by Joanne Diaz-Koegl ~
There is outrage over the tragic death of Trayvon Martin and for me this brings up a number of issues that need to be examined by all of us. Florida’s "Stand Your Ground" law has to be re-evaluated and redefined; why does civilian member of a Neighborhood Watch have an armed weapon? Who is George Zimmerman, and why does he deserve more justice than Trayvon did? Primarily we as a nation must take a hard look at our biases and fears, the prejudices and assumptions that still permeate our culture in the year 2012.
It saddens me that a child, only 17 years old, was killed for "causing fear" to an obviously overzealous, would-be cop looking for some recognition or is Zimmerman simply and vilely a racist? This tragedy has stunned many people, but as a person of color myself (Hispanic), this situation did not surprise me. I am a psychotherapist who works with diverse groups of individuals and their stories raised my social consciousness as I am hoping the tragic death of Trayvon Martin will increase awareness to many who thought racism did not exist. I also teach grad students at Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena, California and for years this school’s mission statement is to educate and address issues of social justice, bias, and the realities of persons of color. I have had students of color talk about their personal, very painful experiences. I am continually educated by my students on the atrocities faced by many because of skin color, dress, and/or accent. Parents with teen sons share the fears they face everyday their sons step out of their home. I was surprised to hear the conversations these parents say they have early on with their children about "being different" and "being black you are a target." At first I believed this kind of thinking perpetuated racial discrimination and divide the country but once I heard their stories, I understood their "reality." I was given the gift of raising my consciousness and being able to educate others through my awareness.
Prior to being enlightened I lived or perhaps wanted to live in my own naiveté; I did not quite understand how someone walking down the street minding their own business could be harassed. I wanted to believe that we were all equal. All my life I’ve been told "you don’t look Hispanic." I realized there was bias in the comments made to me: saying "you don’t look like one," invariably begs the question "well, what does one look like?" Was I more privileged because I looked white? I think I didn’t want to believe such suspicion and fear existed in this "modern" age, but it does. I had a 17 year old male client share with me that he was walking down the street with a Hispanic friend, both of them with skate boards when a cop stopped the Hispanic young man to ask him where he got the skate board. My "white" client was not questioned and told to mind his own business as they took information from his friend. This got me to ask my brother questions and I was surprised to hear how he was stopped by a police officer for having a nice car and asked if that was his car. My brother, who at the time was in his 30’s, clean cut, a personal trainer with a clean police record, could only ascertain that this police acted out of profiling because he looks Hispanic.
Simone Weil, a philosopher and social activist in the 1930’s cited "someone who does not see a pane of glass, does not know that she does not see it." This is precisely the curse of many people who do not understand others’ reality when it has nothing to do with them. If there is any positive outcome to come from Trayvon’s death, perhaps it is bringing awareness to people who have not experienced discrimination or the realities that many people have not been so privileged. I hope this gets people to look at themselves, try to look through that pane of glass and take inventory of our own bias.
My intent to write this article is to elevate the conversation about the "realities" people of color have known all their lives and Trayvon is only one example of many others left untold. I was hearing a renowned African American lawyer on a news show last night who said he walked into a store wearing a hoodie and was followed around the store. Sadly, his education, his humanity, his status does not show, it is only color.
Heated debates are occurring since this horrible incident and I sense people are taking a hard look at themselves and the blinders they lived with just as I did years ago. The "Million Hoodie March" was attended by culturally diverse supporters, great activists of all colors who see that pane and want the world to not tolerate continued fear due to ignorance.
My wish is that the conversation continues in a positive, productive manner resulting in promising outcomes and that the divisive comments being said by certain people does not divide us further. We cannot live in a bubble, let us educate and bring awareness to people that are not necessarily racist but oblivious to other people’s plight. Trayvon and his family deserve to get answers. George Zimmerman must be investigated and, as said by Trayvon’s mother Sybrina Fulton, "we must stand up for justice and for what is right."
More Information:
Joanne Diaz-Koegl is psychotherapist with a private Practice in Pasadena, California. She specializes in couples therapy, communication skills and addiction. Joanne also is the After Care Producer on Dr. Drew's Life Changers Show. Visit her website at: www.jkoegl4therapy.com
Source: http://www.PopularArticles.com/article412214.html
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