"The assumption underlying [the original police and prosecution] ho-hum approach to the case was that Zimmerman had the right to self-defense but Martin — young, male, black — did not. The assumption was that Zimmerman would fear for his life in a hand-to-hand struggle but Martin — young, male, black — would not."
-Eugene Robinson

Also from hullabaloo: why was Zimmerman allowed to have a concealed firearm?