Historians Comment on the Trayvon Martin Killing and George Zimmerman Acquittal

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."

UPDATES:

• 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.