@Moment-in-Time,
Quote:After the prosecutor had worked to discredit Jeantel, my heart sank, because she was the one witness to the actual happening even though by cell.
I think you mean the defense, Moment-in-Time, not the prosecution. It was the defense attorney who worked to discredit her.
And I don't think he really succeeded, she stuck to her version of her conversation with Martin. But he really badgered her in other ways so she just wouldn't present to the jury well. The defense attorney's attitude toward her was extremely condescending and demeaning. It was a terribly humiliating ordeal for this young woman to go through, particularly the revelations about her literacy, her ability to read cursive script, etc. And none of those things were relevant to Martin's death. She didn't want to be involved in any of this, or to expose herself to any of this, but she really had no choice in the matter, she was the last person to speak with Martin, and her testimony was important.
What I found interesting was how sensitive Rachel Jeantel was to the social class difference between herself and Trayvon's mother. That's why it was so anxiety provoking for her to write Sybrina Fulton a letter about that last phone conversation she had with her son. It wasn't just that she didn't want to quote Trayvon as using language that might upset or offend his mother, Jeantel clearly felt uncomfortable about her own ability to write a proper letter to this very proper, college educated, lady. She had to have someone else actually write out the letter for her, so the letter would physically look good, better than she could write it out herself, and, she was so awkward and hesitant about getting involved she signed it with one of her nicknames rather than her full name. I found that all very touching in terms of how uncomfortable this young woman felt about the situation she found herself in, and how inexperienced she was in handling basic social interchanges, like a simple letter. She hadn't even been able to muster up the ability to attend Trayvon Martin's funeral, she really couldn't deal with it.
I'm glad I got to see Rachel Jeantel on two interview shows after her trial ordeal was over. When not under the stress of being on a witness stand, she is more relaxed, more poised, more confident, and really able to express herself quite well. She seemed quite nice and she is refreshingly candid. She did get a lot of good support from people who reached out to her after seeing what she went through in court, and in the social media as well. A radio talk show host offered to pay her tuition at any traditional black college of her choice, and she accepted his offer. I'm glad someone is giving her a chance at a better future, and I think she'll work hard to make the most of it. I don't think she's gotten many breaks in her life.
