President Barack Obama on Trayvon Martin Murder Trial Verdict: This "Could Have Been Me 35 Years Ago"

by Brett Malec Fri., Jul. 19, 2013 3:24 PM PDT

President Barack Obama spoke earlier today in response to last week's Trayvon Martin murder trial verdict, which found George Zimmerman not guilty and acquitted of all charges.

In the impromptu speech given at the White House today, Obama reacted both personally and as a member of the African-American community.

"When Trayvon Martin was first shot, I said that this could have been my son," he said. "Another way of saying that is Trayvon Martin could have been me 35 years ago. When you think about why, in the African-American community at least, there's a lot of pain around what happened here. I think it's important to recognize that the African-American community is looking at this issue through a set of experiences and a history that—that doesn't go away."

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AFP PHOTO/Brendan SMIALOWSKI ; Martin Family

The commander in chief continued, "There are very few African-American men in this country who have not had the experience of being followed when they are shopping at a department store. That includes me. There are probably very few African-American men who have not had the experience of walking across the street and hearing the locks click on the doors of cars. That happens to me—at least before I was a senator. There are very few African-Americans who have not had the experience of getting on an elevator and a woman clutching her purse nervously and holding her breath until she had the chance to get off. That happens often.

"I don't want to exaggerate this, but those sets of experiences inform how the African-American community interprets what happened one night in Florida," Obama said. "And it's inescapable for people to bring those experiences to bear."

NEWS: Stars react to Trayvon Martin verdict

"The African-American community is also knowledgeable that there is a history of racial disparities in the application of our criminal laws, everything from the death penalty to enforcement of our drug laws," he said. "And that ends up having an impact in terms of how people interpret the case."

This past Saturday, Zimmerman was acquitted by a Florida jury of all charges stemming from the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Martin on Feb. 26 of last year.

PHOTOS: Stars meeting the prez

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Royal Baby Frenzy at St. Mary's for Nothing? Kate Middleton Could End Up Giving Birth Somewhere Else!

LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Image

The world may need to make a detour.

Media, passers-by and practically anyone else you can think of have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of Kate Middleton and Prince William's little prince or princess at St. Mary's hospital in London, but maybe that's not where the Duchess of Cambridge is going to give birth.

Gasp!

PHOTO: Kate stuns at final pre-baby public appearance

As previously reported, Kate has moved from lying low in Nottingham Cottage in London and relocated to her parents' home in Bucklebury to spend some time with her family before the baby's birth. However, Kate's parents' home is about 53 miles away from St. Mary's in London—the hospital where she is due to deliver.

Considering the fact that her due date has already passed—which means it can seriously be any day now—it seems a little risky to be so far from the famous Lindo Wing at St. Mary's.

With that said, the new royal may be welcomed at a hospital in Reading, a half hour away from Kate's parents' home.

LOOK: Check out Kate Middleton's birthing suite

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The Royal Berkshire Hospital, in the center of Reading, delivers almost 6,000 babies per year, and offers women the choice of giving birth on the labor ward or in the Rushey midwife-led birth center, which has four rooms themed on the four seasons, according to The Telegraph.

Earlier reports stated that aides have planned to take the duchess to the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading or a hospital in Bangor, near to their home on the Isle of Anglesey, if she goes into labor early or if there is a medical emergency. But if she is at Bucklebury and there is time, they are expected to take her into London to the Lindo Wing.

A palace source tells The Telegraph, "It is still a possibility that she could give birth there, though that would only be in extremis, as the expectation is that she will go to St Mary's."

PHOTOS: Check out these Kate Middleton pregnancy pics

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Selena Gomez's Real People Fashion: The Starlet Steps Out in a Look You Could Own!

Michael Simon/Startraksphoto

Usually when we see a "Stars...they're just like us" headline, it's because some A-lister went to the grocery store without make-up. That's not exactly a look or activity we normal people are dying to experience.

But Selena Gomez is a star who looks just like us in this adorable jeans and top look, and she's on a red carpet! Now that's an outfit and event we can get behind!

VIDEO: See our video celebration of Selena's big 21st birthday!

Let's pick apart Selena's style to see just how simple it is to copy.

It starts with a black, lacy button front cami—something one could easily grab at any shop in the mall. The former Disney star has hers paired with a cropped blazer that's equally easy to find. Next is skinny jeans with some mini tears. Most of us have a pair of those in the closet, and if they don't already have rips, they're super easy to tear up at home. And finally, black pointy pumps—a Payless staple.

Thank you, Selena Gomez. You've given us total faith in our ability to strut around like a super rich celeb!

PHOTOS: Check out more casual celeb styles you can copy!

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