Grandma Wears a Hoodie Too

The other day I had to stop and think twice before I left for my regular visit to the gym. You see, it was a little chilly outside and I reached for my green jacket---which just happens to be a Hoodie. Of course, Hoodies are in the news these days following the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. I put the Hoodie on, looked at myself in the mirror and thought, "What if I walked down the street in my neighborhood---would my white neighbors become frightened and call the police or would I discover we had our own version of a neighborhood watch captain who might become trigger happy?" After all, with a hoodie on I could pass for a man. It's a shame that I, as a grandmother, must deal with this subject.

The Lengths We Go to to Protect Our Grown Children

It is a parent's job to keep their children out of harm's way---but there is such a thing as over-protection and cover-up.

One might argue that is the case when it comes to 64-year-old Robert Zimmerman and his 28-year-old son George. We all know George as the pistol-packing self-appointed neighborhood watch volunteer who fatally shot 17-year-old Trayvon Martin on February 26 in Sanford, FL. We all know Martin was unarmed and only carrying a bag of skittles and an iced tea.

A month after the shooting, Robert Zimmerman has finally spoken out in defense of his son. Why it took so long is anybody's guess. He says his son is NOT a racist---as a push back to all of those who claim his son engaged in racial profiling and Martin was his target. He also says his son did what he had to do since he was being brutally attacked by the victim. It doesn't matter that the police video doesn't reveal George in a near death state.

Robert Zimmerman is doing exactly what he believes is the right thing to do---to support his child no matter what....to defend him to the end.

But here's the thing. George isn't a CHILD anymore and he didn't just turn 21. I don't fault Robert for giving love and support to his son but he must also realize that if he raised him well, his son will man up and take responsibility for his actions or at least be respectful enough to apologize.