Remember when the presidential candidacy of Barack Obama was going to usher in a new “post-racial” era in American politics? It was obvious at the time that that was a pipe dream, but it’s remarkable how much the U.S. discourse on race has actually gone backward–as illustrated by Fox News personality Geraldo Rivera’s comments on the killing of Trayvon Martin.
Appearing on Fox & Friends (3/23/12), Rivera asserted that the 17-year-old’s attire was as much to blame for his death as the person who shot him: “I am urging the parents of black and Latino youngsters particularly to not let their children go out wearing hoodies,” Rivera declared. “I think the hoodie is as much responsible for Trayvon Martin’s death as George Zimmerman was.”
He followed this up with a defense of stereotyping, suggesting that it has a rational basis:
When you see a kid walking down the street, particularly a dark-skinned kid like my son Cruz…. What do they think? What’s the instant identification, what’s the instant association?… It’s those crime scene surveillance tapes. Every time you see someone sticking up a 7-11, the kid is wearing a hoodie.
This kind of prejudice is not only universal, Rivera seemed to be arguing, but understandable and acceptable–not just against hoodie-wearing youth, but youth of color in general: “When you see a black or Latino youngster, particularly on the street, you walk to the other side of the street. You try to avoid that confrontation.”
Later, in an op-ed on FoxNews.com (3/23/12), Rivera clarified that it was only dark-skinned young males who are wearing hooded sweatshirts who are the subject of this unanimous disdain and/or fear:
No one black, brown or white can honestly tell me that seeing a kid of color with a hood pulled over his head doesn’t generate a certain reaction, sometimes scorn, often menace.
When you see that kid coming your way, unless you specifically recognize him you are thinking ghetto or ghetto wannabe high-style or low-brow wise-ass. Pedestrians cross the street to avoid black or brown hoodie-wearers coming their way.
Rivera is from New York City, so you’d think he’d be aware that people of all races who live there walk by each other all the time wearing all sorts of clothing without anyone ever crossing the street; indeed, you’d soon be run over if you stepped into traffic every time you saw someone a hoodie coming at you. His “advice” seems to be aimed at people to whom encountering someone from a different ethnicity is an unfamiliar experience–someone like a lot of Fox News viewers, to judge from their online comments on the Trayvon Martin case.
Think this has anything to do with the solidarity shown at rallies by
wearing a hoodie?
*What* network was this on?
FoxNews needs to fire Gerardo. It’s way overdue.
Rivera ought to bring up the whole history — criminals hide their faces all the time but only get in trouble when they’re non-whites or lost their use to Power. Glenn Beck’s chalkboard act tracing the “Communist” (read: Jewish) money was a half-serious dig at this reality. The fascist doubt over the nation’s child-rearing is especially disconcerting.
This reminds me of J. Cooper’s observations on Modernism. The modern world, especially the city, makes us all cold and anonymous in some way. Be anonymous, don’t stand out, don’t identify as something, respect the fear, don’t challenge it, stay in your place, Little Man. Combine this with the spirit of the age: wars, national emergencies, depressions, and all the other multiplying uncertainties that result in a lack of control and you get a formula for disaster. It’s the media’s most profitable spectacle, they are simply not allowed to stop it. What is hiding, isolated or anonymous, but one big “Yes, Sir, I’m a Little Man” to the dominating classes?
In a way, what Rivera is really saying, in his awful short-sightedness, is he was breaking the racist traditions of style (as the blog Lenin’s Tomb pointed out), and being a bad machine, so he “is equally responsible.” There is an obvious justification for the hoodie: Mr. Trayvon was under punishment from his school, he would definitely feel either the need to be nobody, or to withdraw into himself. He would probably have said to Rivera’s face were he alive, “I was trying to blend in.”
>> Rivera seemed to be arguing, but understandable and acceptable
Hardly, Geraldo’s comments were mild and reasonable, meant to be positive and helpful. Who cares what Geraldo says anyway, except to mischaracterize it in some kind of racial way. Hoodies are great as articles of informal clothing, but they do allow someone to hide their face and are associated with crime and gangsterism. That’s part of why some seem to like to wear them. Who cares, wear a hoodie or not, but if you are a parent and you would want to do everything you can to help your kid be safe you might want to have a talk about hoodies, at least outside in public.
> “I think the hoodie is as much responsible for Trayvon Martin’s death as George Zimmerman was.”
Riiight… just as the clothing a rape victim was wearing is as much responsible for her rape as the rapist. Good one, Geraldo, really good.
