By: Amanda Anderson-Niles
Black people support George Zimmerman? Trayvon Martin’s murder has left a lot of African-Americans fed up with the state of the country’s “Stand Your Ground” and Self Defense laws. Because of the heinous laws in Florida, George Zimmerman was not held accountable for shooting and killing unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin. Instead the questionable jurors found Zimmerman not guilty of Second Degree Murder and Manslaughter. While many in the black community are outraged by the verdict, it appears Charles Barkley isn’t and he seems to think justice was served. In a recent interview with CNBC’s “Closing Bell,” he says he agrees with the verdict and believes Trayvon Martin beat the crap out of Zimmerman and it led to his shooting. The retired NBA star says:
“I agreed with the verdict. I feel sorry that young kid got killed. But they didn’t have enough evidence to charge him. Something clearly went wrong that night. Clearly something went wrong. I feel bad for anybody who loses a kid, but if you looked at the case and you don’t make it — there was some racial profiling, no question about it. But something happened that changed the dynamic of that night, and I know — that’s probably not a popular opinion among most people but just looking at the evidence I agreed with the verdict.”
He also claimed he feels the media is just using the situation to create division and black people can be racist too:
“I just feel bad because I don’t like when race gets out in the media because I don’t think the media has a pure heart, as I call it. There are very few people (who) have a pure heart when it comes to race. Racism is wrong in any, shape, form — a lot of black people are racist too. I think sometimes when people talk about racism, they say only white people are racist. There are a lot of black people who are racist. I don’t like when it gets out there in the media because I don’t think the media has clean hands.
“And let me tell you, Mr. Zimmerman was wrong to pursue — he was racial profiling. I think Trayvon Martin, God rest his soul, I think he did flip the switch and started beating the h*ll out of Mr. Zimmerman. But it was just a bad situation. And like I said, the main thing I feel bad for, it gives every black and white person who is racist a platform to vent their ignorance.
“That’s the thing that bothers me the most because I watched this trial closely and I watch all these people are television talking about it. A lot of people have a hidden agenda. You know, they want their racist views, whether they are white or black.”
Check out the clip below:
Isn’t he a republican? I’m not surprised.
Uncle Tom. Now this a real sellout, not Jay-Z, this fool right here!
I have lost all respect for Charles Barkley.
until it happens to his child or some one in his family ;((
Thank you.
until it happens to someone he loves ;(((
What a sellout. I honestly have no respect for black people who place so much value in getting white people to pat them on the back that they will throw their whole race under the bus. Why say this? I’ll tell you why. He wants white people to think he’s “intelligent.” But an intelligent person knows right from wrong. Zimmerman was wrong. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that.
Wow really Charles? Man I’m done. I don’t have to ever hear him speak again. *walks out post*
This is what happens when ignorant black people try to impress white people.
Get this c*on out of here.
I wish we could trade away Lupe Fiasco and Charles Barkley in the racial draft…
One day he’ll have to eat these words. People try to hard to look smart and they make themselves look real dumb in the process.
I can see why GZ was found not guilty but I don’t think Trayvon should be blamed for his own death. Had GZ stayed in his car and let the cops handle it, Trayvon would still be alive. That speaks volumes. But do I think the media is using this story to cause division? Absolutely!
Well Said…. I Could Not Agree More.
I’m not surprised. This is what Charles Barkley does. He loves the attention too.
He has a right to his opinion…but I don’t agree at all.
It’s sick to blame the DECEASED victim.
The laws in Florida need to be changed period. I wish people would just understand that. These laws have just given flawed and stupid human beings a license to kill. Smh.
It’s a sad day when “law” has taken priority over morality. I’m tired of hearing people talk about “evidence.” I’m just gonna stop now…..
I won’t be watching Inside the NBA anymore this is disgusting.
Pure Ignorance at its finest! This is coming from a man who married a white woman because he felt a black woman wasn’t good enough for him (racist against his own). This may be about race to you…however, it is about Right and Wrong to others! For the sake of your children try looking at this case as if it could have been your child. There is one thing I do agree with what Charles said ” Racism is wrong in any, shape, form.” Racism still exist…the way my parents experience racism back in 1950 is not the same form of racism my generation or my children generation will experience racism. When all is said in done Racism played a huge role in this case!
I’ve never cared for Charles Barkley but his response doesn’t surprise me. He always has a lot of rubbish coming out his mouth.
This is why intelegent conversation in the Afican American community can not be held today. Anytime some one is a voice of dissent they are labeled an “Uncle Tom” or “Sell Out”.It is ignorant and just plain stupid to call some one names because they dont agree with you. Everything is not racism !!!! Maybe if the African American community would instill better values in their young men and women things like this would not happen. African Americans as a whole embrace rap and the “Urban Lifestyle” which tennats are masogony, glorificaton of drug use and distribution, and disrespect for authority. it fails to promote education, community involvement, and inclusion. African Americans are the only minority ethnic or otherwise that goes around lovingly calling them selves a racial slur. Yet have the audacity to become angry when others do. African American are fundamentaly confused at their core. This case is a testimony to that. the verdict was fair and right, and I doubt if it was Trayvon on trial for beating Zimmerman to death, there would be public out rage in the African American community over an aquittal. I AM A BLACK MAN its hard to look at your self and say what you need to do to change the status quo. But if we as a people take responsibility for our own perpetuation of sterotypes which cause racism then incedents like this would be few and far between.
Smh, yes you made some valid points…however, don’t be naive!
Yesssss!!! Thank You For This And It’s Not Naive. It’s An Ideal…Similar To What Our Forefather MarcheD And Protested For. Shame On ‘smh’ For Their Cynicism….I Think You Are Exactly Right. Im So Tired Of African Americans And This Guilt Trip. Kudos To Charles Barkley And Lupe Fiasco ForSpeaking Their Opinion. People Are Only Mad Because They Feel Convicted.
The most annoying thing is that people CONTINUE to bring up the negatives of our culture. There is good and bad in every race. To me, people are more upset with the fact that a teenager was killed walking home from the store, and to add insult to injury, there are stories printed everyday about children-mostly black, being killed by some gun toting nut. It would be nice if we uplifted and embraced our culture, instead of being a shamed of it. Many of us do listen to rap music, ware loud and obnoxious hair and clothing, and have grammar issues; however, there are plenty of us that know the difference between Jessye Norman and Keisha Cole as well. Remember the days of black Walstreet and NIcodemous,KS and use their success as a blue print for OUR future.
Sad….Charles you just need to be relevant because your time as a household name is gone….what people won’t do for publicity…. SMH
TRAYVON MARTIN we will never give up or never give in… we won’t stop fighting until Zimmerman is back in jail again. ….. From a true believer that Trayvon Martin will receive Justice…. for those who care and want to see a change go to “We The People” and sign the petition for Zimmerman can get prosecuted by the U.S. Justice Department for violating Trayvon Martin’ s Civil Rights to Live. PLEASE PLEASE let’s all “STAND OUR GROUND” the right way and get JUSTICE for Trayvon . …..YOU CAN’T BE HEARD IF YOU STOP TALKING….
Typo (sign the petition so Zimmerman can be prosecuted for violating Trayvon Martin’s CIVIL RIGHTS To LIVE) once again that is “WE THE PEOPLE” let your voice be heard….