By Ronald W. Weathersby

When asked most Americans say they want their president to be truthful and forthcoming. However, when the country’s first black president talked about his experiences with racial profiling as a young black man many political opponents took the chief executive to task for infusing politics in the Trayvon Martin tragedy.

Since a Florida jury acquitted George Zimmerman of all charges in the killing there have been numerous demonstration both supporting and against the decision by the all-female jury in Florida. But it seems that once again the president’s adversaries have gone out of their way to condemn him saying he either said too much or, too little.

In an interview with the Tribune, political commentator, Roland Martin said the president’s remarks were the right words at the right time.

“First and foremost it’s perspective,” Martin said referring to the discussion regarding racial profiling. “If you have it, it’s important to say it. Many people have no idea [about racial profiling] and when the president says it, it means something”

Martin’s take on the subject is contrary to what PBS host Tavis Smiley said recently on NBC’s Meet “Meet the Press” were he declared the president’s comments were “weak as pre-sweetened Kool-Aid.”

“I appreciate and applaud the fact that the president did finally show up,” Smiley said. “But … he did not walk to the podium for an impromptu address to the nation. He was pushed to that podium. A week of protests outside the White House, pressure building on him inside the White House, pushed him to that podium.”

Smiley’s remarks were tame compared to the onslaught on the president by the political right. Matt Drudge’s page spoke of “retaliation” by angry blacks. Columnist Michelle Malkin said Obama was attempting to “pour gas on the fire” for expressing compassion for Martin’s parents. And, Glen Beck revived his charge that Obama is a racist.

Curiously the right-wing did not criticize their own when they weighed in on the subject. Former Rep. Allen West and former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice have spoken in support of a federal investigation of the incident, without provoking a right-wing backlash.

Roland Martin

Martin, who is preparing to begin a new daily talk show on Radio One and TV One said that the criticism comes with being the nation’s chief executive.

“Any time you are the president you will get criticized. It comes with the territory. But, you have to do what’s important to you. I don’t think he was pushed, he could have been quiet. He [Obama] clearly understands what was going on within the White House and across the country.”

He went on to say that the 2012 shooting death of the 17-year-old Trayvon the 2012 shooting death of the 17-year-old Trayvon would be a watershed incident similar to the 1955 killing of Emmett Till in Mississippi which many say began the modern civil rights movement.

“Every movement has a start and I believe we are witnessing the beginning of a new era in activism across the country.”

His sentiments are shared by NCAA Board Chairman, Roslyn Brock who wrote recently that, “To bring about real change, we need to show our elected officials that we’re not going to forget Trayvon and that we’re determined to prevent this kind of tragedy from happening again.”

Recently in a show of political strength and determination thousands rallied in Nashville and in 100 cities across the country in peaceful demonstrations in an effort to raise the nation’s conscious about the Stand Your Ground Laws, racial profiling and economic injustice.

The Reverend Al Sharpton whose National Action Network mobilized the effort had this to say: “In more than 100 cities, not one brick thrown, not one window broken. No violence, nowhere.”

Later at a meeting in a church near Miami attended by Tracy Martin, the father of Trayvon Sharpton said Trayvon’s death will not be in vain.

“Just like I told him [Tracy Martin] then, I tell him now, we’re going to be here until we get justice.”

Sharpton, who has been viciously attacked by conservatives for his part in the aftermath of the killing, went on to say that Trayvon Martin would not be forgotten.

“He will be remembered as the victor who sparked change in the criminal justice system in the United States of America.”