ABC’s Nightline’s intro to this piece about Trayvon Martin’s parents’ Black Lives Matter advocacy leaves a little something out. See if you can spot what’s missing . . .
It was five years ago this month when 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, unarmed, holding just a bag of skittles and a bottle of iced tea, was shot and killed by neighborhood watch George Zimmerman.
No, not the noun between “neighborhood watch” and “George Zimmerman” (“member”?) — although editing. I’m thinking there should be something about the fact that a court of law adjudicated Mr. Zimmerman innocent of murder, confirming that Mr. Martin had attacked and was beating Mr. Zimmerman at the time of the shooting.
But that would have killed the vibe for this piece, which probably should have aired on WTBS (Waving The Bloody Shirt). Granted, ABC goes on to mention the acquittal in passing, without touching on the self-defense component. Enough said?
Martin’s father has his own take on the shooting, of course. “This was a child who lost his life to a senseless act of violence, gun violence, to someone who wanted to be a vigilante.”
Counterpoint? Yeah, no. Pictures of Trayvon as smiling teen? Sure! And why not finger Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law too, despite the fact that Mr. Zimmerman never used its provisions in his defense. Might as well also trot out President’s Obama’s assertion that if he’d had a son, he would have looked like Trayvon.
Trayvon’s mother is considering running for office. I wonder where she stands on gun control, and why this report didn’t mention any of the Martin’s proposed solutions for “gun violence.” Or not.