Rivera is clearly just trying to blame the victim. Also, the advice to refrain from wearing a hoodie if your skin is dark because it will scare white people and they might shoot you seems silly since this kind of thing is quite rare. Now, if he said you shouldn’t wear a hoodie because it might make the police more likely to hassle you, then he might have a point (I don’t know, but it seems a lot more likely than a vigilante shooting you).
Anyone who can argue and make excuses here for the killing of someone’s kid needs to grow up. We’re talking about the death of someone’s child — who was unarmed and walking in the neighborhood where he lived. The chairman who prevented Rep. Rush from speaking to draw attention to this situation because he had a sweatshirt on is a pathetic coward. I’m sure that some cowardly people elected him in their own image.
Personally, I would rather be part of the solution instead of participate in mass cowardice. How much does America’s sad excuse for “freedom” mean? An elected official is trying valiantly to make a point about the unnecessary slaughter of one of our country’s young people — and he can’t talk because he has a sweatshirt on? Our sorry excuse for representation show their true colors in preventing him from talking over a hood.
El pobre Geraldo…life just hasn’t been the same for him since he opened Al Capone’s empty vaults. Such a traumatic experience has obviously pushed him over the edge unto the dark side of perdition (a/k/a the Right Wing).
It surprises me that no one wants to talk about a major problem in this country–RACISM. It has become much more obvious and pronounced since Barack Obama took office. This incident in Florida sounds like a cold blooded murder to me. The killer was told by the police NOT to follow Trayvon! And, neighborhood watch organizations do not allow weapons or assault. When Zimmerman made his report to 911, that was the END of his “job”–that is why they call it “Neighborhood WATCH”. YOU WATCH AND REPORT ANY “SUSPICIOUS” ACTIVITY”. The police authorities are supposed to take it from that point on! The racial slur heard in the 911 tape, makes this a HATE CRIME–pure and simple–time to go to trial.
Brux wrote: Who cares, wear a hoodie or not, but if you are a parent and you would want to do everything you can to help your kid be safe you might want to have a talk about hoodies, at least outside in public.
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So living in a society where you gotta talk to your children about what they wear so they’re not shot by paranoid vigilantes is OK with you? I guess it’s true what the Onion wrote: Stereotypes– a real time-saver.
How ’bout instead we get the paranoid vigilantes to open their narrow little minds and stop judging books by their covers? Or maybe at least have them leave confrontation to the pro’s?
first off geraldo, white racists have been killing blacks and other non-whites long before there was such a thing as a hoodie. and my second comment is that the Black Panthers used to say “arm yourself or harm yourself ” black people have forgotten their history and that is why it keeps reapeating. when the black man finally stands up organized with arm in hand, then and only then will the devil get the message. the only thing the devil respects is strength. just ask the viet cong or the taliban!
This whole thing is a sad tragedy…but it is really about the Hoodie – Hoodies prevent cameras used for race recognition from working properly.
I meant FACE recognition. Sorry.
A BLACK MIAMI WRITER , PITTS HAS GONE SO FAR AS TO LABEL ZIMMERMAN AS A WHITE HISPANIC. DOES THIS MEAN THAT OBAMA SHOUD BE LABELED AS A BLACK KENYON? OR IS THE MEDIA PLAYING A ONE WAY RACE CARD? THEY PUBLISHED PICTURES OF TRAYWON AS AN 8 YEAR OLD, NEVER SAYING THAT HE HAD GROWN TO 6 FOOT TALL. THE PUBLISHED PICTURES OF ZIMMERMAN 40 POUNDS HEAVIER. PROTRAYING HIM AS
A MUCH LARGER ARMED STALKER. WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO UNBIASED REPORTING. OH, I REMEMER. SOME OF THE REPORTERS WERE WHITE.
Re; Geraldo’s comment, “…Pedestrians cross the street to avoid black or brown hoodie-wearers coming their way…”
Geraldo actually has a point here, accidental though it be. We really can’t do anything about narrow minded, racist, and ignorant attitudes some have towards other people. If some folks feel they need to cross to the other side of the street for whatever reason, that is THEIR problem and right. IF ONLY that had been the response in THIS case! I find it to be increasingly frustrating every time there is a senseless murder or death involving a gun- there is too often way too much energy and time spent blaming the cause on EVERYTHING but the obvious-the death was a result of being shot by a gun. Reasonable people, regardless of philosophy or narrow minded attitudes, can and should walk away when they find themselves in an uncomfortable position. Reasonable people do not follow someone who makes them uncomfortable and shoot them dead. And, if Zimmerman had followed orders from the 911 operator (as any reasonable person would have done), had walked away (as any reasonable person would have done), and not been carrying a gun (as any reasonable person would not have been), chances are that Trayvon would be alive today. It’s NOT about the hoodie! By the way, Geraldo wears a hoodie all the time, as do many others of all stripes.
