“Why Trayvon?”
Dr. Lillie Fears and students in her "Public Opinion, Propaganda and Mass Media" class will host a panel discussion about "Why Trayvon?" on 6-8 p.m. Thursday, April 5, in the Student Union.
The panel will focus on the perils of stereotyping, with much emphasis on the Trayvon Martin case down in Florida.
While much of the panel will focus on issues surrounding the recent Trayvon Martin case, panelists and participants will discuss a few other high profile cases dealing with stereotyping (Linsanity—Jeremy Lin; remarks by presidential candidates about the poor and African Americans; remarks made about Christians--Tebow, etc.).
We can all grow from a healthy discussion.
This was my first time attending a panel such as this. To be honest, it was the first panel I’ve ever attended, so my thoughts on how it would go were kind of in going around in my head. I didn’t have prior knowledge of the whole Trayvon Martin case, and I could tell you why from watching the panel, and that was mainly due to media. I saw no trace of the case being mentioned, at least to my experience. I liked the opinions of the panelists; they were stuff I could agree with. The one opinion that blew me away was from A.O. Byles, when he said that loving a race would make you racist. I wouldn’t necessarily say that, because you could love another race other than your own, thus making you racist against your own race, or I could be interpreting that whole message in the wrong way. From the whole panel, I got the major message in hand, that is to respect everyone, despite color. While this may seem like an easy task, it takes time to work out. It took years for blacks to be accepted in America, and yet they’re still being discriminated to this day. I hope we can do something about this soon. I don’t want to single out anyone because of color. We could be missing on some people that could be a key to moving our society forward.
ReplyDeleteTonight I attended the panel discussion “Why Trayvon?” hosted by Dr. Lillie Fears and her “Public Opinion, Propaganda and Mass Media” class. There were many well-presented thoughts and opinions. There was one specific thought I took note of. A young man in the audience said, “Don’t judge me by the color of my skin, but the content of my character.” That spoke to me because that is exactly how I feel. I do not mean myself personally, but all people in general. I feel that if we all quit stereotyping and start actually getting to know one another we would fare much better. The title of tonight’s discussion was “Why Trayvon?” and I think that’s an excellent question. Why Trayvon? What was it about this one young man that is different? There are shootings everyday and they do not get this much media attention. Instead of focusing on race, we should focus on the fact that Zimmerman shot and killed Trayvon Martin. Race shouldn’t be the issue; we have to quit being so reactive to it. If we’d get to know one another on a one-on-one basis we wouldn’t react this way. The fact that we could all get together and have that discussion showed that we’ve already made a lot of progress. We just need to continue to be the bridge builders for the people behind us so that one day we can just see unique individuals from all walks of life and not just their race or ethnicity.
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ReplyDeleteWe attended a panel “Why Trayvon?” hosted by Dr. Fears tonight. Professors and students showed their opinions about or beyond this particular case. I also have something to say and some questions to ask. First, we all know media can’t decide what people will think but can guide what people will think about. So one reason of “Why Trayvon?” is media give so much space to get and keep people’s attention. Second, talk about Media; all we know about this case are from media, so how much we know about this case so far? Why we believe what we believed? Do we find enough evidence to prove what we are supporting for? Maybe we should think about it a little bit before we judge everything. There is no doubt Trayvon was victim, but maybe Zimmerman will become the next victim if we can’t calm down. Third, if Trayvon was not African American, he belonged to other races, will this case become this big? I don’t think so. So people concerned about this case because of it is about racial discrimination or it is about Trayvon is a black boy?
DeleteAfrican American people are always portrayed by the media on TV or movies as violent, aggressive. When I came to the United States the first time, I was afraid of African-American people, to be honest. Because we see too much from movies that black people are dangerous.
ReplyDeleteShootings are common in American society today because American people have the right to own an arm. In China even most of the policemen don’t have a gun, so don’t even talk about our citizens. Before I came to the United States, I know there are some campus shootings happened in the United States from China Central Television, so my parents told me safety is the first. They worried about me of being robbed or killed.
After I came here, I found that it is different from what we see in movies, African-American people are friendly and warm-hearted, sometimes black people are more friendly than white people, so I told my parents to change that stereotype about black people.
Professor Combs said that we look too much at appearance. African-American people are always judged by their appearances. From this panel and my 2 years stay in the United States, I would like to say, never just judge people from their skins.
I hope we can have more similar activities in the future because it really helps me to get to know more about the American Culture.
