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There is no way I can begin this day without taking a look back at the weekend. By now you have heard that the man who stalked and then shot unarmed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, was cleared of all charges by a jury in Florida. The outrage is being felt around the world. Where is the justice?
By coincidence, this weekend a movie, Fruitvale Station, opened in theatres. It tells the story of a 22-year-old unarmed black man who was shot and killed by a police officer right here in the San Francisco area. In that case a guilty verdict came to a lesser charge and a very light sentence was imposed.
If you are over 40, you will likely recall the murder of San Francisco Mayor George Moscone and San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk, who were shot and killed at City Hall by a former Supervisor November 27, 1978. Again a light sentence to a lessor charge.
Outrage each time. Rioting in the streets. Looking back at the earlier incidents and many other similar ones, have we seen any real change? Is there justice? Is our system broken or are WE broken?
Let's talk about Saturday though. I am disgusted by some of the comments I have heard. Racism is huge in this country. You would think by now we would have grown away from that. The victim in this case was painted in a horrible light. He should not have been on trial. How can we justify this? I really wish I had some answers. I wish I had some great wisdom that could change all of this injustice and let us move onward. We all deserve the blessings of liberty - ALL of us! Trayvon Martin is a name we will long remember, but what if he had lived? Imagine what he might have brought the world. How much better it would be to remember him because of some wonderful act instead of as the victim of another senseless crime.
Let's talk about this weekend, but let's do more than that. Let's change. Let's reach out to ALL of our sisters and brothers and make America the great melting pot we always talk about. Racism, homophobia, inequality, and injustice have no place here. We say we are the place of "liberty and justice for all." Let's make it so!
If you are over 40, you will likely recall the murder of San Francisco Mayor George Moscone and San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk, who were shot and killed at City Hall by a former Supervisor November 27, 1978. Again a light sentence to a lessor charge.
Outrage each time. Rioting in the streets. Looking back at the earlier incidents and many other similar ones, have we seen any real change? Is there justice? Is our system broken or are WE broken?
Let's talk about Saturday though. I am disgusted by some of the comments I have heard. Racism is huge in this country. You would think by now we would have grown away from that. The victim in this case was painted in a horrible light. He should not have been on trial. How can we justify this? I really wish I had some answers. I wish I had some great wisdom that could change all of this injustice and let us move onward. We all deserve the blessings of liberty - ALL of us! Trayvon Martin is a name we will long remember, but what if he had lived? Imagine what he might have brought the world. How much better it would be to remember him because of some wonderful act instead of as the victim of another senseless crime.
Let's talk about this weekend, but let's do more than that. Let's change. Let's reach out to ALL of our sisters and brothers and make America the great melting pot we always talk about. Racism, homophobia, inequality, and injustice have no place here. We say we are the place of "liberty and justice for all." Let's make it so!
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