On February 26, 2012, neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman shot and killed teenager Trayvon Martin. What Zimmerman claimed was an act of self defense others characterized as a racially motivated, unprovoked attack. Late last Saturday a Florida jury found Zimmerman not guilty on charges of second degree murder. Here's a sampling of what historians have to say:
- From Robin D. G. Kelley (UCLA): "How the System Worked: The U.S. v. Trayvon Martin" (CounterPunch).
- From Stephanie Jones Rogers (University of Iowa): "If Only Trayvon Had Freedom Papers" (HNN).
- From Elaine F. Parsons (Duquesne University): "Trayvon Martin the Latest Victim of America's Fear of Black Men" (HNN).
- From Brenda E. Stevenson (UCLA): "Women Played Critical Role in George Zimmerman Decision" (HNN).
- From Claire Potter (the New School): "No Justice, No Peace: Time to #StandOurGround #AgainstRacism" (Tenured Radical).
- See also this roundup from the UNC Press Blog.
- Last but not least, consider revisiting LHB guest blogger Josh Stein's August 2012 posts on "George Zimmerman and the Right to Violence."
- You can hear commentary from Donald Tibbs (Drexel Law School) here, on Radio Times. (Hat tip: Faculty Lounge).
- Former guest blogger David Bernstein has posted comments here, at the Volokh Conspiracy.