At the risk of sounding so ignorant, I believe that this whole tragedy could have been avoided. I admit I was once one of the least street smart people I knew, which led to quite a few problems (I was actually pretty savagely beaten by members of a different race when I didn't understand that their asking me for my cell phone was a clue that they were up to no good...I was also alone in an environment not favorable to me).
I don't think GZ was "out to kill black men" that night. He actually led the charge to protest the killing of another black male by the same Sanford police a couple years back. He was 50% Hispanic with a little black in him himself. He lived in as diverse a neighborhood as it can get, with blacks, Hispanics, whites and a few Asians sprinkled in, and they all elected him to be neighborhood watch years ago, and they (along with GZ's coworkers) all stood by him for character support (which I think says a lot). When GZ called in incidents to police, he never volunteered race until asked specifically, and there were never any incidents before.
I don't factually know what happened that night...all I know is what was testimony, what was withheld (now), what was presented, and what the outcome was. I truly believe that a guy like GZ wasn't out to shoot innocent victims. I understand where both parties are coming from - perhaps TM was completely innocent and naive and GZ was acting on many past incidents and experience. I don't think GZ was trigger happy, but I also don't think TM did a good enough job dispelling the situation (many here say they would "fight", but really? Well-placed words do so much more!).
In a land where it's legal and highly protected to conceal and carry, and in stand your ground states with high crime, I would think it prudent to make sure you aren't pressing anyone's buttons or sending any signals off. Unfortunately due to statistics and perhaps some sad stereotypes and whatever conditions which may be unfair that lead to these things, if you are a young black male (wearing a hoodie at night in a targeted neighborhood walking in backyards as opposed to the sidewalk, in the rain I might add) I would be extra careful to avoid confrontation and make your presence and intentions known (as a very innocent looking blonde-haired blue-eyed white male, even I would avoid this sitation and jog or walk briskly on a public sidewalk with an obvious destination in my head if it were raining, or sunny!!). Sad but this is reality. Neither party is completely innocent or completely guilty. Maybe laws need to be changed, but this so far has been an issue that further divides people rather than unites them.
