Home > Blog: Currents & Futures > Currents & Futures 04: I was George Zimmerman

Currents and Futures


[NOTE: Join a LIVE DISCUSSION of this topic, with like-minded change agents, on 11 April.  See information at the end of this article…]

 

Greetings;

The murder of Trayvon Martin is a tragedy.  I oppose and deplore any and all violence, regardless the perpetrator, regardless of the victim.  The killing is yet another painful, senseless tragedy in a society where “violence” is a multi-billion dollar growth industry, a society that raises violence to an art form.  Nothing here will minimize the gravity of this tragedy.

Comment #1: The Media Circus

The sensation around the Trayvon killing is largely a MEDIA-CREATED EVENT.  It has no “reality” outside of the media’s ability (and willingness) to stir up the lingering racial passions that are still an integral part of America’s Shadow, in their never-ending quest to sell advertising space.

There is no racially motivated killing spree going on… but, with the media circus inflaming racial fears, it SEEMS like we’re heading for the “bad old days” again.  We’re not… it just FEELS that way.

Here’s the reality:  Up until the 1960’s, a white person could injure or kill a black person with relative impunity.  NOW, THEY CAN’T.  Even if Trayvon’s killer walks the street right now (due to a legal loophole), rest assured that civil suits, Justice Department investigations and other measures will result in this guy’s life being permanently derailed.  Pulling that trigger will become the defining act of his downward spiraling life.  He will spend the rest of his life trying to pay off the family’s lawsuits.  He may do time in a Federal prison for violation of civil rights.

Comment #2: The Real Issue

Why did Mr. Zimmerman do what he did?  What was his motivation to act?  It is all too easy to take the surface, presenting issue:  “guilty” white guy with gun,  “innocent” black youth with candy… and see this as a racially motivated killing.

It’s NOT.  Zimmerman would have fired on a young white male.  (No doubt Trayvon’s “otherness” made firing easier.) Regardless of race, Zimmerman would have fired, because…

George Zimmerman was trying to feel like a “man”.

Zimmerman’s motivation was NO DIFFERENT from a teenage black or Latino gang-banger with a pistol in his belt.  He’s no different from the white kid (or any race) who takes a loaded gun to school.  THE MOTIVATION IS EXACTLY THE SAME.  Zimmerman’s motivation was no different from MINE, when I owned and carried guns.

Yes, I used to be a George Zimmerman.  My weapons of choice included a revolver, a .45 automatic and a semi-automatic rifle, complete with two banana clips.  Yes, I felt “powerful”.  Yes, I felt “responsible”.  Yes, I felt like I was defending myself, my family and my community.

And then… I woke up.

In Breaker Society, when women feel bad about themselves, many will go shopping for shoes and blouses.  What do men do?  Well, many of us go shopping for horsepower or firepower.

Feeling inferior and depressed is an integral part of Breaker Society – it is how things get sold… from shoes to bullets to anti-depressants.  If we felt good about ourselves… our economy (in its present form) would not survive!

The consequences of buying yet another pair of high heels is small – the injury is to feet and bank accounts.  The consequences of buying a gun is devastating… for the society, the victims and the soul of the shooter.  Because: if you own it, you’re going to want to carry it.  And, if you’re carrying it, it becomes likely that you’ll use it.

Right now, as you are reading this, there are literally thousands of men (and a few women) out on the streets, carrying concealed weapons.  Some legally, most not.  They are all looking for the same thing… and they’re not finding it.

What does “manhood” mean in the 21st Century?  We need a new working definition – one that does not involve buying “stuff” in order to feel good.  We need to go “deep” — understanding our psycho-spiritual relationship to ourselves, to each other and to the Divine.  Our lack of spiritual depth is the REASON we are depressed…

We must become whole, authentic human beings – and encourage all others to do so.  We must learn to listen to our hearts – not Madison Avenue.  We must decide to simply STOP being manipulated, depressed and inferior.

We must learn to wake up.

Peace,

Sharif

 

PS: Let’s engage in a live dialog on this subject!  (The first “Currents & Futures” live discussion went very well!)  If you are interested in a FREE (donations accepted) phone gathering, on Wednesday, 11 April at 7pm Pacific time, using the Maestro Conference interface, please register by clicking here: Currents & Futures Live Discussion.  It is free, but registration is necessary to receive call-in instructions.

 

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