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“To see injustice and do nothing about that means to participate in it (Jean-Jacquees Rousseau)”. In the poem, “My life passed me by” written by Nate Spears, he talked about the tragedy involving Trayvon Martin. Additionally, Trayvon’s life was shortened at the age of seventeen. Hence, Trayvon’s dreams were shattered when he was shot in the chest. Namely, shot, for carrying a bag of skittles. Furthermore, society has a perception that the average African-American male is looked at as someone who is dangerous or wants to do harm. Not to mention, this often can be determined just based off what an individual wears. For an example, an individual who wears a hooded jacket. However, not every black male conceals the same demeanor. Seeing that, …show more content…
in the poem there were four stanzas that displayed Anaphora; which is defined as the type of parallelism of lines and phrases with the same words. Specifically, the stanzas that read “my life has passed me by”, expressed Trayvon Martin’s life that came to an end due to a prejudgment thought. Thus, in the poem section section one of the third poem there was a rhyme scheme in stanza one and stanza five. Conversely, injustice is the process of an individual(s) undergoing an unfair outcome due to the criminal justice system. Likewise, there are many things that played a role in the death of Trayvon Martin. Trayvon Martin endured injustice because he expressed helplessness, misconception, and innocence. Teasley 2 There is no doubt that Trayvon Martin indicated helplessness on the dark night he was murdered. According to the poem, In stanza 4 (lines 23-24) , Spears says “screaming help in my last day, But no one came”. Thus, this is evidence that Trayvon Martin was defenseless. Specifically, he was shrieking for help but no one accompanied him. Hence, in the poem, in stanza 6 (lines 31-32), Spears says “ I was gunned down with intense impact, A 9 millimeter shot; to my chest. Conversely, this is verification that Trayvon Martin was incapable of protecting himself from the bullet. Furthermore, he was shot with intense force. Namely, this is evidence that the shooter was in rage and there was nothing he could do. Moreover, Spears declared in stanza 2 (line 8) “ The pulling of a trigger, escorted me life from earth forever”. Likewise, Trayvon was powerless because it was nothing he could do to prevent himself from being taken from Earth. Not to mention, “the pulling of a trigger, escorted me from earth forever” that is shown in stanza 2 is a metaphor; which is defined as a phrase that is represented as something else; an object to which it is not literally significant. In that, this is a metaphor because it was not the trigger that took him from Earth. However, it was the impact of the bullet from the trigger. Thus, God represents the trigger who literally removed Trayvon Martin. In the poem, “Skittles for Trayvon: A Diminishing Suite In Verse” written by Lillian Bertram, she mentions in stanza 8 and 9 (lines 41-46) “Troubled Man stepped on Singing Boy’s heels, who yelled in surprise. His yell so scared Troubled Man who sunk his hands around the throat of Singing Boy and squeezed out the song with all this might. Otherwise, this signifies that Trayvon Martin was not capable of shielding himself from the Troubled Man. Regardless, of if Troubled Man was startled by Singing Boy once he recognized that Singing Boy was to do no harm, why did he not cease? Nevertheless, bad things always happens to good people and God calls for people when he is ready for them to go home forever. Teasley 3 There is no uncertainty that Trayvon Martin revealed misconception on the shadowy night he was killed. Misconception is inaccurate thinking based off an opinion that is incorrect. According to the poem, in stanza 5 (lines 25-26), Spears says “Every person of color isn’t how they appear to you. Furthermore, Trayvon Martin was killed based off a forejudge thought. Moreover, every black male is not a male who intends to do harm or sells drugs on the corner. Additionally, in the poem, In stanza 5 (line 27) “All young blacks don’t attack” Thus, not all juveniles commit crimes. However, the media puts images in our society that African- Americans are “thugs”. Likewise, thugs who sag pants and listen to loud rap music in pimped out cars. Hence, it is more of black lives that keep getting taken away because African- Americans, especially males are looked at as a threat. Society is quick to judge a black male than a white male. This is proof of fear of the African-Americans, which is why we are often prejudge. Namely, prejudgment started for African- Americans during slavery and is something that continues today. In addition, African-Americans are always overlooked before people even give them a chance. Nevertheless, this often ends with an African-American life being taken away or being sentenced to incarceration. Regardless of color, culture, age we are all humans. Not to mention, we all brothers and sisters in God’s eyes no matter where we come from. Moreover, we should all be treated equal. According to Spears, In stanza 3 (lines 15-16) “Never would I have thought, justice wouldn’t be served For my own murder; in my own city. Namely, Trayvon Martin underwent injustice because he experienced unfair treatment and devalue of his life. Specifically, Trayvon Martin encountered injustice because he was stereotyped for being black. Teasley 4 There is no doubt that Trayvon Martin demonstrated innocence on the night he was murdered. Lillian Bertman declared in Section 1, stanza 1 (lines 