my ignore list. Your opinion is literally worthless and a pain for the eyes reading it.

Back on it you go...
 
Pctx said:
what a fucking retard he is. I swear to god, he literally is the most worthless person and man on the face of the planet. He really needs to learn to stay out of this especially because he black.
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haha yeah no fuck that. what else do you think he "needs to learn"?
 
Pctx said:
what a fucking retard he is. I swear to god, he literally is the most worthless person and man on the face of the planet. He really needs to learn to stay out of this especially because he black.
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So black people aren't allowed to comment on this incident? What are you trying to say here?
 
GT Vespene said:
Ari Fleischer is now on CNN spinning his bullshit saying Obama is walking on thin ice by not representing "all the people" with his remarks.

Fuck that guy.
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I don't like Ari Fleischer though he is being so dramatic as usual "walking on thin ice" please.

I do agree however that Obama has to represent all people including Zimmerman. Now I will agree that the verdict was awful he should have been found guilty of at least manslaughter but Zimmerman went through the court system, had his day in court and was found not guilty.

Now I think it is more than fine for Obama to speak and bring up issues that are race related in fact its certainly an important conversation that needs to be had but I don't think he should be getting involved with this case in his position as even though he may not agree with the verdict of this case I still think he should remain neutral on things like this personally.

I don't know this is a weird case I think it certainly brings up alot of important questions but I personally don't see this as a civil rights case like alot of people are making it out to be I just see it as a murder trial. Still he should have been found guilty of manslughter.
 
People really show themselves in these threads.


Obama's comments are spot on. Sad truth is as a black man in America you are never safe from being suspicious.
 
enzom21 said:
So black people aren't allowed to comment on this incident? What are you trying to say here?
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Nothing racist at all, just that black people should know their role and stay in their place.

I'm honestly surprised he managed to resist using "uppity" in that post.
 
BLACKLAC said:
President laying down truth.
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Agreed. His words could inspire and ease the emotionally effected americans. Especially for those that are the violent rioting protestors that are causing more harm then good. Including these recent random Mobs running the streets out in Hollywood.
 
heyf00L said:
Good. My main point is that we don't know. I'm not ready to make Zimmerman the poster boy for America's latent racism.

Would it have happened in Trayvon was white? For all we know, it would have.

Would be we having this discussion? No, but how is that evidence?

Would someone have followed a white Trayvon? I'm talking about Zimmerman, and for all we know, he would have.

Let's talk about race, that's great. But why does Zimmerman have to be the starting point when we have no evidence that race played a role?
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Because I think that profiling was involved when Zimmerman saw black teen + hoodie + "carrying something" and doing something suspicious that amounted to "looking at houses." Can that be proven in court? No, but given the systematic issues with have with race and trusting minorities in this country, yeah, I think at some level, race was involved.
 
Pctx said:
what a fucking retard he is. I swear to god, he literally is the most worthless person and man on the face of the planet. He really needs to learn to stay out of this especially because he black.
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This is the shittiest fucking post I have ever read on this forum.
 
We can surmise 1 of 5 things about Zimmerman's propensity for profiling:

  • He assumes everyone in a hoodie is a criminal
  • He assumes everyone out at night is a criminal (except for himself)
  • He assumes all teenagers are criminals
  • He assumes everyone walking in the rain is a criminal
  • He assumes blacks that belong to any of the above groups are criminals
I can think of which one is most likely.
 
IGSaint said:
As if every president doesn't do shit that someone doesn't like.
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Wasn't really the point I was making. I agree with what he's saying, but I'm not going to start circle jerk posting about how proud I am.

This is the shittiest fucking post I have ever read on this forum.
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Stick around it's been worse.

Why don't people want to talk about race? Serious question.
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It's an uncomfortable topic. Just look at the people who've said that it should not be talked about by the president. If these comments were made during the trial people might have a point, but even then jurors aren't allowed to listen to media stuff while the trials on right? Correct me if I'm wrong.
 
barack-obama-smoking.jpg


Yup. I can't argue with the man. lol He looks like he's having a good time.
 
Getting caught smoking weed could have been him and he'd never become president.

Puts more effort into drug war instead of talking about decriminalization.
 
I can't say I've liked Obama much as a president, but I'm all for him commenting on on this case. Damn near every black person has been profiled or felt alienated for just being themselves.
 
