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Suspicion Nation: The Inside Story of the Trayvon Martin Injustice and Why We Continue to Repeat It
What went wrong behind the scenes in the Trayvon Martin case? Why does America endure so many tragic shootings like this one? These are the questions at the heart of Suspicion Nation.
Bestselling author, trial attorney, and NBC News analyst Lisa Bloom covered the murder trial and was appalled by what she witnessed. Bloom now exposes the injustice, conducting new in-depth interviews with key trial participants and digging deeper into the evidence. Suspicion Nation outlines the six biggest mistakes made by the state of Florida that guaranteed it would lose this “winnable case,” and the laws and biases that created the conditions for this tragedy.
The only nonwhite juror tells her story of painful isolation in the jury room. Rachel Jeantel, the state's star witness, reveals how poorly the state prepared her to testify and what went through her mind on the stand. The medical examiner reveals scientific evidence he wasn’t allowed to present. And a new examination of Trayvon's school suspensions raises questions about racial profiling, all in a country divided over issues of race, gun laws, and violence.
Suspicion Nation is a riveting courtroom drama that shines a bright light on a case we only thought we knew.
Bestselling author, trial attorney, and NBC News analyst Lisa Bloom covered the murder trial and was appalled by what she witnessed. Bloom now exposes the injustice, conducting new in-depth interviews with key trial participants and digging deeper into the evidence. Suspicion Nation outlines the six biggest mistakes made by the state of Florida that guaranteed it would lose this “winnable case,” and the laws and biases that created the conditions for this tragedy.
The only nonwhite juror tells her story of painful isolation in the jury room. Rachel Jeantel, the state's star witness, reveals how poorly the state prepared her to testify and what went through her mind on the stand. The medical examiner reveals scientific evidence he wasn’t allowed to present. And a new examination of Trayvon's school suspensions raises questions about racial profiling, all in a country divided over issues of race, gun laws, and violence.
Suspicion Nation is a riveting courtroom drama that shines a bright light on a case we only thought we knew.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published February 25, 2014
About the author
Lisa Bloom
71 books148 followersAuthor of upcoming SUSPICION NATION: The Inside Story of the Trayvon Martin Injustice and Why We Continue to Repeat It (releases 2/26/14). Author of the New York Times bestseller, Think: Straight Talk for Women to Stay Smart in a Dumbed-Down World, and #1 parenting bestseller, Swagger: 10 Urgent Rules for Raising Boys in an Era of Failing Schools, Mass Joblessness and Thug Culture.
Host of her own national live daily talk show on Court TV for eight years, Lisa is now a regular legal analyst on CBS News, CNN and HLN, appearing frequently on The Early Show, Piers Morgan, The Insider, Dr. Phil, Anderson Cooper 360, The Situation Room, Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell and many other shows. In addition, Lisa runs a prominent Los Angeles based general practice law firm, TheBloomFirm.com, representing celebrity clients and ordinary people seeking justice in their lives. A popular award-winning speaker and author, Lisa has been interviewed by Barbara Walters, Oprah Winfrey, Larry King, Rachael Ray, Montel Williams, Julie Chen, Harry Smith, Matt Lauer, Diane Sawyer, Charlie Gibson,Tony Danza, Star Jones, Paula Zahn, Anderson Cooper, Campbell Brown, Wolf Blitzer, Bill O’Reilly, Shawn Hannity, Elizabeth Vargas, Dan Abrams, Joe Scarborough, Rita Cosby, Tina Brown, Donny Deutsch, Nancy Grace and many others.
Lisa especially enjoys speaking to live audiences, and is a popular speaker at college commencements, corporate events, and women's and book groups.
Host of her own national live daily talk show on Court TV for eight years, Lisa is now a regular legal analyst on CBS News, CNN and HLN, appearing frequently on The Early Show, Piers Morgan, The Insider, Dr. Phil, Anderson Cooper 360, The Situation Room, Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell and many other shows. In addition, Lisa runs a prominent Los Angeles based general practice law firm, TheBloomFirm.com, representing celebrity clients and ordinary people seeking justice in their lives. A popular award-winning speaker and author, Lisa has been interviewed by Barbara Walters, Oprah Winfrey, Larry King, Rachael Ray, Montel Williams, Julie Chen, Harry Smith, Matt Lauer, Diane Sawyer, Charlie Gibson,Tony Danza, Star Jones, Paula Zahn, Anderson Cooper, Campbell Brown, Wolf Blitzer, Bill O’Reilly, Shawn Hannity, Elizabeth Vargas, Dan Abrams, Joe Scarborough, Rita Cosby, Tina Brown, Donny Deutsch, Nancy Grace and many others.
Lisa especially enjoys speaking to live audiences, and is a popular speaker at college commencements, corporate events, and women's and book groups.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
February 16, 2017
I was, like many Americans, stunned at the acquittal of George Zimmerman, the 39-year-old white man who shot and killed an unarmed 17-year-old black man named Trayvon Martin in 2012. Even more stunning was the vocal support for Zimmerman by what seemed like a large proportion of Americans, especially considering the fact that the basic facts of the case were never in dispute: Zimmerman did, in fact, shoot and kill an unarmed black teenager. He admitted it. He even, disturbingly, later admitted to feeling no regrets and that the incident was “God’s plan”.
Think about that for a second: It was, according to Zimmerman---a man with a history of calling the police whenever he saw a black person walking in his neighborhood, a man whom even some family members and close friends considered “racist”---God’s plan to violently end the life of a young man whose only crime was being black, who did nothing to actually provoke Zimmerman.
Zimmerman’s story---that Martin attacked him, got him on the ground, and began beating him to the point that Zimmerman feared for his life, resulting in him pulling out his concealed weapon---has never been refuted, and never will, by Martin, since Martin is dead.
Fortunately for Zimmerman, the facts of his story were never really refuted by the prosecution, either. His story simply didn’t add up, and nobody---except Martin’s family members and friends---during the trial ever questioned it with any scrutiny. Unfortunately for justice, Zimmerman has already been tried for the crime and is now walking free.
How was an undeniable murderer acquitted by a jury of peers and able to go free?
Lisa Bloom, in her book “Suspicion Nation: the Inside Story of the Trayvon Martin Injustice and Why We Continue to Repeat it”, attempts to answer the question. In so doing, she expertly shines a spotlight on the insidious racism that infects the U.S., a racism built on a 200-year-old history of institutionalized black oppression, media-driven fears, and a culture that glorifies violence, specifically gun violence. It is a deeply-rooted racism that helps to explain how Zimmerman and Martin met on that rainy night in a Florida suburb, resulting in the murder of an innocent young man and his killer getting away with it.