17-20) “rue” “coon” “too” “soon”. Hence, rue is defined as the term for regret. Nevertheless, coon is defined as an insulting name for a black person. Specifically, coon is another word for the phrase “nigger”. Likewise, this is corroboration that Trayvon Martin exemplified innocence on the gloomy night. Thus, in the poem, Spears said “A flash that I would have never imagined, In my brief 17 years on earth alive”. Thus, Trayvon Martin believed that such a tragedy would have never had to happen to him. He thought he was too young to experience the disaster. In addition, Spears voiced “a journey to the store for skittles, brought an encounter turned deadly”. Additionally, all of what Trayvon hoped for in the future crushed due to a simple voyage. According to the writer, in stanza 6 (lines 31-33) “ onto the land of Troubled Man, a Water person of old who grew troubled by the strange singing in the dark”. This line of the poem contains a verb phrase; which describes something and can be a noun. This is a verb phrase because the poetic line is describing the Troubled Man. Otherwise, this signifies the “Troubled Man” was a person who wanted to purposely cause trouble. Ultimately, in Stanza 8 (lines 39-40) “ Sun was eating Earth, Moon was devouring Sun, Venus was transited over the swamp. Moreover, this is the term known as a personification; which is defined as something that conveys nonhuman characteristics. Notably, this is a personification because Sun, Earth, Venus, and the Moon are planets and two are stars; which are non human. In the poem, Reuben Jackson expressed “I’m so old school- I hang till the latch clicks like an unloaded gun”. Thus, that was God himself waiting for Trayvon. Not to mention, as declared “my next stop is describe as heaven. In that, God waited until the gun sounded and that Teasley 5 was when he took Trayvon with him to heaven. Conversely, evil has no age limit despite the age or appearance, someone will always prejudge an individual. Namely, Trayvon Martin encountered injustice because he revealed helplessness, misconception, and innocence.
Hence, Spears says “ I was gunned down with intense impact, A 9 millimeter shot; to my chest. Conversely, this is verification that Trayvon Martin was incapable of protecting himself from the bullet. Furthermore, he was shot with intensive impact. Namely, this is evidence that the shooter was filled with wrath and there was nothing Trayvon could do. Namely, Trayvon Martin underwent injustice because he experienced unfair treatment and devalue to his life. Specifically, Trayvon Martin encountered injustice because he was stereotyped for his skin color. Thus, Martin believed that such a tragedy would have never had happen to him, he thought he was too young to experience the disaster. In addition, Spears voiced “a journey to the store for skittles, brought an encounter turned deadly”. Additionally, all of what Trayvon dreamed for in the future crushed by being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Moreover, there is no doubt that Trayvon Martin underwent innocence on the night he was murdered. However, Trayvon Martin was an unarmed 17 year old teenager who was killed by an enraged shooter. Not to mention, he died carrying a bag of skittles he had brought from the store. Moreover, his life was taken because he was stereotyped. Hence, Trayvon has departed from Earth and is in a place called Heaven. Thus, he is free from suffering and a world full of hatred. Specifically, this discussion is important because everyone is not aware of what happened to Trayvon Martin on the night he died. Conversely, this is a wicked world in which we live that is filled with an unfair criminal justice system. Additionally, more towards the African Americans is where the criminal justice system begins to be
unfair. Teasley 6 Otherwise, racism is alive and occurs more in America than any other country in the world, however, people often try to camouflage it. To conclude, in order for there to be a change it needs to first be acknowledged because you cannot fix an issue without having the tools to fix it.
In the article, “A Letter My Son,” Ta-Nehisi Coates utilizes both ethical and pathetic appeal to address his audience in a personable manner. The purpose of this article is to enlighten the audience, and in particular his son, on what it looks like, feels like, and means to be encompassed in his black body through a series of personal anecdotes and self-reflection on what it means to be black. In comparison, Coates goes a step further and analyzes how a black body moves and is perceived in a world that is centered on whiteness. This is established in the first half of the text when the author states that,“white America’s progress, or rather the progress of those Americans who believe that they are white, was built on looting and violence,”
The documentary 13th, directed by Ava DuVernay, is centered around the argument that slavery did not end with the inclusion of the 13th Amendment in the United States Constitution. To enhance her argument, she includes interviews with well-educated authors, professors, activists, and politicians. She also tells the stories of African Americans who have been wrongfully prosecuted by the police and have not received the justice they deserve, including Trayvon Martin. This essay will analyze the Trayvon Martin and George Zimmerman scene in the documentary and how DuVernay effectively uses ethos, pathos, and logos in the film. Duvernay includes the Trayvon Martin case to further her argument that slavery did not disappear with the 13th Amendment; it modernized into the American prison system.