The author writes, “His ‘advice’ seems to be aimed at people to whom encountering someone from a different ethnicity is an unfamiliar experience–”
Perhaps this is so, but I think his advice was aimed at people who find themselves not on a bustling city street, but rather on a secluded and dark street. Context is everything here. Most people on a busy city street won’t be apprehensive about other hoodie-donning pedestrians. But a lone person on a secluded street or in a dark parking lot will rightfully be anxious about a suspicious-looking person (hoodie or no) in the same location. It’s all context.
Gerbaldo is a sick, sick man. Not only is he a screaming racist, he’s a self-hating Latino. You don’t get much more pathetic than that. Someone needs to put him out of his misery and fire him, with prejudice.
This sad story touches on so many things.I heard Rev Jackson say he was walking in Washington at night when he heard steps fast approaching behind him.Turning he saw two well dressed white men and relaxed.Then he realized what he had just done and felt ashamed.Yes racism does exist in that story.But it does point to a salient point.Young black men in face covering hoodie’s are doing no one any favors.Including and primarily themselves.Same thing with pants hanging low- asses and underwear hanging out.What it represents in regard to a thug life, and it’s mindless violence, is all too well known.
Now in regard to what happened….My guess is Mr Zimmerman( a wanna be cop) was “patrolling”this area acting like he was some kind of vigilante super hero.He carried a gun and that made him feel protected.He was out doing a job he had no reason to be doing with little or no training to do it.This was a recipe for disaster.He followed the kid and I think the kid turned on him and started beating the piss out of him.Then Mr Zimmerman shot him.BUT this is a guess.If the kid was shot in the back,or from 20 feet,or a credible witness saw enough to gain perspective…..We must wait for the case to develop.
Of course the black panthers putting a bounty out on mr Zimmerman deserve to be crushed underfoot by this standing president and his justice dept.Obamas silence toward them is startling.Spike lee is an idiot and should be brought under charges.
“Spike lee is an idiot and should be brought under charges.”
uh…..no
(AP) — An elderly couple has reached a settlement with Spike Lee after the pair said they had to leave their Florida home after the director help spread a Twitter posting listing their address as that of the man who shot an unarmed teen.
The couple’s attorney, Matt Morgan, announced the settlement Thursday. Morgan says Lee called them to apologize for retweeting their address. Specifics of the settlement weren’t disclosed.
Elaine and David McClain are in their 70s and say they have a son named William George Zimmerman, who lived in their Sanford area home in the mid-1990s. They say he is no relation to 28-year-old George Zimmerman.
“At this point in time, we have come to an agreement with Spike Lee and his attorneys, and at this point, the matter is fully resolved,” Morgan said. “Spike has agreed to compensate the McClains for their loss and for the disruption into their lives. He’s taken full responsibility.”
Morgan added that Lee also called the McClains to apologize personally.
“He was really kind,” Elaine McClain said. “And when he called us, you could just tell he really felt bad about it. And it was just a slip, and I just know that he really, really has been concerned.”
Thanks for that, P. Ness. Now compare that imbecile Rivera and his Limbaugh-like apology to the circumspection of Spike Lee. My stock in Lee went way down after I heard about his dumb remarks, and then they went right back up (way up) when he Did The Right Thing.
I think we should start profiling white people based on wearing a shirt an tie. I suspect that has a more rational basis.
Well done spike lee.Im glad you apologized to that poor couple and made amends.Now the only question I have is …..would you be sorry if your target DID live there?Because you friggin moron it is not your job to be judge and jury and help the black Panthers set up a hit on a man(not even charged yet alone convicted) they have a bounty out on.That action has legal ramifications.Deep ramifications that go to the attorney general far beyond a class action suit for a couple you inconvenienced.A man helping to set up a hit who apologizes to the man who’s toe he stepped on is all well and good but really beside the point.And Tim you Neanderthal- comparing Rush’s name calling and subsequent apology to a possible murder is stupid even for you.Spike should be brought up on charges for his actions.He has no right to use his fame to release information that could help set up attacks ON ANYONE.Period.if a white supremacist group(or Rush Limbaugh) Released address records of blacks they felt needed an attitude adjustment(or worse) Im sure this would be clearly understood…and charges brought.Where is his apology to the real George Zimmerman who is INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY!!!!!
michael e wrote: “a class action suit for a couple you inconvenienced.”
