What Race Is George Zimmerman?

Impact

Race has played a big role in the debate around the killing of Trayvon Martin. Zimmerman, who was charged with second degree on Wednesday, was initially confused as white by the media. But with the increased scrutiny by the media, we learned that Zimmerman has a Peruvian mother and a white father, making him hispanic, not white. 

Zimmerman's name, and ambiguous racial appearance, led some to believe that the Sanford police mishandled the case because of racial stereotypes at the outset. 

The killing of Trayvon Martin, a black teenager, has ignited a series of discussions about the criminal justice system in the U.S. But many believe race played a large role in the mishandling of the case by prosecutors and the police at the outset.

At Wednesday press conference announcing Zimmerman's charges, special prosecutor Angela B. Corey said, "We only know one category as prosecutors, and that’s a ‘V.’ It’s not a ‘B,’ it’s not a ‘W,’ it’s not an ‘H.’ It’s ‘V,’ for victim. That’s who we work tirelessly for. And that’s all we know, is justice for our victims.”

How do you think Zimmerman's race has effected the case so far?