Strange Fruit #38: The Zimmerman Verdict

It's been a week since George Zimmerman was acquitted of killing Trayvon Martin. Most of us have spent this week reflecting, arguing, thinking, protesting, writing, organizing, praying, and unfriending people on social media. Yesterday, President Barack Obama made a statement about the verdict, outlining the effects of racism in America and on his own life. He was immediately accused by some of being divisive. Many prevailing voices are saying we need to move forward. That the system did its job, even if we don't like the result. They say Martin was partially to blame, while we ask what he could have done differently. They say that talking about racism and systemic injustice just perpetuates division. They say they are colorblind, justice is colorblind, and we should be too. These words hold little comfort for those upset by the verdict, and they especially ring hollow for the parents of black children. This week, we talk about the killing, the verdict, the system, the jurors, the law, and where to go from here. We're joined by our friend Lucie Brooks, who's an author, an attorney, women's studies professor, and a mom to four black sons.