Brent Staples’ “Just Walk on By: Black Men and Public Space” is about how racial profiling has affected his life and made him think of himself as a perilous person. He supports this argument by allowing the readers to see things from his point of view during the times when he was treated like an outsider because of the color of his skin, followed by sharing how the situation made him feel confused and foreign. Staples’ wrote this essay in order to make readers become aware of how often racial profiling actually happens among men. His intended audience is primarily people of color because that is what his essay focuses on, but the intended audience is also those who are not of color because the author is trying to convince them about the
The killings of unarmed black men have increased tremendously with different races to blame for. In January 2011, the life of Justin Patterson was snatched from him and his family by Mr. Neesmith, who only served in prison for one year. How do you think the community of Toombs County and Justin's family feel about him only serving one year in a detention center? Many people protested that the racial issues behind his travesty caused an upstir in the world, including the murder of Trayvon Martin that just recently happened in Florida during that time. However, Justin Patterson's murder did not make national news or even in the papers because most people thought he was just another dead man.
On the night of February 26, 2012 “George Zimmerman who was the coordinator for his Sanford neighborhood watch association is charged with second-degree murder in the death of a young boy. Trayvon Martin, an unarmed high school student from Miami, Florida. (Alvarez) The case began in a small city of Sanford as a routine homicide but soon evolved into a civil rights case, examining racial profiling. On the night of the attack Zimmerman was told not to get out of his car when he was following Trayvon. He described Trayvon as a “guy who looks up to no good, or he’s on drugs or something” Trayvon had his back to Zimmerman the whole time he was on the phone with the Dispatcher, from what the conversation was saying. When the dispatcher asked Zimmerman “is the guy white, black, or Hispanic? “Zimmerman says that he “looks” black, Zimmerman still has yet to see if Trayvon was black, white, or even Hispanic because Trayvon was walking the other direction. Later on in the conversation is when Zimmerman said “now he’s just staring at me”. That would have been the right time to mention the race of Trayvon. As the dispatcher was asking mo...
The case involved a neighborhood watchman, who happened to be on duty when he saw a young black man wearing a sweater jacket called a “hoodie”, walking through the neighborhood. George Zimmerman, the watchman, who was twenty-eight years old at the time, called authorities about a suspicious character walking around in his neighborhood. The authorities told him not to do anything; just continue with his rounds and not worry. Zimmerman, however, decided he would take matters into his own hands. He confronted the young man; they got into a brawl and Zimmerman pulled out a gun and shot and killed Martin. That premise will play a role in this paper as an argument as to why George Zimmerman should have been convicted of committing a crime. Even if the jury could not have reasons to convict him of the second degree murder of Trayvon Martin; they had other choices.
The transition of being a black man in a time just after slavery was a hard one. A black man had to prove himself at the same time had to come to terms with the fact that he would never amount to much in a white dominated country. Some young black men did actually make it but it was a long and bitter road. Most young men fell into the same trappings as the narrator’s brother. Times were hard and most young boys growing up in Harlem were swept off their feet by the onslaught of change. For American blacks in the middle of the twentieth century, racism is another of the dark forces of destruction and meaninglessness which must be endured. Beauty, joy, triumph, security, suffering, and sorrow are all creations of community, especially of family and family-like groups. They are temporary havens from the world''s trouble, and they are also the meanings of human life.
Although black men have been and still are being ridiculed and proposed to be a mugger, rapist, drug dealer, or a subject of someone’s crime, it is not always true. All black men are not and should not be seen as a hazard to another life. Some men of color are trying to make it out, aside from being a statistic of being an uneducated man that gets through by selling drugs. Some men are trying to make it to the top of the food chain, rather than remaining at the bottom and never moving elsewhere. These men are those who are most offended by others who consider them to be hazardous or a threat to them.
