The Lesson of Martin-Zimmerman

I watched the announcement of the Zimmerman/Martin verdict. The press portrayed the results in terms of winners and losers. There were no winners in the confrontation between George and Trayvon. One is dead and the other will carry scars that may never heal.

The sad truth is that the damage was a result of two men who were too inexperienced to share their concerns with each other. George was rationally suspicious of a stranger who was walking between residences at night, dressed in black. Trayvon was understandably annoyed and indignant that he was being followed.

When Trayvon approached George and walked around his car, George should have exited his vehicle and asked to speak with Trayvon. Striking up a conversation, George should have explained that there had been several burglaries in the area and he did not recognize Trayvon as a resident.

Trayvon could have taken control of the situation and motioned for George to roll down his window and inquired as to why he was being followed. He could have explained that he was trying to stay out of the rain while returning to a relative’s house from the store.

If either had made an overture, a conversation might have ensued and the concerns of both would have been alleviated. George might have even offered to give Trayvon a ride home to avoid the rain.

An initial conversation was replaced with confrontation and that never ends well. Two inexperienced men misjudged the situation. Suspicion and distrust ended in tragedy. It is a lesson that we should all learn.