Social Media Watch: Twitter, Facebook Explode After Zimmerman Verdict
By Shayla Mulzac

shayla mulzac

Shayla Mulzac

(TriceEdneyWire.com) - Editor’s Note: In the wake of the George Zimmerman verdict in the killing of unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin, Trice Edney News Wire intern, Shayla Mulzac, a senior in the Howard University School of Communications, was assigned to monitor her Facebook and Twitter accounts for reactions from her peers.

With Facebook first names removed for privacy and authentic social media language in tack, the following is an unedited compilation of some of the more pointed comments, illustrating anger and disbelief, but also a diversity of opinions and ways to take action:

  • “The good thing about the Zimmerman Case, is that our kids will be learning about this in school and discussing the morality of it. The more they know.”- Nicholas, Facebook.
  • “The gun George Zimmerman used to kill Trayvon Martin will be returned to him. ‪#WTF ‪#Zimmerman goes free wheres the justice? No Justice? ‪#War”-@DJKingAssasin,Twitter
  • “How in the hell did Zimmerman's defense fund raise $450,000 and Trayvon Martin's foundation only raised $150,000?? Everyone is sitting here appalled by the verdict but in actuality what are we as African Americans really doing? Voicing your opinions on social networks isn't going to change anything. Show your support where it actually counts. We can't expect other people to care about us when in actuality we don't even care about ourselves. Everyone's saying "Oh I wanna kill Zimmerman" etc. Thats our problem! Act like an animal, get treated like an animal. You can't fight ignorance with ignorance. Have a problem with the verdict? Become the next best lawyer and never allow this to happen again. Thought Rachel Jeantel sounded uneducated? Educate our youth because they are the future of tomorrow. It is a disgrace that this young lady could barely speak a proper sentence. Why in the United States of America are there students who are not being properly educated? Everyone was laughing at her lack of education but what are we doing to change this?! We as African American have to do better. If your not going to take a stand and help better our race just sit down. A lot of people are bothered by this case today, but will shoot up a BBQ tomorrow. I don't wanna hear it. We SERIOUSLY have to do better black people. With that being said, if you want to make a difference sign the NAACP petition to file civil rights charges in support of Trayvon Martin.”- Stephanie, Facebook
  • “After yesterday's verdict, I have never been so motivated to be phenomenal. It's okay with me that being a black male in this country means my life is nothing because through nothing is how you become something and if we aren't something after all we have done for this country already just imagine what we are capable of. Time to live up to that infinite potential God has blessed with. Let's be phenomenal and not forgotten!!!!!!!” - Brandon, Facebook
  • “I find it fitting that George Zimmerman will spend the rest of his life terrified that the guy behind him is a vigilante with a gun.”- @Morgan_murphy, Twitter
  • “Zimmerman's biggest verdict is on Judgement Day. What he deserves he will undoubtedly receive.”- @MaybachMusicGrp, Twitter
  • “Trayvon Martin supporters have suggested his parents will file wrongful-death civil lawsuit against Zimmerman: ‪http://apne.ws/1bAuoqA “-
  • “Zimmerman was bored so he decided to go outside and play, I'm a cop!!” – Shalanda Sharise, Facebook
  • “As I lay here this morning in the wake of the verdict, I hold my boyfriend close. I pray for all the males in my family, past, present and future. What if I son? How will I explain the injustices of this world? Why should I have to tell him that he has to be particularly careful in everything that he does and everything he wears because his life is not valued? All I can do right now is pray. Pray for God to grant us peace and understanding. ‪#‎IStillHaveHopeBecauseIHaveTo” - Kristal, Facebook
  • “Instead of saying "I am Trayvon Martin" it will do more good to recognize the ways in which you are George Zimmerman” - @unatronic, Twitter
  • “The night light in my room casted a shadow that looked like Trayvon Martin's hoodie on my wall. I had to sleep under the covers last night.” - @Dare_Re_Ya, Twitter
  • “Lets thank Florida for validating the "He snuck up on me when I was following him from behind" defense. ‪#trayvonmartin” - @ItsDJPhenom, Twitter
  • “If George Zimmerman would've stayed in his car and observed Travyon Martin from a distance, Trayvon Martin would be alive. ‪#RipTrayvonMartin” - @SVG2diw0rld
  • “If George ‪#Zimmerman had not had a gun, he'd have never got out of his car that night, and Trayvon Martin would still be alive.” –  @brownskin_lo, Twitter
  • “heart broken for the Martin Family. This world we live in is sick, smh praying for the family & trusting God has a reason.” - @PAMH, Twitter
  • “Welcome to America where young Black men are killed daily and nothing is done about it. May God be with The Martin family ‪#RIPTrayvonMartin” - @Gary_Sethi, Twitter
  • Trayvon Martin Gets No Justice And Yet Y'all Wonder Why Black People Commit Most Crimes In Our Society... ‪#NoJustice ‪#RipTrayvonMartin - @
  • “Had Zimmerman listened to the dispatcher and not try to be a police officer, trayvon would still be here. ‪#RipTrayvonMartin”- @PreciousMonet_
  • “Wow. So Florida... just to be clear, when is it NOT okay to track down and shoot an unarmed teenager? ‪#RipTrayvonMartin”- VanessaMorgan , Twitter