If you only watch Fox News, you are probably unaware of the awful tragedy that befell when an unarmed, African American teenager named Trayvon Martin was shot to death by a man in Florida who thought Martin was acting suspiciously as he walked through the neighborhood. The shooter was armed with a 9mm handgun. Martin, on his way home from a convenience store, held a can of iced tea and a bag of Skittles. Martin had no criminal record but the shooter, 28 year-old George Zimmerman, did. Updated
The tragedy is not just the race element - Zimmerman was apparently "fixated on crime and focused on young, black males." But there are also questions of vigilantism and law enforcement. Zimmerman was a neighborhood watch captain where residents felt threatened by crime. Zimmerman has not been arrested and was not tested for drugs or alcohol after Martin was killed. Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law places the threshold for self-defense so low that you need little more than your word to show that your life was in danger.
The story - involving race, crime, self-defense and an innocent teenager - has all the ingredients Fox News normally can't resist. Yet it has been curiously silent.
Think Progress reported today:
Martin has merited coverage by the New York Times, the Washington Post, and USA Today. The story has been covered by all three broadcast networks and extensively on cable. But there is one outlet that has barely mentioned Trayvon Martin — Fox News.
Right now, the top story at Fox Nation shows a photo of a black man over a blaring headline: 'I’m Here Tryin’ to Get Some Obama Bucks!' Shocking Welfare Video that HBO Tried to Kill.
It's hard not to think that race has something to do with Fox's decision to largely ignore the story.
For a more complete rundown of the Trayvon Martin tragedy, check out Think Progress' What Everyone Should Know About Trayvon Martin (1995-2012).
Update: Since I originally posted this, Fox News is playing catch-up...but wait til you read how they spun this tragedy on America Live.
Do you like this post?
Sheldon Glass commented
2012-03-22 06:14:07 -0400
· Flag
it has taken a murder of a young promising American to galvanize a nation over the re-emergence of overt racism is saddening beyond belief. But over the past decade and even more since Obama became President, racism has re-emerged from the fringes and become much more mainstream and overt.
Think about that George W. Bush appointed judge up in Montana, Richard Cebull. He forward a racist email about Obama to friends and colleagues. He knew that email was racist, admitting as much after the scandal broke. But because it was anti-Obama, he sent it anyway. Think about what he is actually saying, if you’re anti-Obama, it’s okay to engage in racism.
Ever since Reagan went to Philadelphia, Mississippi right after being nominated, the GOP has engaged in dog-whistles that have only encourage the entrenchment of racism. Time and again, the leadership of the GOP has failed to condemn in the strongest possible terms whenever violent acts of racism rear their ugly heads. When you have GOP Congressman like Cliff Stearns and Trent Franks all but encourage their constituents in birtherism, you are just fostering a climate of hate based on race. On the opposite side, you have former GOP Rep. Mike Castle of Delaware who did stand up quite forcibly to a constituent on her racist views and his reward was to lose a primary election to Christine O’Donnell. There is your GOP.
Think about that George W. Bush appointed judge up in Montana, Richard Cebull. He forward a racist email about Obama to friends and colleagues. He knew that email was racist, admitting as much after the scandal broke. But because it was anti-Obama, he sent it anyway. Think about what he is actually saying, if you’re anti-Obama, it’s okay to engage in racism.
Ever since Reagan went to Philadelphia, Mississippi right after being nominated, the GOP has engaged in dog-whistles that have only encourage the entrenchment of racism. Time and again, the leadership of the GOP has failed to condemn in the strongest possible terms whenever violent acts of racism rear their ugly heads. When you have GOP Congressman like Cliff Stearns and Trent Franks all but encourage their constituents in birtherism, you are just fostering a climate of hate based on race. On the opposite side, you have former GOP Rep. Mike Castle of Delaware who did stand up quite forcibly to a constituent on her racist views and his reward was to lose a primary election to Christine O’Donnell. There is your GOP.
Yakki PsD commented
2012-03-22 01:39:35 -0400
· Flag
Colin : We know. He made a false statement about the census. No one is arguing that Mr. Zimmerman isn’t of latino heritage. I have no doubts about that,and I’m sure Alex doesn’t either. This was purely on the point of misrepresentation.
And you’re very correct. And not every racist is the same. I’ve met some who are white but hated black. I’ve met others who are white but hated ONLY puerto ricans,as if they could tell by the color of their skin. And vice versa.
Hate is such a personal thing. It’s rather rediculous as well,but there it is.
And you’re very correct. And not every racist is the same. I’ve met some who are white but hated black. I’ve met others who are white but hated ONLY puerto ricans,as if they could tell by the color of their skin. And vice versa.
Hate is such a personal thing. It’s rather rediculous as well,but there it is.
Colin Hughes commented
2012-03-21 21:35:34 -0400
· Flag
*your refutation.
Sometimes i hate grammar, lol.
Sometimes i hate grammar, lol.