Bloom convincingly describes a show trial that was, from the very beginning, one that the prosecution never had much interest in conducting. It was only due to a groundswell of angry public opinion that convinced the state that a trial should be held. Due to this fact alone, according to Bloom, the normal preparations and intensity of oversight that would normally accompany a prosecution was seriously lacking. Vital witnesses were never coached or properly vetted. Gaping holes in Zimmerman’s story were never thoroughly questioned, if at all. Lackluster opening and closing statements---opportunities that could make or break a trial---were sloughed off or downplayed.
Everything, according to Bloom, hinged on the fact that Florida was a Stand Your Ground state, one of almost 30 in the U.S., which says that a person, feeling imminent threat or death, may justifiably use force. It’s sometimes referred to as the “shoot first” law. It is a highly controversial law, to say the least, and many critics point to some studies that show that homicide rates have increased, rather than declined, in Stand Your Ground states.
Zimmerman’s case was, according to law enforcement, a textbook Stand Your Ground case: Zimmerman felt that his life was threatened, and he took actions to defend himself. Except his story breaks down at nearly every point when confronted with the physical evidence.
Bloom points to several key pieces of evidence that were dismissed or completely ignored by the prosecution.
The first key piece of evidence had to do with Zimmerman’s gun, the murder weapon---a black KelTec 9mm PF-9 semiautomatic handgun---and its placement on his body. Numerous times during his sworn testimony and repeated, unquestioned, by his defense team, Zimmerman stated that his concealed weapon was always inside his waistband and always in the small of his back.
As Bloom points out, this fact “completely contradicted and made virtually impossible Zimmerman’s story about the most critical moment in the incident: that Zimmerman was pinned down on his back, Trayvon was on top, straddling him, punching him, and suddenly Trayvon saw and reached for the gun, leaving Zimmerman no choice but to draw his weapon and shoot. (p.27)”
Surprisingly, the prosecution didn’t think to question how, if the gun was concealed behind Zimmerman’s back, Trayvon “saw” it and tried to grab it. Nor did they question how, if he was pinned to the ground by a (presumably) strong black male who was hitting him, Zimmerman could so easily pull his weapon.
A simple demonstration in the courtroom may have been enough to cast reasonable doubt on Zimmerman’s story, but it never happened.
Another key piece of evidence came from Rachel Jeantel, a friend of Trayvon’s who was the last person to hear him speak before he died. Indeed, she may have heard the few seconds right before his death, as he was speaking to her on his cell phone when the run-in with Zimmerman happened. She not only heard Zimmerman’s voice asking Trayvon what he was doing in the neighborhood, but she heard an audible thump right before the call was dropped.
This is significant because the audible thump may have been Zimmerman hitting or shoving Trayvon. If so, it contradicts Zimmerman’s story that Trayvon hit first.
Unfortunately, Jeantel’s testimony was not given much weight for several reasons. The six-person jury was predominantly white. Jeantel, a young black girl, besides being soft-spoken, also spoke in a very “urban” black dialect, one that the jury had a hard time understanding. This is documented several times throughout the court transcript, as jurors repeatedly stopped Jeantel in the middle of her testimony to repeat herself, either because they couldn’t hear her or because they didn’t understand what she was saying.
Much of this might have been avoided if the prosecution had done any kind of coaching or preparing the witness, a simple “speak up” and “avoid slang terms”. None of this was done. Jeantel, who was already a shy and nervous girl to begin with, was forced to sit in an empty waiting room for hours until she was called to the stand. She had no idea what to expect.
The sad fact is that her testimony would have been extremely useful in undermining Zimmerman’s story more fully, but, instead, her testimony was quickly forgotten and the poor girl became somewhat of a joke among the jurors.
There was also a key piece of evidence that was never brought to the attention of jurors at all: Zimmerman’s checkered history of racist behavior.
During the eight years that Zimmerman lived in the neighborhood, he made forty-six calls to the police to report “suspicious behavior” by young men he saw wandering in the neighborhood. Every single call he made to the police involved a young black man. That’s a 100% track record of racial, and racist, profiling, especially considering that none of the young men were guilty of anything, according to police follow-ups. Even the lead detective in Zimmerman’s case was on record as noting that Zimmerman seemed to overwhelmingly target young black men in his overzealous (and completely unauthorized) neighborhood watch campaign.
None of this information was related to the jury.
That the Zimmerman trial was a travesty of justice is a given, but what is not so clear is whether it is an isolated incident or whether it is indicative of a deep-rooted systemic racism that infects not only the justice system but every aspect of American society. Bloom is convinced that it is the latter, and one would be hard-pressed to fault her logic.
During the trial and afterward, many attempts were made---by law enforcement, the media, and the general public---to paint Trayvon as a criminal, as if he somehow deserved to die.
There were attempts made to paint him as a drug addict. (He had trace amounts of marijuana in his system, but nothing to indicate that he was anything but a recreational user.)
There were attempts made to paint him as violent. (Family members and friends nicknamed him “Mouse” because he was so quite and laid-back. People who knew him well recalled a fun-loving, funny young man who wouldn’t hurt a fly.)
There were attempts made to paint him as stupid and a high-school delinquent. (He had been suspended three times from school; once for tardiness, once for writing “WTF” on a locker with a Sharpie, and once for possession of a plastic bag with marijuana residue. As someone who has taught in school districts in predominantly black cities, I can attest to the fact that schools are quick to suspend black students for “crimes” that would get white students a mere slap on the wrist. Out-of-school suspensions are ridiculous, outside of truly egregious incidents such as fighting.)
What is wrong with our society that a kid like Trayvon can be murdered so cold-bloodedly on the street, that his killer could go free, and that he must endure, posthumously, some of the most vile and disgusting attempts at defamation and degradation of his character?
Much of it is due to a bleak history that isn’t that distant: “On average, an African-American man, woman, or child was hanged, generally by a white mob, once a week, every week, between 1882 and 1930, as police actively participated or stood by and condoned the murders. Lynchings continued until the 1950s, as thousands of black Americans were hanged for offenses like “disputing with a white man.” (p. 233)”
This level of hatred and dehumanization of a segment of the population isn’t so easy to turn off. Just because laws change doesn’t mean minds do.
Racism, for many, was forced to go underground. It lingered just under the surface, beneath smiles and pleasantries.
It showed up, however, quite frequently on TV shows, movies, and on the news, where black people were portrayed as almost an alien species, with their on form of dress, their own speech, and their own brand of violent behavior, one that could not be tamed or stopped except by force.
This fear-mongering by the media simply helped to reinforce the already-negative views many white people had of blacks, which explains why so many people walk around with views like Zimmerman, that black people are untrustworthy, morally shady, criminal.
It’s a view that is shared by many people---defense attorneys, prosecutors, judges---within the justice system, as evident by the disproportionate number of black people in prisons.
