My Trayvon reading and listening lists

The students in my rap class asked today if we could devote some time to discussing the Trayvon case. While it's not a "rap music" issue per se, many of the course themes were played out during the trial. Here is the list of readings and songs that I assembled for them. We will discuss the materials on Thursday.

Below are links to a variety of news article and video clips. Read/watch as many as you are inclined to.

• Immortal Techniuqe addresses race's role in the Zimmerman trial
• Rachel Jeantel caught in lies and confusing Ebonics  (if you watch this, look at the comments and also read this: Rachel Jeantel explained linguistically)
• Davey D on rioting after the verdict
• Charles Blow, "The whole system failed Trayvon Martin" (from the New York Times)
• Robin D.G. Kelley, "The U.S. v. Trayvon Martin: How the system worked" (via Huffington Post)
• Melissa Harris-Perry on parenting after the verdict (you should also watch the video, linked to earlier in the article).
• The Daily Show summarizes everything neatly...

Here are a few songs inspired by the Trayvon Martin case. I'm not sure that lyrics are available for some of them.

• Reef the Lost Cauze, "The Prey" (for Trayvon and my son)
• Jasiri X, "Trayvon"  (lyrics here)
• Mistah F.A.B., "God doesn't love me"
• Dead Prez, "Made you die"