Obama's statement, "If I had a son he would look like Trayvon", undoubtedly did more to torpedo the case than any mismanagement in the state of Florida. He was wrong to interject himself into the debate. Once he did it became less about Trayvon and more of a referendum on him and his administration. Furthermore, in this context but perhaps applicable also to Edward Snowden, upon conviction a defendant could reasonably claim to have not gotten a fair trial because the president or some high ranking official implicitly or explicitly confirmed guilt.
One wonders if that was Obama's intent all along.
This is not the first time Obama has bungled events with strong racial currents. I still wince when I think of the "beer summit", wherein what the president called a, "teachable moment" about race involved alcohol. The acquittal of George Zimmerman is just another example of the high cost of Obama to black America.
Not to say that presidents Bush or Clinton were great unifiers of Americans but they did not engender racial animosity in the most powerful groups. No question politicians are powerful in office but to a large extent they fall under the sway of leaders of industry and old, inherited money. The Obama presidency gives the impression that blacks have acquired influence. The reality is that black people, African - Americans, control very little in terms of the means of production. Whether this is by design or a failure to organize for mutual benefit I cannot say.
What I can say is that the unilateral ceding and closing of the conversation on race to president Obama and his singular accomplishment is a historical tragedy.
This article in the New York times main thesis of a decline (more of a dissipation really) in black political strength due to democrats being branded the, "black party" is cogent and particularly relevant.
Kobe Bryant, Donavan McNabb, Drake, Morgan Freeman, Gabrielle Union, President Obama, Jay - Z are all wealthy and famous. Rick Ross raps of statues being built in his honor and black males with pants hanging down and gold chains are marketed constantly. These entertainers, politicians and athletes give the impression of black strength where there is none.
Outcomes like the Zimmerman trial are teachable moments reminding us that perception and reality can be two different things. Perhaps if Zimmerman had shot some famous black there might have been a different outcome (but I doubt it). As it is the lessons from this case run much deeper.
I've read that the greatest resource is people. I believe it. African- American human resources have been pretty much left to languish since slavery. There is no active effort by so called educated blacks to pool resources, purchase companies and develop technology. It's just a dwindling amount of Kanye West's "new slaves".
I've written hundreds of times now that for black people to have more than a nostalgic effect on public policy we have to actively participate in the economy. To do that we have to value our own lives. I doubt we will hear too many songs by people of other races encouraging them to shoot one another, disrespect women, and get a street education.
You could argue as Manly Hall does that races are known by their great men but it's not unreasonable to expect the African - American to adapt (as some admittedly do) industriousness.
So yes, I am saying that if Trayvon (the majority of black men actually) was raised in a home with both parents who focused on his education the outcome would have been different. That's the real tragedy.
President Obama recently commented about the Washington Redskins name. The president basically said the name is offensive and should be changed. Meanwhile, another offensive word, used far more frequently (and even marketed to youth) by his friends in the music industry, goes unmentioned.