Rant Heard Round The World: 'Old White Guy' Rages About Verdict And Video Goes Viral

http://www.addictinginfo.org/2013/07/14/rant-heard-round-the-world-old-white-guy-rages-about-verdict-and-video-goes-viral-video/

This will be short. I’ve been writing about this story over the last few days and, between phone calls, social media, heated conversations, debate rage, and the wrangling of hundreds of comments, some of which have been like little sucker punches along the way, I’m emotionally exhausted. And yet…

The story didn’t change in those 24 hours. The verdict is still “not guilty.” Trayvon Martin is still dead. The Martin family is still grieving the loss of their son and now the exoneration of his killer. That story didn’t change.

I’m weary after hours of listening to the insanity of some responses. I’m heartsick to witness how hateful and ugly people can get in the face of a young black boy’s death. I’m surprised at the rationale of some, the ‘certainty’ of others, and a sense that the core of the story, the most basic, irrefutable facts of the case, are being buried in an avalanche of interpretation that takes into account things none of us could possibly know… like, what exactly happened when Zimmerman and Martin finally made contact after the former stalked the latter in an act of misguided, ill-advised, gun-toting self-righteousness? 

To every single person who’s listed evidence, who’s stated “the facts as I know them,” or plied me with pious comments about the jury system and the rule of law, I have retorted NONE OF THAT MATTERS. Because ALL of this goes back to the moment George Zimmerman climbed out of his car, disregarded the instructions of police, and with his trusty gun strapped to his body, set out to stalk an innocent young black man. 

THAT’s the only moment that we know and THAT’s the moment that triggered (pun sadly intended) every parsed, analyzed, debated and interpreted moment that followed.

And yet, as many times as I’ve said that, it wasn’t until I saw this video that I felt like someone else was actually getting my rage, even saying some of the same things. And with the volume, the emotion, the sheer howl I’m feeling, maybe you’re feeling.

the wisdom of us older people should not be denied, it's like history forget it, it repeats.  those who dismiss this are not willing to change anything, they are satified with the status quo, they are not affected they have not endured this type of annihilation of character and judged on what is assigned to you in it's place. 

they are  white and some token wannabe's but still are BICO.  aside from the danger to young kids of color it extends to the entire society, look where America is and look at where although slowly where it is going, then imagine this day without having been subjected to right wing obstruction where it would be, more than likely you'd have a job.

It appears no one knows who this man is; likely that will come out shortly and if it does, I’ll post an update here. [See below for that update.] Commenters have referred to him as the “old white guy.”

All we know right now is that the video was posted on YouTube today by “James,” and it’s already making its way around the viral universe. I’m not surprised; it strikes a chord. Not only did his outburst bring like-minded tears to my eyes, it gave voice to the HOLLER I’d like to make right now… but I’m trying to keep to my “inside voice.”

And his image is a surprise. It goes against stereotype, against “profiling.” He’s an old, craggy, tooth-challenged white man. A man who, if someone were to profile him, would be described as a trailer park “redneck,” someone who would surely hold racist, bigoted views of this case (or any other). And that’s the surprise. That he’s not that. That he’s someone else all together.

Someone films him as he walks across a room, and his rage is so raw, so palpable, he appears to almost howl on behalf of all of us so outraged by this event and this verdict.

as long as there are those who don't oppose there is hope and a positive element in the mix.

the race card they claim our advocates pull from time to time, it's real it's in stone, for the time being. deceitful denial of existence of racism just shows that as intentionally blind, lying, but it carries something that plays on their conscious, because why else would they deny it, that may very well be the first step to resolution.

God Bless him!