It's not the hoodie he was in...it's the hood he was in.

Americans are sometimes easily bamboozled and sidetracked from the real issues.  "Reality" shows and gossip magazines are often taken as truth as we are consumed with trivia. Sensationalized headlines are like shiny objects dangled in front of us to distract us from what's really going on. It's not surprising when a small aspect of a situation gets blown into a major cause because it was highlighted for us. 


So when people become convinced that an athletic garment is the cause for a young man's death, we should all take a minute, remember where we are, and look closer at the entire situation.  In this country, most injustice is based on  race, class, or social stratification.  If Justin Bieber was walking through that same neighborhood that Trayvon Martin was killed in, and wearing the same hoodie, do you think he would have been seen as suspicious? What if  it was the man who discovered Justin Bieber, Usher? 


This country has a history of racial profiling, particularly of black males who are walking or driving in predominantly white neighborhoods. The media would have us believe that since President Obama was elected, we live in a "post racial" society. This couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, since President Obama was elected, I have seen more of a racially focused society than ever. But we blame a hoodie.


Now African American and Latino/Hispanic youth are being advised not to wear hoodies (thanks Geraldo).  If it wasn't about race, Geraldo would have advised ALL youth not to wear hoodies.  But Mr. Rivera, the sensationalist guru himself, is holding a sparkly object by a string in the faces of Americans. People are focusing on a hoodie when we all know very well that it was the skin underneath the hoodie that caused the neighborhood watch such concern.


But here we stand, dazed and confused, unable, or more likely, unwilling to acknowledge the pink elephant in the room...America is still fraught with racism. Even other African Americans are quick to pre-judge, vilify, and marginalize this and other youth because it is too frightening or disturbing to believe that we still live in our grandparents' world. Racism is the stain of this country, and covering it up or ignoring it is not going to make it go away. If we can't scrub it out, we must throw the shirt, or hoodie, away. Peace and blessings.