In my opinion, the reason why the Trayvon Martin case is so pivotal and so important to talk about, is it is one of the few times that racism is talked about openly as an issue that is still occurring today. It is easy to ignore the small digs that persons of other ethnicities experience, writing it off as them being "sensitive" or a joke with a racial component, but something of the Trayvon magnitude revives discussions about the status of racism in America today. There is little question in my mind that this was a case where racism was involved. Even if examined from the most favorable position, it appears that Zimmerman noticed a young black man who was out of place, felt "threatened," and acted accordingly. Why he felt threatened at all is where the racism plays in. Perhaps I have an overly sympathetic view to the governing bodies, but I don't think the "Stand your Ground" law was made to create this type of predicament with this type of conclusion. No one wants to or is willing to admit to being racist, especially now that it has become socially unacceptable to be outrightly so, or at least admit to it. However, of course just because someone does not admit it does not mean they are not racist, and one must hope that their assumptions may not one day lead to disastrous consequences like it did for Zimmerman with Trayvon.

Though outright racism is no longer socially acceptable, racism is still alive and well, and we all hold some assumptions or knowledge of these assumptions about racial stereotypes. I consider myself well-educated and cultured, having lived in different parts of the US as well as areas of various SES. However, I can't say that I have never thought a racist thought or have never grouped people of a certain ethnicity together. What level of education and what is required then, to lessen the impact of racism? Is merely being aware of it enough? My feeling is no, for subtle racial stereotypes that we have internalized even without our knowledge may be brought to the surface especially in times of great stress, such as in situations where you believe your life is in danger. I don't know Zimmerman and have no idea how racist he is, but regardless, our own assumptions and prejudices, even small ones, may also yield large negative consequences on others' lives.