Here are some disturbing statistics:
***“In at least fifteen states, blacks are admitted to prison on drug charges twenty to fifty-seven times more than whites, though blacks and whites use at the same rates, and whites are more likely to sell drugs. (p. 228)”
***“For first-time child offenders, African-Americans are six times as likely as whites to be sentenced to prison for identical crimes. (p. 229)”
***“[O]ne who takes the life of a white victim is at least four times more likely to receive a death sentence than one who takes the life of an African-American victim. In a study from the state of Georgia that was used for the basis of a race discrimination claim that went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, a defendant who had killed a white victim there was sixteen times more likey to get the death penalty. (p. 230)”
Don’t let anyone convince you that we live in a post-racial or post-racist society. Point to these statistics if you want to, although be prepared to not be believed. One can’t reason with the irrational, and racism isn’t rational. What happened to Trayvon wasn’t rational. What enabled a killer like Zimmerman to go free isn’t rational.
The only rational thing we can do is to continue to fight for justice and to stand up against racism whenever we see it.
Think about that for a second: It was, according to Zimmerman---a man with a history of calling the police whenever he saw a black person walking in his neighborhood, a man whom even some family members and close friends considered “racist”---God’s plan to violently end the life of a young man whose only crime was being black, who did nothing to actually provoke Zimmerman.
Zimmerman’s story---that Martin attacked him, got him on the ground, and began beating him to the point that Zimmerman feared for his life, resulting in him pulling out his concealed weapon---has never been refuted, and never will, by Martin, since Martin is dead.
Fortunately for Zimmerman, the facts of his story were never really refuted by the prosecution, either. His story simply didn’t add up, and nobody---except Martin’s family members and friends---during the trial ever questioned it with any scrutiny. Unfortunately for justice, Zimmerman has already been tried for the crime and is now walking free.
How was an undeniable murderer acquitted by a jury of peers and able to go free?
Lisa Bloom, in her book “Suspicion Nation: the Inside Story of the Trayvon Martin Injustice and Why We Continue to Repeat it”, attempts to answer the question. In so doing, she expertly shines a spotlight on the insidious racism that infects the U.S., a racism built on a 200-year-old history of institutionalized black oppression, media-driven fears, and a culture that glorifies violence, specifically gun violence. It is a deeply-rooted racism that helps to explain how Zimmerman and Martin met on that rainy night in a Florida suburb, resulting in the murder of an innocent young man and his killer getting away with it.
Bloom convincingly describes a show trial that was, from the very beginning, one that the prosecution never had much interest in conducting. It was only due to a groundswell of angry public opinion that convinced the state that a trial should be held. Due to this fact alone, according to Bloom, the normal preparations and intensity of oversight that would normally accompany a prosecution was seriously lacking. Vital witnesses were never coached or properly vetted. Gaping holes in Zimmerman’s story were never thoroughly questioned, if at all. Lackluster opening and closing statements---opportunities that could make or break a trial---were sloughed off or downplayed.
Everything, according to Bloom, hinged on the fact that Florida was a Stand Your Ground state, one of almost 30 in the U.S., which says that a person, feeling imminent threat or death, may justifiably use force. It’s sometimes referred to as the “shoot first” law. It is a highly controversial law, to say the least, and many critics point to some studies that show that homicide rates have increased, rather than declined, in Stand Your Ground states.
Zimmerman’s case was, according to law enforcement, a textbook Stand Your Ground case: Zimmerman felt that his life was threatened, and he took actions to defend himself. Except his story breaks down at nearly every point when confronted with the physical evidence.
Bloom points to several key pieces of evidence that were dismissed or completely ignored by the prosecution.
The first key piece of evidence had to do with Zimmerman’s gun, the murder weapon---a black KelTec 9mm PF-9 semiautomatic handgun---and its placement on his body. Numerous times during his sworn testimony and repeated, unquestioned, by his defense team, Zimmerman stated that his concealed weapon was always inside his waistband and always in the small of his back.
As Bloom points out, this fact “completely contradicted and made virtually impossible Zimmerman’s story about the most critical moment in the incident: that Zimmerman was pinned down on his back, Trayvon was on top, straddling him, punching him, and suddenly Trayvon saw and reached for the gun, leaving Zimmerman no choice but to draw his weapon and shoot. (p.27)”
Surprisingly, the prosecution didn’t think to question how, if the gun was concealed behind Zimmerman’s back, Trayvon “saw” it and tried to grab it. Nor did they question how, if he was pinned to the ground by a (presumably) strong black male who was hitting him, Zimmerman could so easily pull his weapon.
A simple demonstration in the courtroom may have been enough to cast reasonable doubt on Zimmerman’s story, but it never happened.
Another key piece of evidence came from Rachel Jeantel, a friend of Trayvon’s who was the last person to hear him speak before he died. Indeed, she may have heard the few seconds right before his death, as he was speaking to her on his cell phone when the run-in with Zimmerman happened. She not only heard Zimmerman’s voice asking Trayvon what he was doing in the neighborhood, but she heard an audible thump right before the call was dropped.
This is significant because the audible thump may have been Zimmerman hitting or shoving Trayvon. If so, it contradicts Zimmerman’s story that Trayvon hit first.
Unfortunately, Jeantel’s testimony was not given much weight for several reasons. The six-person jury was predominantly white. Jeantel, a young black girl, besides being soft-spoken, also spoke in a very “urban” black dialect, one that the jury had a hard time understanding. This is documented several times throughout the court transcript, as jurors repeatedly stopped Jeantel in the middle of her testimony to repeat herself, either because they couldn’t hear her or because they didn’t understand what she was saying.
Much of this might have been avoided if the prosecution had done any kind of coaching or preparing the witness, a simple “speak up” and “avoid slang terms”. None of this was done. Jeantel, who was already a shy and nervous girl to begin with, was forced to sit in an empty waiting room for hours until she was called to the stand. She had no idea what to expect.
The sad fact is that her testimony would have been extremely useful in undermining Zimmerman’s story more fully, but, instead, her testimony was quickly forgotten and the poor girl became somewhat of a joke among the jurors.
There was also a key piece of evidence that was never brought to the attention of jurors at all: Zimmerman’s checkered history of racist behavior.
During the eight years that Zimmerman lived in the neighborhood, he made forty-six calls to the police to report “suspicious behavior” by young men he saw wandering in the neighborhood. Every single call he made to the police involved a young black man. That’s a 100% track record of racial, and racist, profiling, especially considering that none of the young men were guilty of anything, according to police follow-ups. Even the lead detective in Zimmerman’s case was on record as noting that Zimmerman seemed to overwhelmingly target young black men in his overzealous (and completely unauthorized) neighborhood watch campaign.
None of this information was related to the jury.
That the Zimmerman trial was a travesty of justice is a given, but what is not so clear is whether it is an isolated incident or whether it is indicative of a deep-rooted systemic racism that infects not only the justice system but every aspect of American society. Bloom is convinced that it is the latter, and one would be hard-pressed to fault her logic.
During the trial and afterward, many attempts were made---by law enforcement, the media, and the general public---to paint Trayvon as a criminal, as if he somehow deserved to die.
