This disturbing and unforgivable trend reared its
toxic head again during the trial of George Zimmerman, who killed an unarmed
juvenile in cold blood yet walked away with no punishment. Yet it seems the
majority of those demanding justice and expressing disappointment in the
outcome happened to share a similar skin tone to Trayvon Martin.
Where were people of conscience who are white? Where
were LGBT persons who – like Trayvon and all people of color – have long
endured a painfully negative and unfair strain of “profiling” in this country?
When Muslims, Jews, Hindus and other groups of
“minority” religions are targets of discrimination, where is the outcry from
other people of faith, notably Christians?
When people of color are unfairly targeted in acts
of discrimination, where are LGBT persons? Both groups have faced generations
of crippling discrimination in this nation, yet often fail to see the other’s
plight or at least neglect to express the slightest bit of empathy or
understanding for each other.
Where are self-professed, freedom-fighting men when
women face unfair gender-based discrimination in the workplace or our state
governments target women’s reproductive rights? Are they only concerned with
their own junk?
If we profess to abhor discrimination, unfair
profiling and stereotyping, and unequal treatment – whether it’s based on skin
color, gender, social-economic background, religion, sexuality, political
preference or any other similar marker – then why aren’t we all speaking out in
every case on behalf of every individual or group which is being unfairly
targeted?
Don’t pretend you’re carrying a banner - and
a conscience - for social justice and equality if you only speak out and take a
stand in a case in which the victim looks like you, shares your sexuality or
gender or adheres to your own religion. That’s little more than selfish,
unapologetic tribalism in its purest form, and you’re simply looking out for
yourself by way of a proxy.
Stand up and be counted. Speak out… and shout like
hell if needed. Do it in every case of injustice and discrimination or sit down
and shut up.
About the author: Joseph O. Patton is the
editor-in-chief and founder of the Capital City Free Press. He is a former news
editor for the Coosa County News, lead reporter for the Montgomery Independent
and editor-in-chief of the AUMnibus, the student newspaper of
Auburn-Montgomery. Patton is also the creator of and writer for the satirical
news radio segment "Goat Hill Gossip," which previously aired on WAUD
in Auburn, Alabama and has appeared on several Central Alabama radio programs
as a political analyst.
Copyright © Capital City Free Press
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