My Word: Father of black and white sons wants answers in Trayvon’s death
March 21, 2012
The tragic case of Trayvon Martin begs for answers.
The 17-year-old black youth was fatally shot last month by a Hispanic crime-watch volunteer in a gated Sanford community.
I have four sons raised in Seminole County: two white, by natural birth, and two black, through adoption. This case hits home — not just close to home — for their mother and me. If either of my white sons had been walking in that neighborhood that evening, hood up in a drizzling rain, I am confident they would not have been shot. But I wonder now, if either of my black sons had been walking there, whether either might have lost his life that night. This is profoundly troubling.
If this neighborhood-crime-watch volunteer had followed the 911 dispatcher’s order to stay in his car, this black youth would not have been shot by George Zimmerman. Period. End of story.
But Zimmerman did leave his car, an altercation did ensue, and Trayvon was shot. Why Zimmerman has not been arrested is confounding. Perhaps the Sanford Police Department is being silent, waiting for federal investigators to take over. But the silence only foments more and more protest, more and more suspicion.
The released 911 recordings, far from clarifying, only fuel the fires of want for answers.
Questions begging for answers:
Why would a teenager with a pocket full of Skittles and an iced tea initiate an altercation with an unknown man? Did Trayvon see a drawn gun and fear for his life?
Why, if Zimmerman was screaming for his life, did his screams for help stop immediately after a shot was fired? Why did he not follow the clear instruction of the 911 dispatcher?
What situation was so life-threatening in Zimmerman’s eyes to cause him to leave his car? How far away from Zimmerman’s car was the scene of the altercation and shooting? An armed man leaves his car to follow (pursue?) an unknown (suspicious?) boy who ends up dead.
If the Sanford Police have information that exonerates Zimmerman and implicates Martin, the department needs to release it, or arrest Zimmerman. It is that simple. No happy ending to this story is on the way.
But one thing remains true: If Zimmerman had waited in his car as instructed, Trayvon Martin would likely be alive today. The black community is protesting. But every other ethnicity should be equally concerned that justice prevail here.
For this father of black and white sons, complete disclosure from authorities cannot come too soon.
Michael S. Beates lives in Winter Park.
mikebeates 
Great, Mike! I’m so happy to see the found the value in printing it!
Having also raised black and white sons through the last almost 30 years, it continues to be discouraging to see the biases that remain within certain individuals in this country. (and world!)
In Delaware, where we reside, the case is just now becoming spoken of as a result of the news media. I guess this might be one of the reasons media is helpful!
I am so sad for Trayvon’s family and also for Mr. Zimmerman’s family. I am thankful too, that our Perfectly Righteous God is the final Judge and there will be no jury in eternity.
Well written article , Mike! Nice looking sons you have been blessed with!!