There were attempts made to paint him as a drug addict. (He had trace amounts of marijuana in his system, but nothing to indicate that he was anything but a recreational user.)
There were attempts made to paint him as violent. (Family members and friends nicknamed him “Mouse” because he was so quite and laid-back. People who knew him well recalled a fun-loving, funny young man who wouldn’t hurt a fly.)
There were attempts made to paint him as stupid and a high-school delinquent. (He had been suspended three times from school; once for tardiness, once for writing “WTF” on a locker with a Sharpie, and once for possession of a plastic bag with marijuana residue. As someone who has taught in school districts in predominantly black cities, I can attest to the fact that schools are quick to suspend black students for “crimes” that would get white students a mere slap on the wrist. Out-of-school suspensions are ridiculous, outside of truly egregious incidents such as fighting.)
What is wrong with our society that a kid like Trayvon can be murdered so cold-bloodedly on the street, that his killer could go free, and that he must endure, posthumously, some of the most vile and disgusting attempts at defamation and degradation of his character?
Much of it is due to a bleak history that isn’t that distant: “On average, an African-American man, woman, or child was hanged, generally by a white mob, once a week, every week, between 1882 and 1930, as police actively participated or stood by and condoned the murders. Lynchings continued until the 1950s, as thousands of black Americans were hanged for offenses like “disputing with a white man.” (p. 233)”
This level of hatred and dehumanization of a segment of the population isn’t so easy to turn off. Just because laws change doesn’t mean minds do.
Racism, for many, was forced to go underground. It lingered just under the surface, beneath smiles and pleasantries.
It showed up, however, quite frequently on TV shows, movies, and on the news, where black people were portrayed as almost an alien species, with their on form of dress, their own speech, and their own brand of violent behavior, one that could not be tamed or stopped except by force.
This fear-mongering by the media simply helped to reinforce the already-negative views many white people had of blacks, which explains why so many people walk around with views like Zimmerman, that black people are untrustworthy, morally shady, criminal.
It’s a view that is shared by many people---defense attorneys, prosecutors, judges---within the justice system, as evident by the disproportionate number of black people in prisons.
Here are some disturbing statistics:
***“In at least fifteen states, blacks are admitted to prison on drug charges twenty to fifty-seven times more than whites, though blacks and whites use at the same rates, and whites are more likely to sell drugs. (p. 228)”
***“For first-time child offenders, African-Americans are six times as likely as whites to be sentenced to prison for identical crimes. (p. 229)”
***“[O]ne who takes the life of a white victim is at least four times more likely to receive a death sentence than one who takes the life of an African-American victim. In a study from the state of Georgia that was used for the basis of a race discrimination claim that went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, a defendant who had killed a white victim there was sixteen times more likey to get the death penalty. (p. 230)”
Don’t let anyone convince you that we live in a post-racial or post-racist society. Point to these statistics if you want to, although be prepared to not be believed. One can’t reason with the irrational, and racism isn’t rational. What happened to Trayvon wasn’t rational. What enabled a killer like Zimmerman to go free isn’t rational.
The only rational thing we can do is to continue to fight for justice and to stand up against racism whenever we see it.
February 14, 2014
A vital, urgent, and fascinating book. It reads like a courtroom drama but also gives a big picture look at race and the legal system in our country.
March 23, 2014
I won this book from the Goodreads website.
Unfortunately, for those who followed the story, the book does not really give any new information that has not already been discussed. It does, however, a great job of pointing out some of the mistakes made by the prosecution during the case. First, they did not expose Zimmerman’s earlier calls to 911, which had overt racist innuendo and overtones, despite the fact they had won the earlier case that gave them the power to do so. Also, due to the location of Zimmerman’s holster, the story he told in the court room could have easily been proven impossible. These, along with mistakes made regarding professional and other witnesses, were discussed in Ms. Bloom’s book. Zimmerman supporters will not be swayed by her arguments and observations, and Martin supporters will have their thoughts regarding the case re-affirmed. This is a divisive case that incites strong emotions, so I will keep my personal thoughts out of this.
I took a legal class last year, and many of these issues were discussed, along with others. Some legal and psychological researchers also did some experiments related to the case. These, unfortunately, proved that oftentimes, race does play a large role in the criminal justice system (as does money, ie. affluenza). This aspect of our criminal justice system does need to be addressed further, in order to guarantee fairness and/or equality to all.
Overall, this book provides an excellent summary of the case and some of the many factors that affected the outcome.
Unfortunately, for those who followed the story, the book does not really give any new information that has not already been discussed. It does, however, a great job of pointing out some of the mistakes made by the prosecution during the case. First, they did not expose Zimmerman’s earlier calls to 911, which had overt racist innuendo and overtones, despite the fact they had won the earlier case that gave them the power to do so. Also, due to the location of Zimmerman’s holster, the story he told in the court room could have easily been proven impossible. These, along with mistakes made regarding professional and other witnesses, were discussed in Ms. Bloom’s book. Zimmerman supporters will not be swayed by her arguments and observations, and Martin supporters will have their thoughts regarding the case re-affirmed. This is a divisive case that incites strong emotions, so I will keep my personal thoughts out of this.
I took a legal class last year, and many of these issues were discussed, along with others. Some legal and psychological researchers also did some experiments related to the case. These, unfortunately, proved that oftentimes, race does play a large role in the criminal justice system (as does money, ie. affluenza). This aspect of our criminal justice system does need to be addressed further, in order to guarantee fairness and/or equality to all.
Overall, this book provides an excellent summary of the case and some of the many factors that affected the outcome.
March 30, 2014
Lisa Bloom is one of the most passionate, thought-provoking authors I've read in the last few years. I loved her book "Think" and so I wanted to pick this one up as well. I had actually somehow avoided hearing anything about the Trayvon Martin case, so it was a fascinating guide to racial injustice and a bit of a disheartening tale of the continued segregation and racism in our country. I really respect her as a person, not only for the civil rights work she does, but for being willing to openly discuss racism and controversial issues that most of us like to ignore. The book discussed this case specifically, as well as overall gun laws and other related legalities.
March 11, 2014
This was one of the most informative and moving books I've ever read. It was fascinating, devastating and inspiring. I admire her talent for backing up her arguments with solid examples of research. She eloquently exposes a deep and heartbreaking problem in America and in the individual reader. And yet, instead of leaving me feeling guilty and discouraged, I finally felt empowered with knowledge about an issue I believed I understood, but actually knew very little about.
I recommend this to everyone. Ever.
I recommend this to everyone. Ever.
January 15, 2015
This book really surprised me. It was very well written and written clearly. And, it is about far more than the trial. The author did her research and her ideas are well though out.
A sad book, but very insightful. I came away with the feeling that the case was deliberately thrown.
I will check out other books by this author.
A sad book, but very insightful. I came away with the feeling that the case was deliberately thrown.
I will check out other books by this author.
April 11, 2018
Wow I had no idea.
October 29, 2020
The Trayvon Martin case is worth learning more about and I appreciated the attention to details of the trial and how the courts function (or not). My heart goes out to his family. The transition from an individual case to the greater societal issue of systemic racism was a good way to bring attention to the racism machine that continues to allow black Americans to be treated as second class citizens, at best. The book was a little long and I although this wasn't meant to be an academic paper, I was surprised at the number of references that were news reports and articles rather than original data sources.
September 26, 2018
Lisa Bloom has used the evidence against George Zimmerman even less effectively than did the actual prosecutors. She argues it was impossible for Trayvon to see the gun because she claims the gun was holstered on Zimmerman's back. Zimmerman clearly indicated his gun was holstered on the rear of his hip, not in the middle of his back. Stretch the truth much, Lisa? Lisa Bloom goes further and claims the gun must have been out before the fight started. All of this bolsters the (erroneous) argument that it was Trayvon screaming for help (for over 40 seconds). Ms. Bloom does not even attempt to overcome what John Good testified to. You know, the guy who stood 20 feet away and saw Trayvon on top of Zimmerman, with Trayvon's arms moving downward in an MMA style event. John Good told the two "fighters" to knock if off. Did John Good say he saw a gun? (no, he didn't) Did Trayvon scream "he's gotta gun" (no, he didn't) Did Trayvon turn around and say "help me"? (no, he didn't) Did Trayvon stop or give up his dominant position? (no, he didn't) When John Good opened his sliding door and made himself known, Trayvon would have had help, no? Why does Lisa Bloom not want to address anything John Good testified to? She doesn't mention it, let alone address it.
Lisa Bloom criticized the prosecution for not providing a roadmap of events. Lisa Bloom is guilty of the exact same thing. She, too, did not provide a roadmap. Why does Lisa Bloom not answer the critical question of how Trayvon started running from region A, ran far beyond point B towards region C (all in the first 30 seconds from the point Zimmerman said, "he's running"), wait 3.5 minutes more (in complete safety), then return to point B? Point B was less than 200 feet South of region A, and region C was 300 feet South of point B. Give us the roadmap, Lisa!
I have never figured out what motive Lisa Bloom had in writing a book that pretends to be full of ha ha moments but is really just bunch of rubbish. The recent "Rest in Power" documentary, perhaps gives us one possible motive. Recall the recent "Rest in Power" documentary that was produced by Jay Z and The Weinstein Company. Harvey Weinstein, yes THAT Harvey Weinstein, was a client of none other than one Ms. Lisa Bloom. Does that surprise anyone? Does anyone find it strange that a bidding war for Ms. Bloom's book, "Suspicion Nation" was won by Jay Z and The Weinstein Company? Does anyone wonder if Lisa Bloom's motives in writing such a book began with the idea she could line her pocket book with proceeds from the absurdly rich (and absurdly disgusting) Harvey Weinstein? Were book sales important? Who really cares when screen rights were foreseeable - or even predictable? Regardless, Lisa Bloom proves she is nothing more than an opportunist. She is too smart to really believe the crap she wrote in her abomination of a book called "Suspicion Nation".
Lisa Bloom criticized the prosecution for not providing a roadmap of events. Lisa Bloom is guilty of the exact same thing. She, too, did not provide a roadmap. Why does Lisa Bloom not answer the critical question of how Trayvon started running from region A, ran far beyond point B towards region C (all in the first 30 seconds from the point Zimmerman said, "he's running"), wait 3.5 minutes more (in complete safety), then return to point B? Point B was less than 200 feet South of region A, and region C was 300 feet South of point B. Give us the roadmap, Lisa!
I have never figured out what motive Lisa Bloom had in writing a book that pretends to be full of ha ha moments but is really just bunch of rubbish. The recent "Rest in Power" documentary, perhaps gives us one possible motive. Recall the recent "Rest in Power" documentary that was produced by Jay Z and The Weinstein Company. Harvey Weinstein, yes THAT Harvey Weinstein, was a client of none other than one Ms. Lisa Bloom. Does that surprise anyone? Does anyone find it strange that a bidding war for Ms. Bloom's book, "Suspicion Nation" was won by Jay Z and The Weinstein Company? Does anyone wonder if Lisa Bloom's motives in writing such a book began with the idea she could line her pocket book with proceeds from the absurdly rich (and absurdly disgusting) Harvey Weinstein? Were book sales important? Who really cares when screen rights were foreseeable - or even predictable? Regardless, Lisa Bloom proves she is nothing more than an opportunist. She is too smart to really believe the crap she wrote in her abomination of a book called "Suspicion Nation".
July 19, 2014
In Suspicion Nation Lisa Bloom, a trial attorney and a legal analyst for MSNBC and NBC, carefully lays out the evidence in the Trayvon Martin murder trial and explains why the verdict was the prosecution's loss, not the defense's success as is often claimed. Failure to prepare witnesses--any witness from Rachel Jeantel to the medical examiner--failure to look carefully at the evidence, failure to provide the jury with a viable alternate theory of the crime were all present. It was a perfect storm of poor planning and lack of coordination. While she stops short of claiming that the prosecution threw the case on purpose, she says that the police didn't ever want to prosecute Zimmerman and they did a poor job as a result. She thinks that the prosecutors were equally lukewarm about this. According to the author, the prosecution assumed that the defense's scenario was correct.
She meticulously reconstructs the evidence and the events of that night leaving little doubt that Zimmerman was guilty as charged. For example, his gun holster was behind his back--as is visible in the police tapes of his reenactment--so there was no way that Trayvon could have seen or reached for it. She also points out that Zimmerman couldn't have had his head bashed on the concrete because the evidence pointed clearly to the struggle taking place on the grass. (The defense eventually conceded this point.) She makes a strong argument that the prosecution never actually looked at the evidence.
In addition, Zimmerman had multiple run-ins with the law prior to this. He had a long established history of domestic violence with multiple women. (This continues.) He had been charged two other times with attacking other men but never tried for a variety of reasons. She also provides clear evidence that he felt no guilt after killing Trayvon Martin. Readers can form their own opinions about what kind of man he really is.
The last part of the book is devoted to describing the long and continuing history of racial discrimination and mistreatment. She believes that conditions are better for African Americans now, but that few Americans are free of racial bias.
If you followed this case or are at all interested in this topic, I strongly recommend this book. It was a quick read and riveting one.
She meticulously reconstructs the evidence and the events of that night leaving little doubt that Zimmerman was guilty as charged. For example, his gun holster was behind his back--as is visible in the police tapes of his reenactment--so there was no way that Trayvon could have seen or reached for it. She also points out that Zimmerman couldn't have had his head bashed on the concrete because the evidence pointed clearly to the struggle taking place on the grass. (The defense eventually conceded this point.) She makes a strong argument that the prosecution never actually looked at the evidence.