Colin Hughes commented
2012-03-21 21:34:34 -0400
· Flag
Um, guys, Dan is right about Zimmerman not being completely white. He is 1/4th hispanic. However, that doesn’t mean racism isn’t an issue here. Mr. Harmond, do you really think that racism only exists between whites and blacks? Racism comes in all forms. there are hispanics that are racist against blacks too, sometimes it’s just as bad as white vs. black racism. There are mixed races that are racist against certain races. Hell, I’ve seen people who were racist against their own race. So you’re refutation of the race issue failed. Epically.
Yakki PsD commented
2012-03-21 14:34:10 -0400
· Flag
As to Zimmerman. I think he initiated the conflict. He showed a definite lack of judgement in getting out of his automobile. Once he did that,he should be accounted the aggressor. If someone is moving away from you,they are no threat,and at that time Zimmerman had no reason to believe that the child was threatening him.
It’s a fairly simple and obvious thing. But the legal loopholes in the stand your ground law has let too many get away with outright murder. As a gun owner myself,I dissagree with that law as being far too loose and open for too loose interpretation.
It’s a fairly simple and obvious thing. But the legal loopholes in the stand your ground law has let too many get away with outright murder. As a gun owner myself,I dissagree with that law as being far too loose and open for too loose interpretation.
Yakki PsD commented
2012-03-21 14:30:46 -0400
· Flag
Dan Harmond:
*Newzhound: On the American 2010 census an overwhelming majority of Hispanics and Latinos marked the box âsome other raceâ when given the choice between black, white, american indian, asian, or some other race. An excerpt from the Census website: âsome other race:..respondants reporting entries such as mixed, interracial, hispanic or latino are included in this category.â Next time get your facts from the source âUS Censusâ vs. fannie mae and freddie loan app. You wont look that stupid in the end. *
Do you want to look stupid? ‘Some other race’ also fits for multi-race parentage. It’s not surprising that we have more multi-racial people in the country since we’ve had a great many latino immigrants,both legal and illegal. It wasn’t so long ago that ‘anchor babies’ was the norm for many for citizenship.
Now for what you conveniently left out,go here :
http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/briefs/c2010br-02.pdf
That shows both questions 5 and 6,which MUST be answered on the census form. People of strictly latino heritage would state such in question 5. But that accounts for their ORIGIN,not their race. People who identify with Hispanic origins can be of any race. I repeat,ANY RACE accoridng to the census bureau. Mixed race would fall under the ‘some other race’.
*Newzhound: On the American 2010 census an overwhelming majority of Hispanics and Latinos marked the box âsome other raceâ when given the choice between black, white, american indian, asian, or some other race. An excerpt from the Census website: âsome other race:..respondants reporting entries such as mixed, interracial, hispanic or latino are included in this category.â Next time get your facts from the source âUS Censusâ vs. fannie mae and freddie loan app. You wont look that stupid in the end. *
Do you want to look stupid? ‘Some other race’ also fits for multi-race parentage. It’s not surprising that we have more multi-racial people in the country since we’ve had a great many latino immigrants,both legal and illegal. It wasn’t so long ago that ‘anchor babies’ was the norm for many for citizenship.
Now for what you conveniently left out,go here :
http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/briefs/c2010br-02.pdf
That shows both questions 5 and 6,which MUST be answered on the census form. People of strictly latino heritage would state such in question 5. But that accounts for their ORIGIN,not their race. People who identify with Hispanic origins can be of any race. I repeat,ANY RACE accoridng to the census bureau. Mixed race would fall under the ‘some other race’.
Ellen commented
2012-03-20 04:16:59 -0400
· Flag
When I wrote this post, it was my understanding that Zimmerman was white. But now it appears that he’s multicultural. I have not taken “white” out of my description of him. But it really doesn’t matter. There’s still a racial element to this story. And my original point stands: that if Martin had been white and Zimmerman black, this would be a major news story on Fox.
Janet Tuhey commented
2012-03-20 02:01:26 -0400
· Flag
All of this quibbling over Zimmerman’s race is totally pointless. All that is important in this story is that a young, unarmed black teen was killed and the killer has not yet been charged.
Fux (not)News’ coverage, or not, isn’t important. They are following SOP and have not done anything surprising or unexpected.
A mother’s child is dead! All he was doing was walking home with some some snacks and this asshole decided to take the law into his own hands, ignore the police directive to back off, and killed this unarmed child in cold, heartless murder. Trayvon Martin’s only “crime” was being a black child in a place that Zimmerman took upon himself to decide he “shouldn’t” be.
Although my child is a 21 year old young woman, as a mother it is beyond comprehension how this asshole could shoot this harmless innocent child. I am appalled at the inaction and uncaring attitude of the police in this town, and the heartless attitude (as expected) of Fux, and you trolls who seemingly are thinking this is a good thing…….just another dead n****r! It all makes me sick!
Fux (not)News’ coverage, or not, isn’t important. They are following SOP and have not done anything surprising or unexpected.
A mother’s child is dead! All he was doing was walking home with some some snacks and this asshole decided to take the law into his own hands, ignore the police directive to back off, and killed this unarmed child in cold, heartless murder. Trayvon Martin’s only “crime” was being a black child in a place that Zimmerman took upon himself to decide he “shouldn’t” be.
