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PUBLIC OPINION > The Zimmerman Controversy Is Going Too Far

SodaHead News 2012/04/02 21:00:00
George Zimmerman fatally shot Trayvon Martin on February 26, and it took about one month for the case to reach the national spotlight. Now it's easily the most controversial item in the daily news, dividing the public at every turn. In addition to the ambiguous details surrounding the shooting, a big part of the controversy concerns its racial implications. Some suspect Zimmerman attacked Martin because of his race, and as a result the case has taken on elements reminiscent of the Rodney King case in 1991. There's even a Twitter movement called #KillZimmerman demanding street justice. We asked the public if this is getting out of hand.

martin zimmerman sodahead

No one is short on an opinion when it comes to this case, but most people can agree that the whole thing is getting just a little out of hand. One thing we noticed from both sides of the argument was a finger pointed at the media. The Top Opinion read, "Newspapers and television news don't care whether or not [Zimmerman] might be innocent or guilty so long as it drives ratings up, they'd dance for joy while America burned if they got ratings." Sadly, it's probably true. Very little has been confirmed about the case, but the media has done an excellent job at recklessly speculating.

The Dividing Line

Obviously, there was a fine political line between the left and the right; liberals tend to give Martin the benefit of the doubt, and conservatives tend to give Zimmerman the benefit of the doubt. However, a third of liberals agreed the opposition against Zimmerman is going too far. It's one thing to take Martin's side, but resorting to further violence will only aggravate tensions further.

College Controversy

One of the only non-political demographics that came close to justifying the level of controversy was college students. It could be that the issue is being tossed around at greater velocity in university classrooms, where debate is generally encouraged. High school students did not feel the same.

More Women Want Resolution

Beyond politics and the classroom, there was very little difference of opinion. We suspected men would be more willing to continue the controversy, and that was true, but only by a small margin. Ultimately, it doesn't matter what side of the fence you're on. Most people just want to take it down a notch.

