S. Samuel
After sparking awareness of Trayvon Martin's slaying through a viral movement, SOHH decided to reach out to Pittsburgh rapper Jasiri X for his take on shooter George Zimmerman's second-degree murder charge.
While not fully content with the charge, Jasiri said there is a lot more work needed before justice has been served.
“After 45 days of peaceful public pressure, I feel like we’ve taken the first step towards the possibility of getting justice for Trayvon and his family. The state of Florida was shamed into arresting and charging George Zimmerman, partly because their old boy network of privilege over personal responsibility was exposed,” Jasiri told SOHH through a statement. “This is by no means a time to celebrate. Not only do we have to remain vigilant in Trayvon’s case, we also want justice for Ramarley Graham, Rekia Boyd, Kenneth Chamberlain Sr., Kendrec McDade and the growing list of black and brown men and women killed by police or people “in authority”. Ultimately, we cannot rest until no one has to go through the pain of losing a loved one like the Martin family.” (SOHH)
Earlier in the day, Martin’s mother offered her take on the murder charge.
Trayvon Martin’s mother Sybrina Fulton told the TODAY show Thursday that she believes her son’s fatal shooting by George Zimmerman was an accident. “I believe it was an accident, I believe that it just got out of control and he couldn’t turn the clock back,” she said. “I would ask him, ‘Did he know that that was a minor, that that was a teenager and that he did not have a weapon?'” she added. Martin’s mom suggested that Zimmerman, who claims he killed Martin in self-defense, should apologize if he is remorseful. “One of the things that I still believe in: A person should apologize when they really — when they are actually remorseful for what they’ve done,” Fulton said. “I understand his family is hurting, but think about our family that lost our teenage son. I mean, it’s just very difficult to live with day in and day out. I’m sure his parents can pick up the phone and call him, but we can’t pick up the phone and call Trayvon anymore.” (MSNBC)
Yesterday (April 12), Zimmerman pleaded not guilty to the second-degree murder charge.
A handcuffed George Zimmerman, charged with killing unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin, appeared in court for the first time on Thursday and his lawyer said a not guilty plea was entered on his “frightened” client’s behalf. The neighborhood watch volunteer’s lawyer, Mark O’Mara, also said he wanted Zimmerman to be released on bond, but not until he could secure a safe place for him to stay while he faces murder charges in the February 26 killing of 17-year-old Martin in a quiet gated community in the central Florida town of Sanford. (Reuters)
Prior to an outpouring of support, Jasiri spoke to SOHH about wanting to see hip-hop speak up for the Martin family.
“Here you have one of the biggest hip-hop artists in Rick Ross and I would love to hear him. If we’re gangsters and bosses, why not speak to something [like this]? Rick Ross has power. This is the reality. He has power in hip-hop and the game. Especially in the state of Florida, they ride for him,” Jasiri X told SOHH. “Trayvon was from Miami. So I would love to call on him, not disrespectfully but respectfully, to say, ‘Man, Rick Ross, I think if you spoke and if the streets could get involved, to Trayvon and came to the rallies, it’d mean a lot. Put your movement toward getting justice for Trayvon.’ Kanye West, Jay-Z, a lot of people were down for Occupy Wall Street, I would love to hear them. It’s just because they have the loudest voices. They have millions of Twitter followers. That’s the reality. If they say it, it’s going to resonate with a lot more people than me just saying it.” (SOHH)
Check out Jasiri X’s Trayvon Martin freestyle below:
