Trayvon Martin: Hate Crime or HOA Paranoia?

I have recently been following the Trayvon Martin case which has been widely publicized in the media the past several days.

In fact, there have been protests as far as New York City in light of the wide publicity this case has engendered.

Ever since the passage of the "hate crimes" legislation, there has been an increase of reports of crimes which are being widely publicized as "racial" in nature.

What has been so odd to me is that prior to the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and subsequent legislation, I could understand the push for federal legislation that also addressed crimes which could reasonably be suspected to be racially motivated.

I mean, there was a great deal of prejudice against the African American community in many pockets of the country which continued post the American Civil War.

But it seems whenever there is a crime which is committed by or against people of different "races," or "sexual" orientation the "hate crime" media mill begins.

In this case, it seems to me that Mr. Zimmerman, the man who shot Trayvon Martin, a black youth, appears to have had control issues from what has been leaked through the media.

He had at one time even considered entering law enforcement as a career, and had been in a few confrontations prior to the events which transpired recently.

But I just wonder if there wasn't something else at work here...

Such as the fact that this crime occurred in an HOA community - one of those gated communities in Florida.

Communities which have had their share of legal wranglings since so many have been built by those huge developers since the 1980's.

I just wonder if all those Board meetings about dues, safety issues, etc., contributed to the events which transpired which led to this young man's death.

The fact that these communities are considered "private" and any "strange" individual within the community almost immediately suspect.

The police have not undertaken any investigation due to a law in Florida cited as the "Stand Your Ground" law which, I am sure, was meant to reinforce and protect a citizens right to defend and protect his own property and person with deadly force, if necessary.

Problem was, Trayvon Martin was "suspect" from the outset in this gated community.

And Mr. Zimmerman most likely felt he had the "right" to defend and protect not simply his own property, but that of the "community," as quite clearly an active member of this community's homeowners association.

In fact, one of the Board members was interviewed on mainstream television testifying how Mr. Zimmerman "had prevented several crimes" in the community previously due to his vigiliance.

Seems to me, those "Stand Your Ground" laws need review in Florida - and quickly.

Clearly spelling out the limits of the law if it is so broadly worded or interpreted to afford these communities to act whether there is any overt act or suspicion.

With limits placed on individual members of the community from taking such action unless it is their property or person endangered, unless acting as a paid agent or private security officer for the community.

Seems to me due to the fact that this man followed this youth through the common area of this community, with this young man being a "suspect" from the moment he entered the "gated" community, race could have been a contributing factor...

But most likely, it was the entire HOA gated community paranoid mentality at work here...with him instead "profiled" as an "outsider."

But playing the race card makes for bigger ratings, and headlines.

And just maybe, a future payout if the local police are blamed once again for the legislative failings of the state (and federal government, since these gated communities are also spreading throughout the country PROGRESSIVELY).