If you'd like to vote on this question, dig deeper into the demographics, or engage in existing discussion about the topic, visit our poll about George Zimmerman. We'd love to hear from you!
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  • critter171 tebearc... 2012/04/09 12:07:22
    critter171
    you don't want it to make sense
  • tebearc... critter171 2012/04/09 19:40:01 (edited)
    tebearcalvary
    I can't make sense of your rambling.
  • ryukochan 2012/04/02 22:59:40
    ryukochan
    +2
    You shouldn't be allowe to kill someone for hitting you, and that's the most lenient to Zimmerman story I've hear so far. Yeah, getting beat up sucks, but it's a lot better than getting killed.
    Personally, after listening to the 911 calls when they were released, I think Zimmerman's story is pretty flimsy. There needs to be investigation, and (imo) probably an arrest. After that, it's up to a judge and jury.
  • rhstarr 2012/04/02 22:58:02
    rhstarr
    +5
    This needs to be tired in a court of law not in the news.
  • RadChick♥ 2012/04/02 22:53:41
    RadChick♥
    No! He definitely deserves every hate comment he gets!
  • True~Male RadChick♥ 2012/04/02 23:20:48
    True~Male
    +4
    I'll disagree
  • RadChick♥ True~Male 2012/04/03 00:14:47
    RadChick♥
    Do you think it's OK that he just shot a boy who did nothing wrong?
  • gvc RadChick♥ 2012/04/03 00:47:45
    gvc
    +4
    Trayvon did something wrong....he attacked someone.
  • RadChick♥ gvc 2012/04/03 01:28:05
    RadChick♥
    what
  • gvc RadChick♥ 2012/04/03 01:44:58
    gvc
    +2
    You do understand English right?
  • HappyGuy gvc 2012/04/03 04:13:27
    HappyGuy
    MUST BE HISPANIC -LOL
  • Mr. Won... gvc 2012/04/03 03:41:27
    Mr. Wonderful
    Who told you, the Easter Bunny?
  • gvc Mr. Won... 2012/04/03 03:48:15
    gvc
    +2
    Are you seeing and hearing things again?
    Poor old soul, go take a little nap and come back if you are ever in your right mind again.
  • True~Male RadChick♥ 2012/04/03 03:42:07
    True~Male
    +1
    We don't know what he did yet ? Do We ?
  • gvc RadChick♥ 2012/04/03 00:47:07
    gvc
    +1
    No he doesn't!
  • RadChick♥ gvc 2012/04/07 20:00:08
    RadChick♥
    QUIT. I have my opinion and you have yours. Respect that.
  • gvc RadChick♥ 2012/04/07 22:06:51
    gvc
    I have NO respect for a person that promotes hate. Don't like that? Too bad!
  • RadChick♥ gvc 2012/04/09 23:54:48
    RadChick♥
    Because HE KILLED HIM. And you say THATS NOT hate? Haha, very funny.
  • gvc RadChick♥ 2012/04/09 23:59:17
    gvc
    Yes child I say that's not hate. Killing someone while defending your own life is not hate, it's survival.
    Grow up, come back when your brain fully develops.
  • RadChick♥ gvc 2012/04/20 00:48:08
    RadChick♥
    Thats not defense, what did he do? NOTHING.
  • gvc RadChick♥ 2012/04/20 00:59:04
    gvc
    Why don't you get some facts on the case and get back to me...ok? ughhhhhhh children
  • RadChick♥ gvc 2012/08/08 22:35:06
    RadChick♥
    How about you quit trying to prove something to me, that I don't think is okay. Leave me alone, I have the right to think what I want
  • gvc RadChick♥ 2012/08/08 22:53:55
    gvc
    I don't need to make you believe anything. Your opinion will not impact this case.
  • Louis Contreras 2012/04/02 22:52:23
    Louis Contreras
    +1
    It's time for everybody to step aside and let the various investigations to proceed.
  • twocrows Louis C... 2012/04/03 02:40:31
    twocrows
    now that those investigations have, finally, begun - - which they would not have done without a spotlight shining on this police department.
  • Trust Noone 2012/04/02 22:48:08
    Trust Noone
    +2
    This reminds me of the OJ in r
  • Fef 2012/04/02 22:48:07
    Fef
    +8
    Once again... the Liberals want more radical protests in favor of racial tensions and fear based on lies, falsehoods and unproven allegations
    trayvon politics
  • True~Male Fef 2012/04/02 23:21:45
    True~Male
    +2
    you're 100% correct --great assessment !
  • Mr. Won... Fef 2012/04/02 23:23:11
    Mr. Wonderful
    +1
    Hello Mr. Right Wing moron.
  • True~Male Mr. Won... 2012/04/02 23:42:48
    True~Male
    +1
    LOL --you're too much !! mR. wON--GET REAL !!
  • *Mahoga... Mr. Won... 2012/04/03 20:37:36
  • Joey Fef 2012/04/02 23:24:56
    Joey
    +2
    Like the unproven allegations the right have made about Mr. Martin. Did you complain when Holloway was in the news for years?
  • *Mahoga... Fef 2012/04/03 20:37:09
  • TimothyBrianFoley 2012/04/02 22:41:58
    TimothyBrianFoley
    when will they arrested him george zimmerman is cracking up everyday they have to arrest him
  • Fef 2012/04/02 22:41:32
    Fef
    +3
    The news media hasn't helped by editing the 911 call to spread hate and fear, which also may influence a future court trial against the shooter.
  • True~Male Fef 2012/04/02 23:22:48
    True~Male
    +2
    Will this man Zimmerman actually get a fair trail now ?
  • Mr. Won... True~Male 2012/04/03 03:43:12 (edited)
    Mr. Wonderful
    It will be a lot fairer than Matin who's six feet under ground.
  • True~Male Mr. Won... 2012/04/03 03:44:22
    True~Male
    +1
    Oh well , we'll just have to wait and see on that !!
  • william raggett 2012/04/02 22:41:10
    william raggett
    +5
    I just wonder when people are going to realize that the black civil rights groups are nothing but a joke. They try to make everything a racial issue even when it isn't. This gives them reconition and political pull because they get followers that our politicians are interested in to get more votes. People follow blindley and these group leaders just capitalize on their ignorance and it is really pitiful to watch
  • True~Male william... 2012/04/02 23:23:18
    True~Male
    +3
    They do , I'll agree 100%

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