Officer Suspended For Trayvon Martin Post That, Once Again, Blames The Victim

Just days after Geraldo Rivera made an ass of himself by proclaiming that children of color shouldn’t wear hoodies if they don’t want to be shot, a New Orleans police officer has made an even more sickening statement regarding the tragic death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. “Act like a Thug Die like one!” is what Jason Giroir, a 13-year veteran of the New Orleans Police Department, posted on WWLTV.com in response to an article about the slain Florida teen.

Martin was shot to death by George Zimmerman, a 28-year-old neighborhood watch volunteer who claims he acted in self-defense. As the investigation continues, we’re seeing the best and worse of people. On one hand are the countless number of people who have joined together in support of Martin and his family. On the other extreme are those like Giroir, who truly show the evil side of humanity. Because this isn’t a question of whose “side” you’re on (for instance, there are many who believe Zimmerman was only defending itself). This is a clear case of hatred and racism and, most of all, blaming the victim.

Fortunately, Giroir has been suspended without pay, and NOPD Superintendent Ronal Serpas issued a statement Monday:

To say that I’m angry is an understatement. I’m furious. Let me be clear, the hard working men and women of the NOPD do not condone such statements. Giroir by those statements has embarrassed this department with insensitive, harmful and offensive comments. The New Orleans Police Department specifically condemns these comments, and comments like this will not be tolerated in the New Orleans Police Department.

As my colleague Koa Beck so wisely pointed out, saying that kids of colors shouldn’t wear hoodies is like telling girls not to wear short skirts. Girior’s despicable comment accuses Martin of acting like a “thug” simply because he wore a hoodie, which any rational being can tell you is beyond absurd. There is no justification for killing a person because of his clothes, just as there’s no justification for raping a woman because of her wardrobe case. It’s a dangerous message to be sending our children period. And it’s scary to think there are people out there who truly think this way.

(Photo: facebook.com)