General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTo those who refuse to admit Zimmerman was profiling.
No, I am not only talking about Trayvon being black, imagine Trayvonica is walking home after getting candy and soda. And a strange man follows her. Chases on foot and confronts. Ludicrous? Why?
Why do we allow a girl to fight for her life against a stalker, and not a boy? Would we assume that trayvonica was the aggressor, in the absence of another eyewitness? Would we assume Trayvonica will just grow up to be a thug?
Little Star
(17,055 posts)freshwest
(53,661 posts)HereSince1628
(36,063 posts)The assessment that something doesn't belong is by definition a comparison to a 'profile' of the hes/shes/thats which represent what does belong.
Consequently, since Zimmerman identified Trayvon as someone who didn't belong there it reasonably follows that Zimmerman used some manner of profile to reach that decision. I think the notion that some sort of profile was involved is inescapable.
Life Long Dem
(8,582 posts)WingDinger
(3,690 posts)What if Trayvon was mentally ?
The stupidest thing about Zimmerman is, once you are made, as evidenced by Trayvon asking if Z is following him, any thoughts of burglary, or any other plan, would be put at least on hold. So, his further chasing trayvon served no purpose but to make Zimmerman feel macho. There was some utility in letting a suspicious character see you. that is where the utility ended.
Rex
(65,616 posts)and murdered him I really cannot see how that will not happen.
ZombieHorde
(29,047 posts)Unless of course Martin was doing something that seemed suspicious, such as looking in people's windows.
I know you are probably using the word for the sake of sophistry, but "stalking" requires repeated acts. A man following you may be scary, but it is not stalking.
bemildred
(90,061 posts)1. Pursue or approach stealthily: "a cat stalking a bird".
The general idea being stealthy pursuit.
Which I think was the intended one, given that the two parties did not know each other , and the implication of hunting clear.
ZombieHorde
(29,047 posts)Hunting is a good metaphor, but may not describe Zimmerman's actual thoughts at the time.
bemildred
(90,061 posts)And in fact here we are arguing about it. I have not come to any conclusion about that, probably will not until the trial is done and we have (hopefully) the evidence from that to consider.
WingDinger
(3,690 posts)NO, was the reply. Then, Z continued the pursuit. that is a pattern, and makes further suspicion of wrongdoing that night moot.
ZombieHorde
(29,047 posts)and Martin was right to be concerned about Zimmerman, but stalking has a very specific legal meaning.
MADem
(135,425 posts)meaning of the word, which is a much more recent definition in the general lexicon, where some person--often some poor woman who is fixated upon by a nefarious fellow-- is getting creeped out because she keeps thinking someone is tracking her movements, looking at her phone records, breaking into her computer to discover her whereabouts, etc., over time.
bemildred
(90,061 posts)Glad to have that strategy confirmed.
earth trine
(11 posts)Don't give anyone any ideas for names: "Trayvonica"
msongs
(67,441 posts)Liberal_Stalwart71
(20,450 posts)If the roles were reversed and Trayvon were white, these people would be singing a different tune!!