Post date: Apr 10, 2012 10:41:51 AM
USA-Racial Conflicts -- Racial conflicts remain thorny in America
CCTV BEIJING - American racial conflicts have once again intensified by series of shooting cases of African Americans.
The Feb 26 shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin by George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watchman who said he acted in self-defense, has drawn international attention.
Martin, a high school student, was fatally shot while walking to the house of his father's fiancee in a gated community in Sanford, Florida. Zimmerman, 28, said he shot the teen in self-defense, and has not been arrested. The incident gained national attention and many, including the Martin family, believe that race was a factor.
In the Skate Park at the north western corner of Washington, DC, many young people from different racial backgrounds are playing together, with most of them at Martin's age.
"It affects me, because it can happen to anyone out here. It can happen to me at anytime. And I just feel like in danger because something like that happened," said Pedro Rich, a skateboarder at the park.
During the 20th century, American ethnic minorities underwent great transformations in their destinies. Starting in the mid 1950s, the civil rights movements greatly improved their fate in American society. Nevertheless, America's racial problems have not been entirely resolved.
The gap of wealth between Americans and ethnic minorities in the country reached a 20-year-high record in 2009.
Racial conflicts remain the most difficult social problem in America today.
More downloads available at http://newscontent.cctv.com
For any questions please call +86-10-63969499, or email [email protected]. If you want to learn more, please go to the CCTV website at http://newscontent.cctv.com.
© Copyright CCTV. The content in this story, including video and script is provided by China Central Television (CCTV) and is copyright CCTV. Thomson Reuters does not guarantee the accuracy of, or endorse the views or opinions given in, this package. THIS STATEMENT SUPERSEDES ALL OTHER STATEMENTS RELATING TO COPYRIGHT ATTACHED TO THIS CONTENT.