How do we talk about any issue in an election year?

Trayvon Martin.  Anyone who hears his name understands what is at stake, and the issues that underly the tragedy he is at the forefront of.  So why does Newt Gingrich call Obama's remarks about it "disgraceful" and "divisive"?  I think it's because it is an election year and the dogs have to attack each other because they're in the ring until Nov.  But maybe it's something much more sinister, and much less childish.  I believe it is because the dialogue we have publicly about race is ALWAYS taken out of context, and the people who don't want to deal with it are quick to toss a red herring into the ring, hoping that if there is a distraction the issue will just go away.  We will never deal with this prolific problem if we cannot be honest about what is going on.  And especially if our leaders take the lead in scuttling it under the rug.  The truth as I see it, is that this is something that has happened as long as I can remember.  And it has become a reality of life for myself, personally.  I have been stopped in NYC streets by plain clothes and uniformed officers on at least 3 separate occasions.  All while wearing a hoodie and sneakers.  The most harrowing was when I walked around Queensbridge after playing basketball headed to the subway.  A black van with dark tinted windows stopped in front of of me just before I crossed the street.  5 guys jumped out, 2 clearly with their hands on their weapons, and two others stpped and grabbed me.  The other said, "I saw you put something in your pockets, where's the weed?" The searched me turning my pockets inside out, insisting they were doing it for the good of the neighborhood.  Turns out what they saw me put in my pocket was a book, and when they let me go, they acted as if it was a justified volation of my civil rights.  It doesn't take a rocket scientist or bleeding liberal to admit that these stop and search (and sometimes shoot - ala Sean Bell) happen in predominately black, hispanic and arab neighborhoods.  It comes from the blinders people like Newt have to the huge problem America has with racism and unfair stereotyping, and with people like Newt whom we regard as a leader, we will never overcome it.  As a black man, it terrifies me to consider what could happen to my future son.  I am Trayvon Martin.  

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/03/gingrich-calls-obamas-trayvon-martin-remarks-disgraceful/