Why the Martin case can be about racism, regardless of Zimmerman's race/ethnicity
The history of certain groups, such as African Americans in this country mean that their lives are often valued less than others, no matter the race of the person that is making that judgment.
One of the arguments floating around DU is that this isn't a case of white on black racism if Zimmerman is considered Hispanic (which actually may be white, since Hispanic is not a race).
But that's not the point --in fact, it diverts from the point.
Nonwhites are often undervalued in this nation compared to whites. As if to add insult to injury, that prejudice often is present in the minds of the victims of discrimination. That racial minorities sometimes may judge themselves with the same harshness and unfairness that the larger culture holds. Furthermore, not only are nonwhites often undervalued by the culture at large, so are others who fall under the judgment of the larger culture for being "different" somehow.
So it's not just about race either (though the Martin case itself is). It's a similar thing when a woman thinks she cannot be president, it's a similar thing when someone who is disabled thinks they cannot have as full a life as another human being. It's a similar thing when someone in the LGBT community thinks that fulfillment of their dreams is somehow undeserved or doubtful because of their innate characteristics.
Surely, some people despite the prejudices of the society around them, think no less of themselves. But some people, at times, some people do. It's very human to sometimes internalize what those around you tell you, even when it's wrong.
But the point of America is to break down these prejudices and have everyone, everywhere be judged by not what they were born as, but what they did with their life.
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