I have no idea what else Martin was wearing. But being black in a hoodie doesn't make you a gangsta wannabe. It was raining, perhaps the hood was to protect his head from the rain?
Fair enough. I assumed he was dressed like a thug.
No, he was just wearing a hoodie. I have a few hoodies myself, but I should be OK walking around town, since I'm white.
Not exactly. If you had your pants way down, showing your underwear....walked with that "gansta lean", and had your head down a bit with your hoodie up hiding yopur face...walking slow....looking at houses....yes you would be stopped, or looked at with suspicion. I have to admit, I would probably do the same, and have done so in the past. It isnt
racist. It is a generalization and a stereotype of a dress and behavoir. Unfortunately, many stereotypes exist because there is some truth to it. If I saw that dress and behavoir in my neighborhood, I would be suspicious, regardless of race.
I saw two african american kids walking near my neighbors house last year. Pants down, hoodies on with hoods up, and walking nice and slow. They had just broken into my neighbors house. As soon as I saw them, I was suspicious.
I didnt see two african american men in suits and ties. It is a stereotype yes, but one that has at least some truth to it.
EDIT: also, running is a suspicious behavoir....it would be to me if I asked someone what they were doing. If I was walking in my neighborhood, and some guy asked me what I was doing, I would say "I live here...right over there on 76th terrace", and not in a confrontational tone. That is behavoir that will likely not raise suspicion, or at least decrease it.
Not making any statements about this case in particular, but just pointing out that dress and behavoir of certain stereotypes will arouse suspicion....and there is some truth to the stereotypes.