In addition, Zimmerman had multiple run-ins with the law prior to this. He had a long established history of domestic violence with multiple women. (This continues.) He had been charged two other times with attacking other men but never tried for a variety of reasons. She also provides clear evidence that he felt no guilt after killing Trayvon Martin. Readers can form their own opinions about what kind of man he really is.
The last part of the book is devoted to describing the long and continuing history of racial discrimination and mistreatment. She believes that conditions are better for African Americans now, but that few Americans are free of racial bias.
If you followed this case or are at all interested in this topic, I strongly recommend this book. It was a quick read and riveting one.
November 4, 2020
Couldn't get past the first part "A Winnable Case is Lost" to get to "Fear and Lawlessness in Suspicion Nation." It's all just the author's assumptions and conclusions. I had to stop reading when the hypothetical examinations and cross-examinations started. It read like someone's screenplay rather than anything grounded in fact. Unfortunately, I just couldn't force myself to read more than half the book due to these fictional interludes. Despite the title of the book, there is no "inside story" here.
March 28, 2014
I hope that many, many Americans will read this book and become more sensitive to the issues that it raises: racism's effect on American culture, guns, and our legal system. Lisa Bloom brings a common sense perspective to the issues that dominate the Trayvon Martin shooting. She lays out specifically what the prosecution in that case could have and should done in that case to get a conviction. I really recommend this book to everyone.
November 26, 2014
I've read some critical reviews of this book that got facts wrong, like, "Lisa Bloom didn't interview any of the witnesses," or "Lisa Bloom offers a television personality's take on the trial." Well, 1. Yes, she does, and 2. She's smart and self-aware and this book is great. Another one for the required reading pile. It's depressing and horrifying and seriously important.
December 21, 2014
Another book that should piss you off for all the right reasons...
September 3, 2021
Summer of 2020: after a conversation in which neither I nor my mother could reliably recall the specifics of the Trayvon Martin injustice, and therefore lacked a coherent foundation of facts to discuss our differences of opinion about it, I was frustrated. I tracked down this book to learn the specifics of the case.
Publicized cases include unknowns and speculations while the case is unfolding, and the news reporting process is not geared to revisit, clarify, and correct as time goes on. Therefore, as a conscientious news consumer, I heard of this event in multiple news reports over months/years of time, yet never managed to get a clear picture of what happened. Therefore, I am grateful for this journalist's reporting work during and after the trial, shedding light on how this case was winnable, but ultimately was not conducted in a manner that held George Zimmerman accountable for the life he took.
Publicized cases include unknowns and speculations while the case is unfolding, and the news reporting process is not geared to revisit, clarify, and correct as time goes on. Therefore, as a conscientious news consumer, I heard of this event in multiple news reports over months/years of time, yet never managed to get a clear picture of what happened. Therefore, I am grateful for this journalist's reporting work during and after the trial, shedding light on how this case was winnable, but ultimately was not conducted in a manner that held George Zimmerman accountable for the life he took.
July 28, 2018
A good breakdown of how Trayvon Martin was denied justice. The second half is an introduction to a number of social/political problems (racial bias, gun law, educational inequality) and how each contributed to the world that allowed this injustice to occur.
A quick and provocative read. Highly recommended.
A quick and provocative read. Highly recommended.
October 7, 2017
Part 1 of this book was repetitive and hard to get through. However, in Part 2, Lisa Bloom provides an analysis of racial bias in America and gun control laws that provide a socio-historical context to why cases like Trayvon Martin's often are repeated and so frequently end as a case of injustice.
August 12, 2019
How did George Zimmerman pull out his handgun that was behind his back, while on his back with his arms pinned down by a straddling "crazed" Trayvon Martin? Lisa Bloom wants to know as well. Mrs. Bloom spotlights the prosecutions utter failure in this case and how a young man who simple did not know why the older George Zimmerman was following him. I would attack a random stranger too if they came at me like George did to Trayvon. Ultimately what it comes down to is a scared man who carries a gun to defend himself, because he lacks any martial arts ability, starts following a "suspicious" man which later leads to a struggle and a gun shot. Was it necessary, in my opinion it was not.
Great read.
Great read.
October 30, 2023
This is a must read for every American! Taught me so much about our fucked up judicial system and our racial biases and the cycle of mass incarceration for black people in the US. A lot of eye opening studies cited and a lot of interesting information!
March 9, 2019
Excellent argument for gun control
April 1, 2025
biased, terminally woke garbage.....
February 21, 2026
Bone chilling and infuriating.
November 17, 2016
I like Lisa Bloom's voice. It is soothing and powerful at the same time. When combined with the words in her book, it is attention grabbing. In part one, Suspicion Nation presents how the Trayvon Martin case could have been tried with more due diligence. The behind the scenes information she provided showed that every story has many interpretations with the truth often silenced. In part two, Bloom provides statistics about gun laws, ownership, and use throughout the world and particularly in the US. She also demonstrates how we all have racial and ethnic bias. Its what we do with this bias that makes the difference.
January 10, 2020
Written by a lawyer. First hand account of the trial of Trayvon Martin's killer. Well written. Almost as an aside, she uses the evidence to prove the killer guilty. Gives her best analysis of why the acquittal.
Interesting chapter on implicit bias.
Interesting chapter on implicit bias.
November 27, 2017
Propaganda
I thought that the arguments in the book were merely propaganda for a particular point of view -- namely, to legalize tighter gun control. The Trayvon Martin case was simply a means to that concealed end.
I thought that the arguments in the book were merely propaganda for a particular point of view -- namely, to legalize tighter gun control. The Trayvon Martin case was simply a means to that concealed end.
October 27, 2014
I really didn't want to read this book. I heard Lisa Bloom give a talk recently and I perceived her as a "rock star" persona, playing to the crowd. And this is the third non-fiction book in a row I've read on race...I wanted a break from the topic. But, I recently joined a discussion group on what's happening in Ferguson (a suburb of my ST Louis). They wanted to read the book...so I reluctantly bought it.
The book is divided into two parts. The first being the Trayvon Martin case, the second being a discourse on race. The first part was very close to five stars for me. I had only followed the Trayvon case in a general sort of way...I didn't have the luxury of watching the trial on TV. I knew some blame had been cast upon the prosecution. Bloom must be an amazing attorney/debater and I couldn't help think that if I ever got into trouble, I would want her at bat for me. She makes some valid points and frankly makes the prosecution look like bungling boobs. Her main contention was Zimmerman said several times his gun was in his waistband in the back of his pants and Trayvon grabbed it while he straddled him. If he was lying on his back on the ground, how could Trayvon have seen the gun or gotten to it? She contends Zimmerman had his gun drawn from the get go. Another issue was with the biggest witness the prosecution had...his friend Jeantel and how woefully lacking the prosecution was in preparing her. They offered her little preparation, no emotional support and treated her almost as hostile.
