There has been an outpouring of anger and concern because of the actions of George Zimmerman, a private citizen who profiled a young boy and pursued him and tried to confront him, perhaps. But what George Zimmerman did is no different than what police officers do every day as a matter of standard operating procedure.

The quote "There has been an outpouring of anger and concern because of the actions of George Zimmerman, a private citizen who profiled a young boy and pursued him and tried to confront him, perhaps. But what George Zimmerman did is no different than what police officers do every day as a matter of standard operating procedure," by Michelle Alexander, comments on the racial dynamics and systemic issues within law enforcement and vigilante actions. Alexander, a civil rights advocate and author of The New Jim Crow, draws a parallel between the controversial actions of George Zimmerman in the shooting of Trayvon Martin and the routine actions of law enforcement officers in their encounters with people of color.

In this quote, Alexander addresses the intense anger and public outcry that followed Zimmerman's actions, which many viewed as racially motivated. Zimmerman profiled and pursued Trayvon Martin, ultimately leading to the tragic shooting of the unarmed teen. Alexander's statement, however, challenges the perception of Zimmerman as an isolated case. She argues that his behavior—profiling and pursuing a person based on racial assumptions—is not unique to Zimmerman but is, in fact, similar to the practices seen in police departments across the country, particularly when it comes to interactions with Black individuals.

By comparing Zimmerman’s actions to police officers' daily practices, Alexander points out the broader issue of racial profiling and the systemic injustices that disproportionately affect people of color. The reference to standard operating procedure suggests that these actions are so ingrained in the system that they are seen as routine rather than exceptional. This comparison aims to highlight the normalization of such behaviors within the justice system, where anger and distrust often arise due to perceived and real racial bias.

Ultimately, Alexander's quote calls attention to the systemic nature of anger and concern surrounding racial profiling and violence, emphasizing that George Zimmerman's actions, though shocking in a personal context, reflect larger, deeply embedded practices within law enforcement. It serves as a critique of the justice system and its failure to address the pervasive issue of racial inequality and bias in policing.