In Brent Staples’ "Just Walk on By: Black Men and Public Space," Staples describes the issues, stereotypes, and criticisms he faces being a black man in public surroundings. Staples initiates his perspective by introducing the audience in to thinking he is committing a crime, but eventually reveals how the actions taken towards him are because of the fear linked to his labelled stereotypes of being rapists, gangsters and muggers. Staples continues to unfold the audience from a 20 year old experience and sheds light onto how regardless of proving his survival compared to the other stereotypical blacks with his education levels and work ethics being in the modern era, he is still in the same plight. Although Staples relates such burdens through his personal experiences rather than directly revealing the psychological impacts such actions have upon African Americans with research, he effectively uses emotion to explain the social effects and challenges they have faced to avoid causing a ruckus with the “white American” world while keeping his reference up to date and accordingly to his history.
These details help many who may have trouble understanding his hardships, be able to relate. The use of real world examples from his life and history are very convincing and supportive of his theory on blacks lives. Coates talks about how “black blood was spilled in the North colonies, the Revolutionary War, the Civil War [...] and most of all during segregation and the time of JIm Crow Laws. [...] Why is it still being spilt today over the same reasons?” Coates use of history relates to the issues today. It represents how serious the problems were back then, and how serious they still are in the modern society. History is factual, this creates and accurate support to his claim and also allows reader to relate to the past and compare it to today 's society. The rhetorical question causes the audience to think and catches eye. Asking this question emphasizes the issue because it still is a problem that does not have a solution even still today. The author also uses statistics to support the unfair lives of black people. “60 percent of all young black people who drop out of high school will go to jail.” This claim is factual and convincing to his claim about the rigged schooling system in many black communities. The communities are shoved in corner and neglected. This problem results in the thousands of dropouts that later result in jailing. If our schooling systems were
Fueled by fear and ignorance, racism has corrupted the hearts of mankind throughout history. In the mid-1970’s, Brent Staples discovered such prejudice toward black men for merely being present in public. Staples wrote an essay describing how he could not even walk down the street normally, people, especially women, would stray away from him out of terror. Staples demonstrates his understanding of this fearful discrimination through his narrative structure, selection of detail, and manipulation of language.
Living in an environment where the crime rate is relatively low Dreamers do not worry about the daily protection of their bodies leaving room for their minds to be open to explore all life has to offer. Albert Einstein once wrote, “Education is not the learning of facts but the mind to think.” Being an educated black person is not always connected to background, many of the most success people living today have rags to riches story, yet what sets the black dreamers apart is their talk, their address and even at times their looks. Black dreamers’s protection lies in their voice, “You speak very eloquently to be black.” Or in plainer terms, “You talk like a white person.” A black dreamers’ protection lies in their state of dress, for who is going to gun down a man in a suit? When Coates describes his wife’s upbringing he says, “Perhaps it was because she was raised in the physical borders of such a place, because she lived in proximity with the Dreamers. Perhaps it was because the people who thought they were white told her she was smart and followed this up by telling her she was not really black, meaning it as a compliment.” (p.116) These are the people who become caught up in being black but not black enough to be subjected to police brutality. Bell Hooks writes in her essay Gangsta Culture, “On mass media screens today, whether
The Zimmerman case allowed me to be aware of something that was right in front of me. At a young age, my mother's significant other was arrested and imprisoned for "trafficking drugs". My mother had always maintained that he was initially arrested due to racial profiling, as there was no sufficient evidence to warrant the police to search his car. Despite this information being told to me as a child, I remained blind to the effects that such a system of injustice could have on your economic status, mental health, etc. However, I believe that the outcome of the Zimmerman trial opened my eyes to this effect. I believe that Trayvon Martin's family most likely received the same financial and emotional stresses due to the racial injustice associated with their experience. However, they had lost their son. Following the shooting of Trayvon Martin, I began to understand the effect that systemic racism could have on the lives of Black people, and how it had already been affecting
This case is about a 16-year-old kid from Miami named Trayvon Martin. On the night of February 26th, Trayvon walked from his father's house in a gated community to a nearby store. When walking back, he was spotted by George Zimmerman, a 28-year-old neighborhood watch volunteer. There have been a number of break-ins in the neighborhood over the last few weeks and Zimmerman thought that a young black man walking in the rain and wearing a hooded sweatshirt looked suspicious. Zimmerman then called 911 to report the person who "might be on drugs."
Brent Staples focuses on his own experiences, which center around his perspective of racism and inequality. This perspective uniquely encapsulates the life of a black man with an outer image that directly affects how others perceive him as a person. Many readers, including myself, have never experienced the fear that Staples encounters so frequently. The severity of his experiences was highlighted for me when he wrote, “It also made it clear that I was indistinguishable from the muggers who occasionally seeped into the area from the surrounding ghetto.” (135) Having to accept that fact as a reality is something that many people will never understand. It is monumentally important that Staples was able to share this perspective of the world so others could begin to comprehend society from a viewpoint different from their