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A class of two people?
Sorry John and thanx for the correction.Of course that was incorrect.Got my “Cs”mixed up.I meant to say civil trial.
I live in an integrated neighborhood in Jersey City, NJ. I am a small white woman who often takes public transportation. I see African American, Latino, White kids and in fact kids of all ethnicities from all over the world, wearing hoodies with the hood up — on a daily basis. Do I flip out in terror of them? Give me a break. A big man, armed with a gun, unable to control himself to the point of shooting an unarmed teenager? He needs to get out from in front of his TV set and meet some real people. He also needs a manhood transplant, if you ask me.
auspiciousbunny
Take care of yourself.You sound a bit too unconcerned about certain realities we must all live with today.You did not say where in jersey you lived.If it is Camden… you need to read crime statistics.Look a hoodie can just be something you put on to stay warm.On a 107 degree day it can be taken as a warning that someone might be hiding their features(the reason thug life loves them)When Im in north Dakota in winter I wear a thermo mask.It gets that cold.Walking into a bank in Philadelphia in June could raise some alarms.Lets not be coy.It is what it is.As far as this case lets wait for all the evidence to come in ,and him to be judged by his peers.That is the way we do it.
Update on Geraldo
Geraldo Rivera had Trayvon Martin‘s parents on his show on April 1 and said that his recent offensive comments regarding their son weren’t intended to hurt anyone. Geraldo is referring to his comments on Fox News on March 23 in which he said Trayvon’s hoodie made him a target for neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman.
“What I was trying to do was caution parents allowing kids to wear hoodies or similar clothing in certain circumstances, particularly if they were minority young men could be dangerous,” Geraldo says. “But I never intended to hurt anyone’s feelings and certainly Sybrina and Tracy, I never intended to hurt your feelings. I want to personally convey my deepest apologies to both of you. I am sorry, Tracy, if anything I said added to your misery.”Â
Trayvon’s father Tracy Martin said that he accepted the apology but still found the comment about the hoodie to be ridiculous.
“Your apology is accepted. Let me just add one thing with the wearing of the hoodie,” he says. “I don’t think America knows that, in fact, at the time of the incident when he initially made the call, it was raining. So Trayvon had every right to have on his hood. He was protecting himself from the rain. So if being a suspicious, walking in the rain with your hoodie on is a crime, then I guess the world is doing something wrong.”Â
Good on Geraldo for having the courage to have them on his show for the apology (a real one this time) and thanks to Mr. Martin for not letting the whole ridiculous thing go. He seemed to sense that this kind of “closure” could be used to gloss over the outrageous bullshit about clothing that still animates Rightwing justifications for assault and murder.
No Tim not “good enough”.Not by a long shot.Come on remember what it is to be on the left.Now is the time to really gear up to destroy Geraldo.Civil action lawsuits.Attack him in every way you know how.Even if it takes 10-15 years.There is no forgiveness on the left.Just judgement, and then organize to destroy the offender.After he is gone (or dead)the real attacks can begin.Move on to his family and friends.Forever is a long time except if you are a lib.
@michael e: WTF are you talking about in your last post? Who is suing Geraldo? What are these 10-15 year long plans to destroy him and his family? How is Tim’s “good on Geraldo” even remotely an attack?
What in God’s holy name are you blathering about?
John i was being sarcastic pointing to that kind of thought process being a liberal one.Never forgive…never forget….never give an inch…..When Obama leaves office(this November) I would love to have a beer with him sometime and watch March madness with him if ever given the chance.How many libs feel that way about George Bush four years after?Never forgive…..never forget…….never give an inch.Look for opportunity for revenge.Hatred
As the grandmother of a darker teenager I agree with Rivera and tell my grandson not to walk through strange neighborhoods after dark with a hoodie on! I also tell this to my lighter complected grandchild, it is just common sense. As we all see almost daily the young criminals (white , black , hispanic etc. ) mostly wear hoodies to conceal their identity. Now comes the sad fact … pertaining to New Orleans and perhaps other neighborhoods… most young criminals are dark skinned. I’m sure this also contributed to the suspicion in that neighborhood where Zimmerman functioned as a neighborhood watchman. Neighborhood watches usually come into existence after a series of burgleries. People are desperate .