In this entire mess, that's the rub. THAT is what needs to be understood.
The neighborhood is reported to be LESS than 50% white, so it would seem unlikely that Zimmerman focused on Martin purely out of some racist animosity. That is, it couldn't have been unusual to see a black man walking down the street in that neighborhood, so that alone shouldn't have been a red flag for Zimmerman.
What did Zimmerman see that made him nervous, that made him track the movements of this (6'2") teen? Was Martin strolling along toward home with purpose and a destination, or was he moving slowly and aimlessly? Was he stopping to peek into parked cars? Did Martin take a "shortcut" across private lawns? Did he look like he was "casing" a house?
WHAT made Zimmerman nervous enough to call the police even before the confrontation ever took place?
One very important thing is missing here: Zimmerman's FULL side of the story.
There is one other important thing missing. The 17 year old's side of what happened. Since he's dead, his story will never be heard.
>> One very important thing is missing here: Zimmerman’s FULL side of the story.
Exactly. And we’re allowed to insist on that disclosure without the gratuitous accusations of bigotry.
From what I've read on this thread, Martin was talking on his cell phone with his girl friend while returning from the store with a soda and a bag of candy.