PhoenixPause said:
One of the funniest part of this entire story is the 180 that has been done among some conservatives on guns. Trayvon with a gun wasn't him expressing his second amendment rights, it was him being a thug.
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You'd think they'd have the capacity to come to terms with their own hypocrisy...nope. It's amazing that people just aren't thinking at all.

Obama had a good segment at the end about improving (though imperfect) race relations, and he's right. We're better today, but still imperfect, though improving on imperfect.
 
Big respect to Obama for expressing the African-American perspective. He hit the nail on the head describing some of the covert racism black males experience.

Not comfortable to hear it? Imagine living it daily.
 
ivysaur12 said:
Because I think that profiling was involved when Zimmerman saw black teen + hoodie + "carrying something" and doing something suspicious that amounted to "looking at houses." Can that be proven in court? No, but given the systematic issues with have with race and trusting minorities in this country, yeah, I think at some level, race was involved.
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But without any evidence, how is this train of thought any different then that of someone who saw a black kid with a hoodie carrying something = suspicious.

Black=criminal
White=racist.
 
entrement said:
Why don't people want to talk about race? Serious question.
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Because most people are made uncomfortable by any discourse that might--in any way, shape, or form--imply that they benefit from a level of privilege where they believe there isn't any. Acknowledging that blacks (and other minorities, lets be real) might still be socially disadvantaged is to admit that they might have been given a leg up at some point in history. Can't have that.

That's why these conversations tend to branch off onto tangents like, "White people can't experience racism?" or "Why can't we have a straight pride month!?" or, my favorite "women don't realize how bad MEN have it."
 
Black Mamba said:
Obama getting involved and speaking out regarding the national dialogue of race and guns and self-defense laws is ridiculous. He has no right to inject himself into this conversation. The last thing we need is more politicizing of the Zimmerman event. The whole thing is finished now, anyway. Sure, there have been riots nationally and all, but this only stokes the fire. Now it may never end.

I mean, who does Obama think he is, the President?
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And when people like me say he should do the same thing against the big banks, or the drug war/private prisons, or any other common sense ethical argument people say he can't do that because something something fox news would cry. "Play into the oppositions hands"

He can't lose either way. Liberals will give him an out all the time.
 
Frank the Great said:
Exactly.

This thread is ridiculous, I can't believe some people's reactions. I haven't seen even one attempt at a reason why Obama shouldn't have said anything.
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There's a misconception that the President should be completely impartial and stay out of every public event in the country that does not earn unanimous scorn (like Sandy Hook and the Marathon Bombings) in fear of "adding fuel to the fire." The problem comes in in a situation like this where there have already been riots, a lot of aggressive dialogue on the subject, and a pretty firm division. Even the government itself can't agree 100% of the time, and there are going to be moments where the President is going to act against the grain a little bit.

I personally think he did well in bringing this up; evading it any longer would just be ignoring an elephant in the room that would only serve to mess up things later on down the line.

Angry Fork said:
And when people like me say he should do the same thing against the big banks, or the drug war/private prisons, or any other common sense ethical argument people say he can't do that because something something fox news would cry. "Play into the oppositions hands"

He can't lose either way. Liberals will give him an out all the time.
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I have no idea who you might be talking about in this scenario, but that is a problem in of itself because such people would be giving deference to Fox News out of all things.

But overall, yeah, it would have been great if he spoke out about things like Bank scandals, privatizing prison, Operation Fast & Furious debacles with drug wars, etc. But just because he doesn't say something then does not mean he shouldn't say something at all when the opportunity arises.
 
enzom21 said:
So you pulled this statement out of your ass?

I am not surprised though... that seems to be where your head is.
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Don't know what to tell you. I listen to George's 911 call and it doesn't sound like a racist. It sounds like someone who is just suspicious of someone in his neighborhood. It happens. People get suspicious of others every day. He explained why he felt he was suspicious. If that doesn't satisfy you then fine. But I'm not going to claim the guy is a racist just because Travyon happened to be black. You are jumping to that conclusion based on very little evidence
 
akira28 said:
Because then they can convince themselves that racism is a thing of the past. They blame us for the racism now. They say we just can't let it go.

Can I get an amen pct?
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It just seems the vibe I get is one of antagonism and anger when race is brought up. It's very troubling to say the least. And it's rarely from those who have suffered institutional racism, which comes off as uncivil and insensitive.
 
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