Trayvon Martin, George Zimmerman Verdict: A Rational Approach

For those who normally visit my website, let me start off by saying about Trayvon Martin and George Zimmerman verdict:

• I don’t have all this figured out regarding if George Zimmerman is guilty of the murder of  Trayvon Martin
• This is one of my more personal posts on a sad saga involving the death of a young boy, Trayvon Martin.
• I am no legal expert and will not pretend to be one on Trayvon Martin versus George Zimmerman
• I aim to be as intellectually honest about this tragedy of Trayvon Martin no longer being in this world (and other, non-market matters) as I am about my investment research/analysis.

1. The way I see it, this is first (and foremost) an incredibly sad + tragic situation – I mourn for Trayvon Martin … and George Zimmerman.  Trayvon Martin’s life was prematurely taken from him. George Zimmerman will have to live the rest of his life knowing he killed a boy. If he’s a half decent man, that will weigh on him the rest of his life, even if was in the right. If he’s not a half decent man… well, judgment day is coming. A court may render him innocent of “Thou shall not murder” , but I for one believe there is another court that is all-knowing and all-powerful, and will be the ultimate arbiter. And in that court, exoneration and forgiveness belong to that judge, alone.
2. I don’t have this all figured out … maybe you don’t either – I don’t know all the facts, and even if I did, it is unclear if I would have the knowledge and wisdom to make the right decision(s). Maybe a healthy dose of humility and grace towards others is in order?
3. Too many George Zimmerman supporters seem lacking in empathy/compassion for the other side – A young boy was killed. As it is written, “There is a time for everything… a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn …” Maybe you should be more sensitive and loving to those still in mourning for such a loss? If your own son/daughter, brother/sister, was taken away from you, how would you feel?

4. Too many Trayvon Martin supporters seem to be mistaking vengeance for justice, and hate for righteous indignation

   A young boy was killed. That is tragic, and my heart goes out to all. Bear in mind, however, that killing someone is not necessarily murder. If Zimmerman did not murder Trayvon Martin, it is JUST that he walks free. If Zimmerman was motivated by hate, returning his hatred with more hate is not righteous at all.

5. I find that way too many people are trivializing the race/bigotry issues – For starters, look here for sick posts about Trayvon Martin. And those are just a sample of people  foolish enough to overtly tweet about it (and get caught).  Racism/bigotry on a personal level are alive and well. I’ve seen it with my very own eyes. Institutional/structural racism/bigotry are alive, as well. And I for one believe the latter is actually the more dangerous one.
6. There are significant structural problems with our ‘justice system’ – The United States accounts for less than 5% of the world’s population, but houses more than 25% of the world’s prisoners (read this for more facts). This has not always been the case, and is actually a fairly recent phenomenon in US history. I personally believe that both Trayvon Martin and George Zimmerman are unintended victims of a highly flawed system, that is overdue for reform.  I’m encouraged to find that most lawmakers (on all sides) seem to agree with me.

Food for Thought for Market Participants on  Trayvon Martin and George Zimmerman:

1.  Maybe you should dialogue more frequently with people whose thought process and opinions vastly differ from your own… both when it comes to markets as well as other matters. It can help you grow and even make more $.
2. Nearly all (like 99.9%) of market participants are emotional beings. The goal, then, is to master one’s own emotions, not eliminate them. Trying to eliminate emotion seems like a Sishyphean task, chasing after the wind. It aint  happenin. Once you realize this, then maybe you don’t get angry at your own and others’ emotions…and rather, you start using them to your advantage.
3.  When I play poker, I like to observe and learn from both the smarter and dumber players. There’s a lot to be gained from understanding both (as well as players similar to yourself, and others who are stylistically different from you, but not necessarily smarter/dumber)…