White Murderer Versus Black Murder Victim
No subtlety needed when examining the difference portrayal of Black and Whites in criminal cases.
Look at the photos below.
The top photo is of Ethan Crumbley, the 15-year-old boy who murdered four people at his Michigan high school this week.
The series of photos at the bottom are of Trayvon Martin, the 17-year-old boy who was unarmed when he was shot and killed by George Zimmerman in Florida in 2012.
What do you notice about the photos?
One youth is White. The other is Black.
One kid is praying.
One kid is smoking.
The White kid shown praying is a murderer, and this is the photo that many news outlets are showing.
The Black kid was shot and killed by a White man who "felt threatened," and this is one of a series of images used by the media and the White man's lawyers.
When Black people express cynicism and dismay about racism in America, here are Exhibits A-Z
Every time a Black person is involved in a high-profile criminal case, whether as a perpetrator or victim, they are inevitably accused of being a "thug," "hoodlum," "a drug addict," and "dangerous."
When White people are involved in a high-profile criminal case as a perpetrator, they are inevitably described as "quiet," "a loner," "bullied," and "normal."
Black people are twice victimized - first as murder victims, and second as victims of character assassination.
On the other hand, White people are presumed decent and upstanding.
Even when there is overwhelming evidence to the contrary.