It's useless to theorize what happened. As the dead can't speak, we only have Zimmerman's side. But all the prosecution had to disprove, was that Zimmerman's suspicion, ultimately fear, was "reasonable"...not reasonable eliminates self defense (ie, you can't say "he looked at me sideways and I was afraid so I shot him"...that's not "reasonable.") How could his suspicion have been reasonable? Even on the phone with the police, Zimmerman offered no more than "he looks suspicious." If he was afraid, why did he follow him? He wasn't afraid, because he had a gun. Bloom states Zimmerman's suspicion using a syllogism:
1. two black burglars had robbed a house in the neighborhood.
2. Trayvon was black.
3. Therefore, Zimmerman was suspicious of Trayvon and that suspicion of Trayvon was reasonable.
The prosecution, who never played the race card (in a trial that was all about race), basically conceded this point.
You might as well say, (Bloom's example):
1. Nine out of ten child molesters are male.
2. Eduardo is male.
3. Therefore, Child Protective Services should take his kids away.
Zimmerman's logic extrapolates backwards from a small subset (burglars) to a large group (black males). It's just not reasonable. We need some "Mind Your Own Business Laws", not more "Stand Your Ground." Zimmerman's racial bias and unreasonable fear, set this whole tragedy in motion. And if you think you don't suffer some bias, google "Implicit Bias Test." Harvard has one. You can pick your minority...LGBT, Muslims, Christians...take your pick. The test is free and cheat-proof. Even almost half of the African Americans taking the test for racial bias, get results of having preference for European people. How disheartening is that?
The second part was three stars. Same old stuff, same statistics blah blah, although she does it eloquently. She tackles "Black on Black crime." She argues against the statement, "blacks commit all the crimes", talks about the prison system. She takes them all on. She's a great debater.
All that being said, there were some holes in the book. There seemed to be parts of the trial she never addressed. My assumption was that she only put forward parts she took issue with or thought were botched. IDK. It gave it a lopsided feel to me or not very thorough.
In short, it's an easy read. But, I think most people have made up their mind about this case by now. I doubt reading this book will change many opinions. If you believe in Zimmerman's guilt, this book will affirm what you know, maybe providing more detail and depth. If you believe Zimmerman is innocent, this book will only infuriate you. Don't go there.
The book is divided into two parts. The first being the Trayvon Martin case, the second being a discourse on race. The first part was very close to five stars for me. I had only followed the Trayvon case in a general sort of way...I didn't have the luxury of watching the trial on TV. I knew some blame had been cast upon the prosecution. Bloom must be an amazing attorney/debater and I couldn't help think that if I ever got into trouble, I would want her at bat for me. She makes some valid points and frankly makes the prosecution look like bungling boobs. Her main contention was Zimmerman said several times his gun was in his waistband in the back of his pants and Trayvon grabbed it while he straddled him. If he was lying on his back on the ground, how could Trayvon have seen the gun or gotten to it? She contends Zimmerman had his gun drawn from the get go. Another issue was with the biggest witness the prosecution had...his friend Jeantel and how woefully lacking the prosecution was in preparing her. They offered her little preparation, no emotional support and treated her almost as hostile.
It's useless to theorize what happened. As the dead can't speak, we only have Zimmerman's side. But all the prosecution had to disprove, was that Zimmerman's suspicion, ultimately fear, was "reasonable"...not reasonable eliminates self defense (ie, you can't say "he looked at me sideways and I was afraid so I shot him"...that's not "reasonable.") How could his suspicion have been reasonable? Even on the phone with the police, Zimmerman offered no more than "he looks suspicious." If he was afraid, why did he follow him? He wasn't afraid, because he had a gun. Bloom states Zimmerman's suspicion using a syllogism:
1. two black burglars had robbed a house in the neighborhood.
2. Trayvon was black.
3. Therefore, Zimmerman was suspicious of Trayvon and that suspicion of Trayvon was reasonable.
The prosecution, who never played the race card (in a trial that was all about race), basically conceded this point.
You might as well say, (Bloom's example):
1. Nine out of ten child molesters are male.
2. Eduardo is male.
3. Therefore, Child Protective Services should take his kids away.
Zimmerman's logic extrapolates backwards from a small subset (burglars) to a large group (black males). It's just not reasonable. We need some "Mind Your Own Business Laws", not more "Stand Your Ground." Zimmerman's racial bias and unreasonable fear, set this whole tragedy in motion. And if you think you don't suffer some bias, google "Implicit Bias Test." Harvard has one. You can pick your minority...LGBT, Muslims, Christians...take your pick. The test is free and cheat-proof. Even almost half of the African Americans taking the test for racial bias, get results of having preference for European people. How disheartening is that?
The second part was three stars. Same old stuff, same statistics blah blah, although she does it eloquently. She tackles "Black on Black crime." She argues against the statement, "blacks commit all the crimes", talks about the prison system. She takes them all on. She's a great debater.
All that being said, there were some holes in the book. There seemed to be parts of the trial she never addressed. My assumption was that she only put forward parts she took issue with or thought were botched. IDK. It gave it a lopsided feel to me or not very thorough.
In short, it's an easy read. But, I think most people have made up their mind about this case by now. I doubt reading this book will change many opinions. If you believe in Zimmerman's guilt, this book will affirm what you know, maybe providing more detail and depth. If you believe Zimmerman is innocent, this book will only infuriate you. Don't go there.
March 3, 2014
Suspicion Nation was an amazing book for me to read. I usually am not all that into books about change is needed in America or learning the hidden secrets about our so called "Wonderful Country". I mean those books are boring and do not grab my attention whatsoever, and those are the kind of books you "read" at school (or use spark notes for).
The reason why I came to read this book is because I want to become a cop, and in one of my Criminal Justice class we talked about Stand Your Ground Law, Sociology we have talked about race, and in Government we talk about anti/pro guns. Now that I am going into college I want to understand how our country works and get a better understanding as to what I am in for. And let me tell you....this book has changed me and how I view people for the better. This book has made me become a better person.
The first part of the book is about the Trayvon Martin case and what mistakes the prosecutors made. This part of the book is more for those people who are interested in Law. Lisa Bloom gives great indirect tips on how to use all the evidence you have to defuse the opposing argument. However, the prosecutors did not seem all that interested in convicting Zimmerman. The prosecutors was not all prepared and did not use their key evidence to their full potential! Lisa explains to us (the readers)how they could have won the case and goes through it step by step.
The second part of the book is what intrigued me the most. It mainly talks about white people view other races, specifically African American. Lisa shows us the true colors of America and how utterly disappointing it is. For example, it talks about why we fear African Americans, even though we should fear our family and our neighbors. It also talks about gun control towards the end of the book, which opened my eyes a little more to making me more anti-gun.
This book showed me we Americans all are prejudice even though we may not know it. This book is such a good read, and Lisa Bloom does a great job keeping your attention. The only downfall there was so much information in the first part I could never read more than a chapter if that. Other than that, Suspicion Nation is an amazing book that ALL Americans should read.