Tonight’s panel discussion “Why Trayvon?” really hit close to home. As an African-American male, I know what it feels like to be racially profiled and stereotyped. The panel did an excellent job assessing and evaluating racial and stereotypical situations that are encountered by many people. The main subject that impacted the night (in my opinion) was appearance. According to one of the panelists, people make assumptions based on how they look. In the case of Trayvon Martin, George Zimmerman assumed that because he (Trayvon) was black and wearing a hoodie that he didn’t belong and was trying to cause harm. Contrary to Zimmerman’s belief, that was not the case. Granted, Zimmerman was in the wrong. But, I can’t help but wonder; what if Trayvon never put his hood on? What if he never started running? As African-Americans, do we often place ourselves in stereotypical predicaments? Though it’s unfair, a lot of times we as African-Americans may have to psychologically adjust ourselves in order to pacify the preconceived racial insecurities of others. For example, it’s “common black knowledge” not to have your hands in your pockets while in the store in order to prevent the assumption that you are stealing; also, not standing next to a white person “too closely” while they are in the checkout line to pacify the idea of stealing and as a way of being less threatening is another example. Tonight’s discussion made me realize and recall the racial stereotypes that plague our society and it has also made me more consciously aware of this problem and how the only way to stop it is to get to know a person before making a judgment.
ReplyDeleteI would say the main theme and possible conclusion of the panel was the fact that the problem of racism can only be fixed by our individual decisions and attitudes. I agree with this. It is important that we individually make sure we accept people for who they are no matter what their race is. We should not make assumptions and conclusions about people without getting to know them first. However, I think it’s important to remember that there are murders like this every day that may not get as much attention as the Trayvon case has. I’m sure the same type of situation has happened before between people of the same race, yet it would not have gotten as much attention as this case has. Racism is a terrible thing, but so is murder and killing, and these are happening everyday. I think we should keep this in perspective and not belittle other murders that happen on a normal basis. I think the concluding points of the panel were very good in talking about how we need to individually examine ourselves, and not stereotype people. It’s a shame that this is done so much in our country today. There are so many things in our country that could be changed for the better, and change starts with each of us individually.
ReplyDeleteBy Marissa Dedner, April 5, 11:41 p.m.
ReplyDelete"The "Why Trayvon?" forum was very enlightening for me. I enjoyed hearing opinions other than my own about this very tragic case. I respect every opinion that was spoken, but one opinion from Sandra Combs really touched me. When she said that we should not always blame the media for the way events are publicized it really made me think. I know for a fact that when I pick up a newspaper or watch the television, I am more engaged in a story about murder or violence happening in my city than about someone donating money to an organization that does positive things for the community. That is just what the people are interested in. Like we are learning in News Writing class, you have to write or broadcast the things that people want to know. Another topic that made me think was the topic of us as black people stereotyping one another. I believe that until we stop judging one another, we cannot expect people of other races to stop judging us. I believe that this is something we all should consider, no matter what race we are, before we play the blame game."
My blog entry: Tonight was my first panel discussion. I was amazed/inspired by the students' responses. Racism is one of the worst problems we face in our society today. As a white person, most people don't associate us as being victims of racial stereotyping. I was really glad that the issue was addressed tonight. Everyone has experienced racism in some kind of way throughout our lives. Tonight's discussion highlighted different cases, especially the one of Trayvon Martin, throughout history that have dealt with racial stereotyping. Since coming to ASU, my best friends here are all black, I have seen the issues they've faced, and even faced some myself by being the only white person in the group. I think in order for our society to change the way we see each other and judge each other we have to stop judging people based on first impressions and looks, but by what's on the inside. Our world has already changed so much, and we are definitely on the fast track to the end of racism. Though it probably won't happen in my lifetime, panel discussions like the one tonight are a progress, to a more equal and less profiling society regardless of race, gender, religion, etc.
ReplyDeleteEmily Alexander, April 6, 2:36 a.m.
It is important that conversations regarding issues like these are
ReplyDeletefrequent in our community. Unfortunately, it is very sad that it takes
an atrocious crime to bring the conversation to an open forum. We need
to learn and respect one another. All human beings are different. It
is our differences that make us unique and special. It is important to
learn that the 17-year-old that lost his life will never the
opportunity to say his side of the story. If society starts to
communicate more efficiently, and breaks down the "taboo" topic of
race, there is a possibility that things might get better. If people
decide to learn about each other they may realize that we are not that
different after all. It is time to start respecting and loving what we
all have in common. Overall we are human regardless of race or gender.
Let's treat everyone as we wish to be treated.
Kelly Leader, April 10
"Why Trayvon"? I wish I had a definite answer to this question. Why should the color of one’s skin be a reason for justification? No one had the choice to choose their race or color; it is natural and, inevitable.
ReplyDeleteRacism a word I fail to comprehend, neither can I accept, it is one of the many brutal words I have ever come across.
The story of Trayvon is indeed a sad one, I cannot help but sympathize. Little did he know that that his death was near, I thought racism was dead, but I see it is rearing back its ugly head. Because he is black should not be enough reason to take his life. He was a normal teenager going about his business till he met racism.
Should I blame it on "IGNORANCE”; that people should understand that one should be judged based on character and not on the color of their skin. Our assumptions are not always right. I hope for the best and I am looking forward to the days when the color of one’s skin will not be a reason for justification!!!!
Lily Adjei, April 10