"If our father had treated us in the way the totem does..."

In Totem and Taboo, Freud explains totemism as an attempt by the guilty sons of the primal horde to reconcile with their murdered father, using the totem as a surrogate. While the sentiment of a covenant of respect for one's father is meaningful in itself, Freud also says that "totemism, moreover, contained an attempt at self-justification: 'If our father had treated us in the way the totem does, we should never have felt tempted to kill him.' In this fashion, totemism helped to smooth things over and make it possible to forget the event to which it owed its origin." Even though the "tyrannical father" of Freud's totem origin myth supposedly did much to earn the hatred of his sons, I can't help but think of the modern and historical issue of victim-blaming when I read that particular quote.

Victim blaming is defined as the act of holding the victim of a crime or any wrongful act entirely or partially responsible for the transgressions committed against them. Victim blaming has occurred throughout history in the aftermath of crimes of racism, rape, and, of course, murder. An example: on February 26th, 2012, 28 year-old George Zimmerman shot and killed 17 year-old Trayvon Martin. The investigation of the incident, Zimmerman's subsequent trial, and the controversy surrounding the entire crime quickly became racially charged due to the fact that Martin was African-American and Zimmerman appeared to be white (though it was later revealed that he identifies as Hispanic). Initially, the fact that Zimmerman followed Martin in the hours leading up to his death because he "looked suspicious" was used as evidence to indicate that it was a racially-based crime. But eventually, more evidence was brought to light which led to the understanding that it was Martin who first attacked Zimmerman, who then in turn killed Martin in self-defense. Zimmerman was subsequently acquitted of all charges.

Now, whether or not you believe that George Zimmerman was rightfully acquitted of the charges of second-degree murder and manslaughter, it remains a fact that victim blaming took place throughout the case. Trayvon Martin was repeatedly blamed for his own death or attacked with accusations in which his race played a large part. While talking about the case, talk show host Geraldo Rivera stated that “I am urging the parents of black and Latino youngsters particularly to not let their children go out wearing hoodies. I think the hoodie is as much responsible for Trayvon Martin’s death as George Zimmerman was,”  and that "he wore an outfit that allowed someone to respond in this irrational, overzealous way and if he had been dressed more appropriately..." Later, Officer Jason Giroir of the New Orleans Police Department made the internet post "Act like a Thug Die like one," in reference to Trayvon Martin. Both of these statements indicate the racial profiling involved in the case, and there are numerous other, less well-known examples of similar sentiments within the media and among news readers. But regardless of Martin's part in the incident, blaming him for his choice of clothing and his overall appearance effectively because he was not white shows how powerful victim-blaming can be in changing popular perceptions.

While the sentiment of blaming Trayvon Martin for his own death because of "acting like a thug" may not be quite the same as the sons of the primal horde justifying killing their father because he was "tyrannical" and would not share his women, the end result is the same. Those who committed the murder are able to assuage their guilt by rationalizing their actions, and in doing so they perpetuate the system that allows such actions to take place. To twist the quote from "Totem and Taboo": if Trayvon Martin had dressed appropriately as good teenagers do, Zimmerman should never have felt threatened enough to kill him.