Stars: *****
5 stars
The reason why I came to read this book is because I want to become a cop, and in one of my Criminal Justice class we talked about Stand Your Ground Law, Sociology we have talked about race, and in Government we talk about anti/pro guns. Now that I am going into college I want to understand how our country works and get a better understanding as to what I am in for. And let me tell you....this book has changed me and how I view people for the better. This book has made me become a better person.
The first part of the book is about the Trayvon Martin case and what mistakes the prosecutors made. This part of the book is more for those people who are interested in Law. Lisa Bloom gives great indirect tips on how to use all the evidence you have to defuse the opposing argument. However, the prosecutors did not seem all that interested in convicting Zimmerman. The prosecutors was not all prepared and did not use their key evidence to their full potential! Lisa explains to us (the readers)how they could have won the case and goes through it step by step.
The second part of the book is what intrigued me the most. It mainly talks about white people view other races, specifically African American. Lisa shows us the true colors of America and how utterly disappointing it is. For example, it talks about why we fear African Americans, even though we should fear our family and our neighbors. It also talks about gun control towards the end of the book, which opened my eyes a little more to making me more anti-gun.
This book showed me we Americans all are prejudice even though we may not know it. This book is such a good read, and Lisa Bloom does a great job keeping your attention. The only downfall there was so much information in the first part I could never read more than a chapter if that. Other than that, Suspicion Nation is an amazing book that ALL Americans should read.
Stars: *****
5 stars
June 15, 2014
This is an important book. It is not light reading as far as subject matter, but Lisa Bloom writes fluently, fluidly, clearly, cogently, and oh dear, I, a writer have just thrown out so many forbidden adverbs onto the pages. Suspicion National is ever so well researched.
As a trial lawyer, she details how the "winnable case was lost" An only nonwhite juror tells her story of loneliness and isolation during the trial. The states key witness was not prepared. Bloom leaves no legal detail unexamined.
Trayvon Martin's name and the trial of George Zimmerman, marked a razor blade edge into our world. Lisa Bloom covered the Zimmerman trial from "gavel to gavel." The inside flap of this book suggests that with the election of Barack Obama, America had moved into a post racial era of equality.
I did not feel so. Racism is pernicious, institutionalized, not talked about,and skin color privilege still abounds in our nation, and indeed the world. Bloom is the legal anaylyst for The Today Show, NBC News and Avvo.com, and she appears regularly on CNN, HLN and MSNBC.
In the end, Bloom places the death of Trayvon Martin in the larger context of the history of race and violence in the United States. She further speaks to the question of gun laws and gun rights. Trayvon Martin would be alive today if George Zimmerman did not have a gun.
More importantly, the book points out a vital imperative to study our nation's biases and cultural blind spots. Suspicion Nation is also about us. "At the root of all of it is fear--overblown fear of crime, inordinate fear of stranger, deep-seated fear of difference, and in particular, lingering, unspoken fear that African Americans are criminals. So many of us are suspicious. through new, in-depth interviews of key trial participants. We eye each other warily. And in the twenty-first century America, that fear is often armed, locked and loaded. And so the body count continues to rise, in an atmosphere of lawlessness." (p. 3) This is a sad, but necessary accounting/story, and theinsights gained by people of white skin are immeasurable.
May 6, 2014
This is a very well written work of nonfiction. Often books of this type can come off as preachy, or dry. Bloom has a way of explaining the facts in a clear, non-accusatory way that meticulously lays out all of the wrong turns of the Travon Martin/George Zimmerman debacle as well as all of the social constructs and preconceived notions that resulted in the outcome of the court case and others like it. This book is both informative and entertaining.
The first half of the book looks at every aspect of the trial. What was said, what wasn't said, and what wasn't allowed to be discussed. She explains all of the legal aspects in a way that is accessible to the lay person. Even if you watched the trial everyday, you would most likely not grasp what she does as a legal expert. The results are eye opening.
The second half of the book talks about why, in general, we are "all a little bit racist", even if we are loathe to admit it, and on a very deep seeded level. As she explains, realizing how this works in our brains and the social situations that exacerbate this problem; this is the first step in changing our society towards a more egalitarian nation. Though the second half focuses mostly on race and the inequalities that exist in our society, the author also discusses gun control and "stand your ground" laws.
Some of this material may be uncomfortable to digest, but it helps to explain where we have come from as a society and where we are going, and expresses hope that we can learn from our mistakes, and advance given our desire for equality and justice.
The first half of the book looks at every aspect of the trial. What was said, what wasn't said, and what wasn't allowed to be discussed. She explains all of the legal aspects in a way that is accessible to the lay person. Even if you watched the trial everyday, you would most likely not grasp what she does as a legal expert. The results are eye opening.
The second half of the book talks about why, in general, we are "all a little bit racist", even if we are loathe to admit it, and on a very deep seeded level. As she explains, realizing how this works in our brains and the social situations that exacerbate this problem; this is the first step in changing our society towards a more egalitarian nation. Though the second half focuses mostly on race and the inequalities that exist in our society, the author also discusses gun control and "stand your ground" laws.
Some of this material may be uncomfortable to digest, but it helps to explain where we have come from as a society and where we are going, and expresses hope that we can learn from our mistakes, and advance given our desire for equality and justice.
February 3, 2017
It's not easy to rate this book "really liked". I really DIDN'T like what I read. However, the author is credible, the book well-researched and fully conceived, in that it covers not only the travesty of middle-school boy Trayvon Martin's murder and the subsequent trial and acquittal of his murderer in Florida, but also covers America's murky history, our obsession with guns, our extreme fears of "Other", and our failure to live up to the moral and legal values we espouse. I wanted to learn more about this case. I already knew that there is no justice in our Justice System. I already knew that racism pervades our country. I did learn more about all these subjects. All even worse, and more disturbing and depressing than I anticipated. And as a country we seem to be headed backward.
Here's a quote from the book: "Not talking about race has not worked for us, not in doctor's offices, police stations, nor in courtrooms. Not talking about race allows the fallacy to continue, that there are only two options, perfect colorblindness or overt racism."... And here's a quote from writer T'Nehisi Coates that is relevant: "In the Black community, it's the force they deploy, and not any higher American ideal, that gives police their power. This is obviously dangerous for those who are policed...For if the law represents nothing but the greatest force, then it really is indistinguishable from any other street gang." Read the book and weep.
Here's a quote from the book: "Not talking about race has not worked for us, not in doctor's offices, police stations, nor in courtrooms. Not talking about race allows the fallacy to continue, that there are only two options, perfect colorblindness or overt racism."... And here's a quote from writer T'Nehisi Coates that is relevant: "In the Black community, it's the force they deploy, and not any higher American ideal, that gives police their power. This is obviously dangerous for those who are policed...For if the law represents nothing but the greatest force, then it really is indistinguishable from any other street gang." Read the book and weep.
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