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Adrian Oseguera, 16, Merced
What did you think when you first heard the verdict for the Trayvon-Zimmerman trial?
I think it was stupid because even though Trayvon fought back, it was totally not his fault.
Do you think race played any part in the killing of Trayvon Martin or the trial?
Yes, because all of the jury was white and Trayvon was black. Black people are treated differently.
What message do you think this outcome sends to young people of color?
The message we get is that we are treated differently than white people.
Jessica Hernandez, 18, Compton
What did you think when you first heard the verdict for the Trayvon-Zimmerman trial?
I think that it’s really unfair because I think the whole case had to do with racism. I live around African-Americans and I know certain races usually treat them unfairly.
Do you think race played any part in the killing of Trayvon Martin or the trial?
Of course! Just by the fact that it was seven white women deciding the murder of one black kid.
What message do you think this outcome sends to young people of color?
I think it sends a bad message, which makes us youth of color fear for our rights.
Malanda Looper, 16, Merced
What did you think when you first heard the verdict for the Trayvon-Zimmerman trial?
I’m trusting that the jury was able to come to a good verdict considering they’re the only people who know all the facts. Although, since Trayvon was killed, I think Zimmerman should have been charged with manslaughter at least, unless the jury decided the shots were completely self-defense.
Do you think race played any part in the killing of Trayvon Martin or the trial?
Race definitely played a part because instead of a case where Zimmerman tried to defend himself it was a case of him killing Trayvon because he was [supposedly] racist, which wasn’t necessarily true.
What message do you think this outcome sends to young people of color?
I don’t really think it sends any message. My close friend, Greg, an African-American, is unaffected by this and doesn’t seem to care.
Cora Riley, 18, Riverbank
What did you think when you first heard the verdict for the Trayvon-Zimmerman trial?
I think it was a hard case because only Trayvon knew what he had and he wasn’t there to defend himself because he was killed. I think Zimmerman should have been found guilty of murder or at least of manslaughter.
Do you think race played any part in the killing of Trayvon Martin or the trial?
I do think race played a part in the case because there wouldn’t be such uproar if Trayvon was a white boy.
What message do you think this outcome sends to young people of color?
I think the case tells young people that they shouldn’t be out past dark and that they should make smarter choices.
Anonymous, 16, Pheonix, AZ
What did you think when you first heard the verdict for the Trayvon-Zimmerman trial?
I think it was a complete injustice. They are limiting the evidence that the jury received.
Do you think race played any part in the killing of Trayvon Martin or the trial?
Maybe by half the jury, but I think mostly the media is circulating around the race issue. Maybe there are facts we don’t know but yeah, race played a small part.
What message do you think this outcome sends to young people of color?
That your fate will be decided partially by what you do and mostly by your skin color.
Llianna Grajepa, 18, Merced
What did you think when you first heard the verdict for the Trayvon-Zimmerman trial?
Well, I don’t think its fair. He was on the phone with a 911 operator, didn’t listen to their instructions and ended up killing a 17-year old.
Do you think race played any part in the killing of Trayvon Martin or the trial?
In the trial, no, Zimmerman wasn’t fully white. Although I think the fact that Trayvon was African-American had something to do with it.
What message do you think this outcome sends to young people of color?
I’m not sure they feel as safe as they should, like if the same thing happened to them, they wouldn’t get justice either.
Skylar Francise, 20, Merced
What did you think when you first heard the verdict for the Trayvon-Zimmerman trial?
I thought it was highly debatable, but either way you put it, Zimmerman killed an unarmed kid who was much smaller than him and that’s way wrong, especially when you compare the case of Marissa Alexander, a black woman from the same state who fired warning shots at her husband. The fact Zimmerman got nothing for unjustly killing someone and a black woman got 20 years for not killing an actual aggressor blows my mind.
Do you think race played any part in the killing of Trayvon Martin or the trial?
I think it did. Everyone made it look race related, a white guy shooting a black young man, but Zimmerman is half white and half Hispanic. It also makes us as a society have to rethink our stereotypes. Many people feel threatened by black males in hoodies at night, and I think that just comes from how the media portrays gangs and violence. I think we all need to look ard at that. I do think racism played a role in the verdict, but that being said, I don’t know the race of the jury and judge.
What message do you think this outcome sends to young people of color?
I think it sends the message that in America it’s incredibly tough to outlive a stereotype. It’s gonna take a lot from all of us as a society to stop feeling threatened and stop portraying black males as aggressors because right now, what it comes down to is even if you have a heart of gold, if you’re tall, if you’re a different color, if you’re wearing a hoodie at night, people are going to stereotype you and feel threatened. That’s not going to change until everyone can let go of their preconceived notions of what criminals look like and just give everyone a chance.
