FEAR AND INTIMIDATION BY CHILDREN

There is a problem in the Florida case that no one has mentioned. Oh, they have talked about Zimmerman 'looking' for blacks while also fearing blacks. That is not what I want to talk about. You may know that most adults are intimidated by teens. I have seen it over and over, particularly among seniors. You may have noticed it at malls or movies. Adults really try to avoid teens, especially if they are in groups or look threatening. They are actually fearful to get near them. They are afraid the teens might do something to them. They will cross to another side of the street to avoid being close. You have seen it too. Too many adults are afraid of teenagers. Now, having been in the high school classroom forever, I walk right on by and usually say something to them. That often almost intimidates them. They simply are not used to an adult saying something as simple as "Good morning" or "Did you see the movie?"

I have seen adults walk into a high school cafeteria and, when seeing 800 kids, begin to back out...  I don't understand it and neither do you; but so many adults are afraid. This is not an excuse for Zimmerman; it is rather something that all teen's parents need to know and teach to their kids. Kids need to learn that if they are in no way threatening, they need to make that obvious. That is a sad fact of life. People shouldn't react so quickly to their immediate thoughts, but we all do; and if something threatens us, we react... even if the threat is not real.

Home invasions are real. Is that what Zimmerman feared? We have no idea what went through anyone's mind; but one felt threatened by the other. I don't think we can ever stop people's fear of the not known, but perhaps we could prevent some of the problems if we taught everyone about the fear that is there and the things all of us do that not only intimidate others, but makes them fear us. It is not about right or wrong clothing or right or wrong music or anything like that. It is about the things that intimidate other people. You know, some like the power they feel when they intimidate others, whether with a hoodie or a gun.

Yes, Zimmerman had that gun in order to intimidate; and Trayvon probably had no idea that hoodies intimidate. And that is what is so sad. Understand.. I have hoodies; my niece wears hoodies; I have nothing against hoodies. But most adults see the hoodie as threatening, the sign of hiding something, symbol of rebellion, anti-social behavior. Worse, a black male plus night plus a hoodie plus anything else whatever is truly threatening to many adults. For days after Trayvon was shot, everyone wore hoodies in support. I wondered whether the sight of all those young people in hoodies didn't make some even more fearful of young, black males.

All we know right now is that something caused fear that night and we may never know what truly happened. But can't there be some way to remind all of us that sometimes we have to walk on the safe side, no matter just how unfair all that may seem? Perhaps, young black men should avoid wearing hoodies over their faces when walking at night. Hey, young white men should avoid wearing hoodies particularly if they also have certain haircuts, sport certain tattoos, wear specific boots. This fear of the unknown person is not limited to one young man in Florida. It is everywhere and everyone needs to be aware of the things we do that frighten others.

BTW, everyone talks of Trayvon as being a child. I have a thought about that you might also address. Yes, he was a child. But at his age, he was already making adult decisions and being allowed to make adult decisions. He, and every other young person of that age, makes decisions every day about smoking, attending school, alcohol and drugs, sexual behavior, driving practices, all kinds of decisions that affect them every day.

I always tried to teach with every piece of literature taken up in my class, the idea that every decision we make makes some difference in what happens next. Decisions made about serious life principles need to be thought about and even made well ahead of time so that when the moment comes, there is no stammer, but the individual known what he will do. When offered drugs, he will.....  Does anyone tells kids that anymore? Did anyone tell Trayvon that being out after dark with his face covered with a hoodie might cause him a problem? Did he ever think about it as he put on his favorite hoodied shirt? Probably not. But that's something we need to think about. Every decision brings along the results with it. Sometimes it matters and sometimes it does not.

Yes, I could also write on and on about the decision Zimmerman made, but my concerns are always for the kids. They have my heart. I don't want them making wrong decisions when information could make the difference.