This “Hoodie” thing is a petty fetishization that obscures a realand grave problem we face. It minimizes Black people’s pain and fears and makes it petty pop culture.

THE REAL ISSUE:

This child died because a man was too lazy, and too careless. He was tired of criminals who may have been Black and was too frustrated at those moments (sight to fury) to care about being correct, for at no time during his communications with 911 did he claim an actual criminal act. He applied an ineffective, misguided vigilantism because it comforted him to shoot and kill anyone and he feared no consequences. That boy died because he was Black; his “hoodie” merely a tool to gain the watchman’s unwarranted attention and to eventually lay blame on the victim.

Right or wrong, any discussion of this article of clothing after the fact is simply a means to short-circuit any real discussion about this child’s rights and lack of real and social citizenship. Rights that were ignored in front of that man’s gun, when those detectives “reminded” witnesses what they did or did not see and for the blanket immunity called “stand your ground” protections of those too scared of Blacks and too encumbered to discern whether they’re innocent or not. It is rational prejudice turned into overreaction in the form of a legal deadly weapon and defense from criminal prosecution.

Sadly, though, these “Hoodie” protest only feed into the negative image, especially when most of us Black parents forbid our children, sons in particular, from wearing the hooded sweat-shirt. I hate that this is now being used as a symbol by so many misguided protesters, for I honestly believe that this murder and the failure of the police and State Attorney to simply do their jobs are the real problems.

I’m grateful Truthdig exists to keep the pressure up. Elected officials don’t do a
thing unless liberal/progressives spread the word and then keep the
representatives’ feet to the fire. Thank you!

http://borderlessnewsandviews.com/2012/03/a-word-about-trayvon-martin/