Friday, 19 July 2013

How To Take Action After Zimmerman Verdict

By Vanessa Jones


For those of us who are not American, George Zimmerman's acquittal could give an added sense of helplessness.

While we feel rage and discomfort, the truth that the judgment is not in our justice system could leave us feeling that we have no opportunity for action.

Below, nevertheless, are some things Canadians can do.

1) Inform ourselves about the prison system in Canada.

Canadians frequently feel that injustice against Black people/people of color is restricted to the South/Texas/Florida. Canada locks up some of the greatest varieties of people in the Western World and those numbers are expanding. Enlighten yourself and others about Harper's policies in the justice system. Advocate around prisoners' rights.

2) Proponent for neighborhood justice-- and I mean real area justice, not bike deputies.

We know the justice system does not serve our demands, so why are we leaving the defense of our areas up to the authorities? White vigilantism is excused while we accept the lack of justice services for which we pay taxes.

Find out about true transformative justice. Run rites-of-passage programs. Get senior citizens to intervene. Educate communities about how we can secure and support our own families and neighbors. Work to refurbish and not penalize.

If we stand against the criminalization of Black youth we have to end our complicity with the systems that criminalize them.

3) Support criminal offense victims.

Many of us feel sympathy for Trayvon's mom but desert the moms in our own neighborhoods or blame them for how they raised their kids. Pay attention to crime sufferers. Support their have to be heard. Do not sweep abuse under the rug. Work in our areas to provide healing. If you are enraged about Trayvon however don't support kid victims of the Nova Scotia House for Colored Children, ask yourself why some children are expendable. If we cannot support victims in our own communities, then the options provided by the justice system will never ever give us recovering.

4) Supporter for youth rights in our own areas.

People are rightly shocked that a grown guy can stalk and eliminate a child, yet numerous of us keep policies that strip kids of their rights and voices and leave kids susceptible to violence in our houses and areas. Children are typically subject to physical violence in their own homes, which is supported since they lack the rights of adults to physical integrity, firm and power. Proponent with and for youth for the rights of children to be dealt with as equals with dignity. Los Angeles Attorneys

5) Work to empower kids and youth in our own communities.

We have the power and resources to inform, prepare and sustain our kids. Why are we leaving their education to institutions and companies without their best interests at heart? We don't need government money to run activities, courses, tutoring, sports, songs, and so on for our youth. Commit to taking some time to work with youth.

6) Inform ourselves and our kids about bigotry.

Yes, it is very important to tell children they can follow their dreams. However we likewise should provide them info that secures them. This case revealed us racism isn't really over, so let's stop being frightened to tell the truth to children, leaving them prone and confused. Teaching about bigotry likewise implies instructing them Black Power concepts. Don't pretend race does not exist for them; offer them the knowledge to comprehend themselves.

7) Remember we are not hopeless or reliant.

This is a 400+ year resistance. Stop being obsequious, and enlighten, act and work in our communities for empowerment. Spend our cash with Black companies. Construct Black programs. Stop accepting platitudes. Stop believing the fight is over. Get out in our neighborhoods, in the streets, wherever, and fight for our right to be human.

8) When they want us dead our important resistance is to live and live strongly, with function.

Keep enduring. Stop being ashamed to be Black in public. Stop trying to assimilate and live your life, because that's exactly what they despise to see.




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