First, much respect to all the hard-working jurors in the recent trial of George Zimmerman for the killing of Trayvon Martin on 26 February 2012. We appreciate their service and the difficulty they must have faced when trying to strike a balance between the law as written and fairness to the accused. Which we now believe was virtually impossible!
Given the overall ambivalence caused by Florida’s insane “Stand Your Ground” law that was quietly entered into the convoluted jury instructions, though not claimed as a defense during the actual trial, as well as the other dark forces meant to subvert the truth, Justice clearly was not summoned in this trial. As leaving jurors to try to make sense out of nonsense never really works for all concerned, which is the essence of true justice.
And so a special thanks to Maddy, Juror B29, for having the courage to step up and answer the call for Justice after the trail! Despite their not guilty verdict, it was heartening to hear at least one of the jurors declare that “Zimmerman got away with murder”. Maddy also stated that, “even though in our hearts we felt he was guilty,” she “felt confused” and had to follow the law as read to her, which helps nonetheless.
Of course, for some who felt George Zimmerman was in fact quite guilty, it was too little too late, so to speak. While the rest of us, who also felt Zimmerman was guilty, likely were glad to take what we can get, at least for now. As the quest for justice for Trayvon Martin, his family and society in general is still underway!
Justice vs. Punishment
As to justice vs. punishment: Sadly these two elements in a criminal trial are often confused and confusing, particularly in the heart of many jurors. I know, as I’ve sat on a jury more than once. And each time, I’ve had to wonder how this is going to affect that defendant’s life. Of course, a juror should also weigh how this is going to affect society in general. Still, it’s tough, mainly in an adversarial system where opposing attorneys are virtually trained to win rather than help the juror or a judge seek the truth. Yet, we must try.
As a juror, my duty became easier once I got in touch with my innate belief that correction is far more constructive than a prescribed punishment. Knowing that everyone is destined to awaken and seek the truth eventually, this gave me a sense of hope rather than a sense of punishment for the defendant that naturally goes against our deepest humanity.
Of course, correction can seem like punishment, particularly if a criminal is sent to prison. While society must be protected from the dangers of criminality, still, with an emphasis on correction rather than punishment the inmate is more likely to find hope rather than despair, and ultimately resolve to change its grievous ways.
Actually, there are societies today, some quite ancient, who have scientifically worked this out and attempt, when possible, to guide their criminals toward correction rather than merely serving time. In Norway, for example, there exists a restorative justice with emphasis on restoring the criminal and others involved, when appropriate, and considered quite successful by many.
The Call for Justice
Lately, it seems, the matter of criminal justice in our society is slowly becoming more about declaring a wrong and holding the offender accountable rather than the archaic quest for trial and punishment. This, I believe is at the heart of Trayvon Martin’s parents, Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, and that of Miss Mamie so long ago, the mother of Emmett Till, my classmate, who was kidnapped and brutally murdered in the Summer of 1955.
Perhaps this is an indication that our society is growing up, though still experiencing growing pains. For without the official acknowledgement of a civil or a criminal wrong, our society will continue upholding the wrongs of the so-called privileged and never truly advance.
Thankfully, once again, much like in the 60s, Americans recognized the social dangers inherent in the Zimmerman verdict and hit the street marching, and not likely to give up until Justice for Trayvon is achieved. How that will look remains to be seen.
As the call for justice continues to reverberate throughout our well-ordered society, many more unjust issues will come to light, as in the 60s, and a New Civil Rights Movement will emerge; of course, this time it will consist of all Americans.
Oh, we are awake now and more determined than ever to realize a true United States of America where insanity in our government is restrained and Justice for all is alive and well.
Thus Justice never really sleeps, though at times it surly seemed that way.
So keep marching America. And do keep the Faith!
© 2012-2013 by Delores L Adams and The Aunt Jemimah Post. All rights reserved.
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