Speed of Life

by Gregg Chadwick Sometimes an image can cut through ignorance and provide a context for understanding and empathy. Today two photos from the more than 100 Justice for Trayvon Martin Rallies across the country struck me deeply: Black Life Matters from #JusticeforTrayvon Rally, July 20, 2013 in Atlanta Georgia photo via @ajc and @thinkprogress I Am Not A Suspect from  #JusticeforTrayvon Rally, July 20, 2013 in New York City

President Obama's Remarks About the Killing of Florida Teenager Trayvon Martin and "Stand Your Ground" Laws on Friday, July 19, 2013 at the White House ( full transcript and video) The reason I actually wanted to come out today is not to take questions, but to speak to an issue that obviously has gotten a lot of attention over the course of the last week, the issue of the Trayvon Martin ruling. I gave a preliminary statement right after the ruling on Sunday, but watching the debate over the course of the last week I thought it might be useful for me to expand on my thoughts a little bit. First of all, you know,  I want to make sure that, once again, I send my thoughts and prayers, as well as Michelle’s, to the family of Trayvon Martin, and to remark on the incredible grace and dignity with which they have dealt with the entire situation. I can only imagine what they’re going through, and it’s remarkable how they’ve handled it. The second thing I ...

by Gregg Chadwick   Today in Ireland, Bruce Springsteen dedicated his powerful song 41 Shots (American Skin) with a call to justice for Trayvon Martin. The verdict in the Zimmerman case was tainted by the stench of ALEC's odious "Stand Your Ground" legislation.  "Stand Your Ground" laws are abhorrent. They are fundamentally biased. A recent study has shown that white people who kill black people in 'Stand Your Ground' states are 354% more likely to be  acquitted of murder.  Denise, an active duty US Marine, wrote a compelling argument against the jury's decision on twitter tonight, "If a man watches a woman while he is in his SUV, follows that woman in the dark  and  kills her because she fought him. Is he justified?" As I write, more than one million  Americans have signed petitions demanding federal civil rights charges against Zimmerman. There is no doubt that Zimmerman killed Trayvon and yet has not  spoken  one word...

Today's sad verdict - a reminder of Gil Scott-Heron's song "Winter in America"  http:// youtu .be/kcHOq8i5Pyk   ‪#‎ TrayvonMartin‬  nod to @ texyellowdogdem