“What Happened The Night Trayvon Martin Died”

By: Greg Botelho

The CNN news article entitled, “What happened the night Trayvon Martin died,” written by Greg Botelho details the events that took place the night 17 year old Trayvon Martin lost his life by 28 year old George Zimmerman.  Told in a sequential order, there were a few observations vital to the make-up of this article along with the case in general.  Firstly, we see an act of disobedience.  George Zimmerman despite being ordered not to follow Trayvon, took it upon himself to do the opposite.  He consciously made the decision to take care of the situation as he saw best fit. Had he had chosen to listen; readers and observers are only left to assume that a life would have been spared.  Secondly, we transition into a state of obscurity.  No one is 100% certain as to who initiated the fight or argument that led to the killing of Trayvon.  It is unclear whose voice is calling for help.  The mere fact that there isn’t any hard core evidence or witnesses to what took place instantly poses as a major issue as the case then becomes ones sided. Lastly, we see the concept of racial profiling being questioned, “Martin’s family have said they believe Zimmerman, a white Hispanic, profiled the African-American teen.” Readers are once again left up in the air to formulate based on the evidence presented, what really took place on the night of February 26.   Lastly, we sense a lack of urgency or concern for the decease as Botelho notes that Zimmerman was “Subsequently arrested and, eventually, released on bail.”

“In America, Black Children Don’t Get to Be Children”

By: Stacy Patton

The opinion newsletter entitled, “In America, black children don’t get to be children,” plays on the idea of childhood and what it means for specifically black children. This article testifies to the unfortunate and unfair realities of black boys and girls, who in the eyes of the law are seen and treated differently than that of a child of the opposite race.  The Trayvon Martin case, the act of lynching, Post- Civil Rights, the Jim Crow Era, the findings of doctors and anthropologist and the killings of various black children, are all evidence geared towards the author’s, Stacy Patton, main point.  From the very beginning of her article and as the straight forward article progresses, it is clear that Patton’s main point is simply this, “Black America has again been reminded that its children are not seen as worthy of being alive.”