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Reflections on the Trayvon Martin Tragedy: Part II 

“ Our society's obsession with media violence does not show that human beings are naturally violent.  Instead, it demonstrates that our society is ill.” – Paul k Chappell in Peaceful revolution “The greatest single antidote to violence is conversation” – Jonathan Sacks in The Dignity Of Difference Don’t envy violent people or copy their ways. Such wicked people are detestable to the Lord, but he offers his friendship to the godly. (Proverbs 3:31, 32 NLT) This is a continuation of a series of reflections on the tragedy of Trayvon Martin's death and its implications for me personally, and the broader society.  In the first post, I spoke about the clear racialization that initiated the process and how that racialization destroys the possibility of true community.  Regardless whether you believe George Zimmerman's accounting of the events or not, I think we can all agree that Trayvon's death was senseless and that his family is justified in feeling a sense of injustice.  If

Reflections on the Trayvon Martin Tragedy: Part I

"There is a tendency to judge a race, a nation or any distinct group by its least worthy members"      -Eric Hoffer, Philosopher and Presidential Medal of Freedom writer "It's clear that an essential way to stop the violence and the despair in our culture is to engage in activities that bring us empathy and conviviality."      -Cecile Andrews, in Living Room Revolution Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.      -Romans 12:14-16 NIV The entire tragedy of the Trayvon Martin-George Zimmerman incident and trial is almost too large to behold, too deep to describe, and so personal that it is hard to control the emotions that it provokes.  It has been several days since the verdict of not-guilty was issued and I have read some superb blogs and commentaries regarding the legal is