I don't know. I doubt racism is the topical cause. Blacks are probably suspended disproportionately because they misbehave disproportionately. Getting at the root cause could likely uncover racism, and probably already has, as one of the main reasons blacks are at a disadvantage in American society, on average. If that's the case, then it's probable that a black student would be more likely than a white student to show up at school, under-rested, under-nourished, under-dressed, un-loved, and otherwise unprepared to learn. Hence, they misbehave and are more likely to be suspended.

I've had a lot of friends and relatives in education, and I was initially surprised to learn how prevalent social dysfunction is, cutting across racial and economic classes. However, as expected, blacks and hispanics are hit disproportionately harder.

a few thoughts i have on this whole mess
-it's not self defense when you start losing a fight you started.

No where did I hear the guy threw any punches at the kid and following someone is not starting a fight or some tailgaters would be getting a needed butt whoopin' often

-when your community has a history of racially uneven justice you should expect racial protests.

As much as you would like it to be Florida 2012 is not Mississippi 1950-60

-any kid should be very suspicious about strange men following them as they walk through a neighborhood.

+1 but being as the kid lived in the neighborhood he likely knew exactly who was following him as the guy was head of the watch and out there all the time. Maybe not but most likely.

-regardless of what happens in this case hopefully people will become aware of the dangers posed by psychologically messed up cop wannabees.

+1 there as well. Rent a cops and wannabees seem to take themselves far to seriously

-a quick and easy way to change the "stand your ground" gun law would be for the black community to start arming themselves and using the law to get away with killing "threatening" white people. even saint ronnie passed gun control laws as governor when the black panthers started carrying guns in public.

Anyone in any community can arm themselves. No law in Florida or anywhere else that states different races have different laws. Lame liberalism there. Very lame.

-i never want to live in a gated community... because i have to deal with the type of people who want to live in a gated community.

Funny Docspud figures the kid should know the shooter
Go Sox,
cds