One of the things that's been percolating for a while is my opinion on the whole George Zimmerman situation/trial. I've felt hatred toward him, apathy, annoyance, and finally nothing more than simple finality. Zimmerman is nothing more than a pathetic living metaphor designed to address all the country's swing issues, resulting in a bloated and detestable "human" and a circus-like trial that did nothing to defend the innocence of Zimmerman nor the innocence of Trayvon Martin. The trail was nothing more than a reality show, while the perpetrator is nothing more than a pawn, and the victim nothing more entertainment fodder and a name detached from a person, designed to elicit two simple feelings--sympathy or disgust.
A visceral reaction to the whole situation is "well, obviously Zimmerman's guilty." But to what extent the guilt exists seems to have captivated the country. I mean, even after the trial we still seem to care enough about his pathetic existence that his speeding ticket in Texas and apparent half-heroism "rescuing" a family from their overturned SUV is front-page news. Ridiculous and pathetic. The trial could have been settled in a day, un-televised, with the same verdict. A law exists. He used it to his advantage when he shouldn't have, killed someone who may or may not have been innocent, but the law is the law. He's guilty, but is free to go/innocent on account of technicality. Soon thereafter, a vigilante would have found him, killed him, and the world continues on. No reality show needed, no sweeping news coverage nor captivation. No t-shirts, sweatshirt'd signs, protests, etc.
We as Americans have become so obsessed with reality television that we elevated this simple and unnecessary trail into something greater than OJ's. And we are so divided on our critical issues--gun control, racism, the death penalty, marijuana legalization, disrespectful and anarchic youth, privacy vs. social media, etc. that we needed an outlet to address all of them. What better chance than a "murder trial"? (And I use that term loosely.) Oh, you're just realizing the trial was about all of these things and not Trayvon? Congratulations, the government just fooled you.
The trial was pathetic and meant to entertain and clandestinely discover what the country's feelings were on these particular issues. Trayvon's friend, Rachel Jeantel, wasn't a witness as much as she was a talking point--the rebellious co-star brought on screen to distract from any serious situation and provide an extra few reality show episodes. I'm surprised she hasn't been offered a reality show contract yet. Or should I say "spin-off."
The whole humping of the dummy incident by both lawyers was a spectacle usually reserved for Big Brother. Shame on anyone who even sat through and watched it. I'm sure in the original script the dummy was supposed to be Spencer Pratt or Kim Kardashian.
Nothing. Absolutely nothing was accomplished through this trial. All of our aforementioned core divisive issues were discussed and America unconsciously made their "guilty/not guilty decisions" based upon how they felt/would vote about any of these issues. Zimmerman was nothing but a pawn, made to sit and become "the face" of our pathetic latest American reality program.
Here We Are, Now Entertain Us
America fell for it. We became captivated, obsessed, and nothing happened. No issue was solved, an unsurprising verdict was announced, and a guilty/not guilty victim remains buried without any change made to the product of his fate/possible martyrdom. We're living in a reality controlled by fantasy in which we cannot make decisions anymore without someone entertaining us first.
And yes, it only lasted "one season," but another trial will come along with more random reality stars who will address more of America's core divisive issues (probably the same ones), and unconsciously we as Americans will gauge how we feel about these issues through whether we find someone to be guilty or not.
I can just see it now: Dancing with the Stars next season will feature Michael Jackson's former doctor, George Zimmerman, a heavily rehabbed Lindsay Lohan, Kanye West fresh from his Kardashian divorce, and another washed up child or past movie star whose career has fizzled to the point that only a shitty reality show can save them from complete anonymity/obscurity. We'll vote based on who we feel the most sympathy for. Who can dance the best "legalize marijuana tango," or the "marriage or publicity stunt/should pre-nups be more popular/why is our divorce rate so high? foxtrot," and, of course, the infamous "let's talk about race" salsa.
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