Geraldo Rivera Is Kind Of Right

For those of you following the Trayvon Martin shooting, you've probably heard what Geraldo Rivera said recently regarding the shooting:

“I am urging the parents of black and Latino youngsters particularly not to let their children go out wearing hoodies. I think the hoodie is as much responsible for Trayvon Martin‘s death as much as George Zimmerman was..."

I think there is some merit to that statement, as much as I hate to admit I am agreeing with Geraldo.

It shouldn't be that way, but people look at certain kinds of clothing and they make assumptions. If you don't want someone to assume something about you, then maybe you should avoid that type of clothing. It sucks, to be sure, but if it helps to keep kids safe…

We are a society that judges people by their clothing. When we look at someone, we make assessments about who they are, where they come from, whether they are successful, or wealthy, etc. Knowing this helps us manipulate other people’s perceptions of us and we can use it to our advantage. Or how we dress can be a disadvantage to us.

Of course it isn’t right to judge people by their clothing, we all know that. I bet we all do it to one extent or another, though. Obviously, not in a “grab your gun” type of way, at least not for most people.

I guess if my kids were African-American or Latino, I would consider throwing their hoodies away. It would tick me off, but I would probably still do it. At the end of the day, I would want my babies to be safe.