Blogging has truly been a new and difficult experience for me this semester. For the most part, I am quiet about sensitive issues and tend not to discuss topics that may cause others to feel uncomfortable. I believe blogging has helped me to voice my opinion on topics that I other wise would have just pondered about in my head. 


This week the issue of racial discrimination has been on my mind with good reason. The media appears to be solely focused on the case of Trayvon Martin since the incident occurred last month. The media and protesters have turned this case into a racial profiling case. Whether this case is one of racial profiling or not only the courts will have the final say on that. In the mean time, protesters have voiced their opinions loud and clear against racial profiling. The individual involved in killing Martin, Zimmerman, has been in hiding and is fearful of his life due to the high profile of the case. 


I don't actually want to discuss the case and all of the details regarding it. I am confident that our judicial system will gather all of the facts and decide on the right outcome for this case, as it has for many others. What I do want to express is how angry it makes me to see our people divided over an issue like this. The fact that Martin lost his life in this case is proof enough to investigate this case further. The fact that someone lost their life is sad and an unfortunate event alone, there is no need for further racial division in our country as a result of this death. If protesters want to protest on behalf of this young man's life and his family, then by all means protest for justice in the investigation and that right might be done for Martin. Why does this need to be a racial issue? Had Zimmerman been black like Martin, would people be protesting, or would it be another unfortunate event? 


I'm tired of people in our society pulling the "racial card" for almost every single case that involves white and black individuals. Our country has come a long way from the times in which African Americans did not have rights. We have evolved as a society since the days of Martin Luther King. Dr. King did a great justice bringing people together, so why must we use race as a means to separate our people? If Zimmerman is guilty, then he will go to jail and our system will see that he pays for his actions. As for Martin's family, I'm not sure what to say that can possibly be encouraging for them... they lost a dear member of their family and that is not something they'll ever forget. I hope that Martin's family may find peace in their hearts and come to terms with the death of Trayvon. 


Instead of people in our society focusing on ethnicity, race, sexual preferences, etc... We should focus on working toward finding justice together, deciding on important issues together, seeking a better government together...The animosity between racial issues clouds our future for a better society. Personally, I am Hispanic and I refuse to think that someone would discriminate against me for my ethnicity. The thought of being treated differently for who I am will only harm my chances to succeed. I will never allow others to make me think that I didn't get a job because I'm Hispanic- what's the point? What difference would it make? I rather focus on improving myself and furthering my education so that no one may ever have a reason to speak against me, and even then, they will. My point is, ALL people should focus on improving their lives and educating themselves to become valued members of society, that way when cases such as Zimmerman and Martin rise up, someone may speak up and say..."This isn't a racial issue, instead, let's work together to find the truth behind the unfortunate death of Trayvon Martin." Unfortunately, the media adds fuel to the fire in this aspect and continues the rage among races which insults the work done by so many to end racial discrimination. The media's way to entertain and inform often hinders our society's view of how long we have come since the 1950's Civil Right's movement. I wish that the media would serve to promote union among races, instead of causing an uproar of racial tension for the means of entertainment. 


....We are all equal and I refuse to think otherwise.