The victim was black, the shooter was mixed race hispanic. So what? Why must the tragedy of the taking of a human life take on racial overtones for us to rise up and care? Black on black violence takes far more human life every year than incidences like this and yet no one even gives it a second look. We have more work to do all right. A LOT more.

Sad that we cannot legislate or court order changes in the heart.
Alan Benson FCC of Carbondale, IL

Mr. Zimmerman called 911 and identified Trayvon as a black person. That's why race was brought into the discussion. Many of his 911 calls have been about black people. Mr. Zimmerman is the one who brought racial overtones into the situation. And I disagree that nobody gives "black on black" violence a second look.

The investigation is still in progress. Answers are not even known yet. Yet, too many are ready to jump to conclusions on all sides of this. ISTM such is pre-mature. Am I an advocate against racism? Most certainly. Am I an advocate for pro-reconciliation? Most certainly. The haste to judge Zimmerman (by anyone ... including the media already) is just as wrong. To say nothing IS unacceptable ... but to say judgement is just as unacceptable, when we just don't know all the facts yet. Is this a "race and guns" issue? We just don't know yet what it is. I want a thorough investigation and for justice to prevail. But, it is wrong to cast judgment before any such investigation has taken place!

As long as we regard difference of any type as a source of fear and suspicion we continue to place nails in Jesus on the cross. We must refard our fellow occupants of earth as travellers. We are, in God's plan gifts of Creation. Call us heavenly has, five cup salad, ambrosia or rocky road, it does not matter. We are children, God holds us and tempers us and continues Creation as we act on Earth. Believe or not the fear rules us and it is a complex physical stayed. I am a Special Educatore aware of differences that are microscopic and create macroscipic problems. We are the people of God. We are in possession of the,Gift. We must do our part to allow the Holy Spirit to act. Thank you Sharon for being with us on this challenge of love and fear.

It is not wrong to observe that if I (a fat, middle-class white guy) had been walking down that road wearing a hoodie and holding a can of ice tea in one hand and a bag of Skittles in the other, there's just no way that Zimmerman would have called 911, or followed me, or whatever happened after that. No way.

As a Disciple, I am very proud that my denomination insist in this issue. I wish, however, that the Christian Church could be more reflective about racism and its interceptions with other issues. One can no longer talk about racism; rather, it is more appropiate to talk about racisms (plural). Homogenization of any issue always benefit those who are in power, which in the US is 1% of the population. Perhaps, the Cristian Church should start by questioning about the name this enterprice has. It is called "Reconciliation." But "Reconciliation" from what? I cannot talk through the African American experience, but I can certainly approach this issue through my experience of immigrant to the US ethos and as Latino. Neither group, I would dare to suggest, has had a honey moon in the history of the US. If it is true that the killer was a Latino and the killed was a African American, then what is this fact telling us? It has been my experience that the dominant culture plays minotirezed groups in the ethos of the US against each other, while Anglo racism, in its different manifestation, goes unquestioned. "Reconcialiation" without real evidence of justice means nothing to those who are abjected in a society. By "abjected" I means those who in the US are seen as less than human beings (and they are many). My denomination will be better off letting the subaltern speak. It is, in short, my contention that in the US to talk about racisms is, in fact, unpolite. Thus, we have a society that is blind to issues that dehuminize the "other." The struggle for the Christian Church is to realize that God is indeed "the other."

My Dear Rev. Watkins,
I have been a member of the Christian Church (D of C ) since 1974. During that time I have read many articles written by the leadership of the church. Most I have agreed with and some I have not. However, I have to say that this article has got to be the most damaging and irresponsible that I have ever read from a church leader. The article is written without regard for the truth and if anything, could add to the fuel the media has already poured on the fire and cause a full blown riot! I am glad that Jesus had a little more patience and faith that the truth, what ever it may be, will come out in due time. That means until the investigation is complete, don't jump to conclusions. I have been in the same situation before. The only difference being I was a commissioned police officer. If you are being attacked by someone, I promise that you could care less about race! You just want to make sure you get home that night. Did the shooter make mistakes? Yes he did. Did the young man make mistakes? Yes, he did also. It should not be turned into a race issue however. Especially by someone in you position.

Such articles as the following illustrate exactly why a rush to judgment that Trayvon's death is a matter of "race and guns" shouldn't ever be promoted. http://dailycaller.com/2012/03/26/former-naacp-leader-accuses-sharpton-and-jackson-of-exploiting-trayvon-martin/ The Reverends Sharpton and Jackson are not advocating a "Christian" response to this terrible situation. They are, instead, promoting more racism and hatred and division within our country. As Christ-followers we need to be advocates of peace and reconciliation because Christ has broken down any and all dividing walls between all ethnics (Eph 2:14). I pray that our church does not promote any rush to judgment, but is truly about anti-racism, reconciliation and peace. Please, Sharon, don't fall into the exploitive steps of Sharpton or Jackson who promote racism and prejudice! Let justice prevail ... not pre-judice.

Thanks for a well-thought out blog. I, too, am looking for God's guidance to us and am hopeful that the court system will be able to bring justice. May the Martin family and the Zimmerman family feel enveloped by concern and have the courage to face the judgments coming their way.

I would argue what continues to keep race in the spotlight are articles such as this and initiatives that you note in your article. Is it important that Trayvon was black or that Zimmerman was Hispanic? When looking at the FACTS, race was only brought up on the 911 call when Zimmerman was asked by the 911 operator.

In addition, your article maps out what you believe are the events of the night. If these were the facts don't you think that there would be less review of the details and an arrest made. The fact that this continues to be reviewed highlights that the altercation is not as clear as you seem to believe.

Lastly, your "unlikely" point about if this was a white man would he have have been shot is based on no evidence whatsoever. America is the least racist country in the world. Statistics would cite that most black shootings are the result of black on black crime. Want to discuss this - probably not because you can't cite racism.

The wheels of justice turn slowly, and much too slowly for the mainstream media and the purveyors of race baited personal power and financial gain. However, as Americans we are truly guessed by God to have the greatest judicial system in the world. We are a nation of laws, not men.

Facts viewed in consideration of the law will be the appropriate course in determining justice in this case. Final judgement the Lord's alone. I trust that we will all support the findings and if need be verdict in this case. I further pray our leaders will strive to bring peace to all.

The other key foundational principle of our judicial system is that all accused are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, not public opinion.

On curious side note, I wonder why we have no Easter message of any kind (this blog or Disciples website) from our President to the church as a whole. I guess other priorities and causes ranging from working out with the current President's wife on a mission to eradicated childhood obesity, to using a tragedy of a shooting in Florida to make a callous pitch for a donation to the ministry of reconciliation (whatever that is) is more important than foundational tenet of our faith. Odd to say the least.

Perhaps our leadership should take a bearing mark on the moral compass of our church to see if we are still on the pole star of the great commandment and commission, and make a course correction if necessary. We are rapidly moving into the eddy of irrelevance in a world thirsting for the living water of Yeshua and salvation.

Shalom

Correction: In prior post I erred in using the word "guessed" instead of the intended "blessed" I apologize for my error.

Please pray for all of our nation's and church leaders to repent and lead our people in turning back to G-d in seeking his forgivness and re-establishment of our hedge of protection to our nation.

We broke the covenant upon which our country was established in 1789. G-d always keeps His covenants, and thankfully by grace he is patient in His dispensation of judgement.

Shalom.