Although my child is a 21 year old young woman, as a mother it is beyond comprehension how this asshole could shoot this harmless innocent child. I am appalled at the inaction and uncaring attitude of the police in this town, and the heartless attitude (as expected) of Fux, and you trolls who seemingly are thinking this is a good thing…….just another dead n****r! It all makes me sick!
newzhound commented
2012-03-19 22:33:12 -0400
· Flag
Dan Harmond:
Next time try quoting something that relates to your point.
One more time – race and ethnicity is not the same.
“The OMB defines Hispanic or Latino
as ‘a person of Cuban, Mexican,
Puerto Rican, South or Central
American, or other Spanish culture
or origin regardless of race.’ In
data collection and presentation,
federal agencies are required to use
a minimum of two ethnicities: ‘Hispanic
or Latino’ and ‘Not Hispanic
or Latino.’â
http://www.census.gov/prod/2001pubs/c2kbr01-1.pdf
Next time try quoting something that relates to your point.
One more time – race and ethnicity is not the same.
“The OMB defines Hispanic or Latino
as ‘a person of Cuban, Mexican,
Puerto Rican, South or Central
American, or other Spanish culture
or origin regardless of race.’ In
data collection and presentation,
federal agencies are required to use
a minimum of two ethnicities: ‘Hispanic
or Latino’ and ‘Not Hispanic
or Latino.’â
http://www.census.gov/prod/2001pubs/c2kbr01-1.pdf
Dan Harmond commented
2012-03-19 22:24:10 -0400
· Flag
U.S. Census 2020: “White: refers to people claiming to have original origin from Europe, North Africa or Middle East” ie Ireland, German, Italian, Lebanese, Moroccan, or Caucasion." Therefore I understand the fact that Hispanics come in all colors. So do whites. George may be a murderer but he is not white.
Dan Harmond commented
2012-03-19 22:19:54 -0400
· Flag
Newzhound: On the American 2010 census an overwhelming majority of Hispanics and Latinos marked the box “some other race” when given the choice between black, white, american indian, asian, or some other race. An excerpt from the Census website: “some other race:..respondants reporting entries such as mixed, interracial, hispanic or latino are included in this category.” Next time get your facts from the source “US Census” vs. fannie mae and freddie loan app. You wont look that stupid in the end.
Colin Hughes commented
2012-03-19 22:02:41 -0400
· Flag
@Angel Acevedo: Why is there no like button? I want to like that comment you just posted, lol.
angel acevedo commented
2012-03-19 21:59:12 -0400
· Flag
Actually he’s of hispanic descent and was raised in a multi cultural home. I’m also hispanic prefer the term latino but that’s neither here nor the, the fact is he targeted this teen and the feeling threatened defense is so lame. When your threatened you don’t pursue some1 and wen u have a 9mm i find it hard 2 believe he felt threatened. I also fimd it incredible that there’s a possibility that the pd didn’t check if he was under the influence of anything. There are so many things wrong with this and many people should feel shame for the gross mishandling of this “HOMOCIDE”.
newzhound commented
2012-03-19 21:53:33 -0400
· Flag
Dan Harmond:
Do you honestly not know the difference between ethnicity and race?
Here are the categories from the Fanne Mae/Freddie Mac 1003 Residential Loan Application:
Ethnicity: ô Hispanic or Latino ï Not Hispanic or Latino
Race: ô American Indian or ô Asian ô Black or African American
Alaska Native
ô Native Hawaiian or ôWhite
Hispanics come in all colors.
Do you honestly not know the difference between ethnicity and race?
Here are the categories from the Fanne Mae/Freddie Mac 1003 Residential Loan Application:
Ethnicity: ô Hispanic or Latino ï Not Hispanic or Latino
Race: ô American Indian or ô Asian ô Black or African American
Alaska Native
ô Native Hawaiian or ôWhite
Hispanics come in all colors.
Colin Hughes commented
2012-03-19 21:51:48 -0400
· Flag
@Aria Prescott: if I could like your comments I would.
Aria Prescott commented
2012-03-19 21:46:05 -0400
· Flag
And… once again, Dan. The sources uses identified him as white, which will be corrected in due time when Ellen gets on.
But, I’m sorry… that seems to be all you care about. You couldn’t care less about the case, or how Fox News is spinning it. All you care about is that the source article says George Zimmerman is white.
It’s not like you can have a rational conversation, anyways (you’ve already proven that)and I noticed you don’t seem nearly as up in arms about Bill’s racist “gated communities in the ghetto” comment as you do about Zimmerman being identified as white.
Just calling it as I see it with you.
But, I’m sorry… that seems to be all you care about. You couldn’t care less about the case, or how Fox News is spinning it. All you care about is that the source article says George Zimmerman is white.
It’s not like you can have a rational conversation, anyways (you’ve already proven that)and I noticed you don’t seem nearly as up in arms about Bill’s racist “gated communities in the ghetto” comment as you do about Zimmerman being identified as white.
Just calling it as I see it with you.
