Final answer:
The shooting of Trayvon Martin by George Zimmerman, and the subsequent events, highlighted issues of institutional racism and sparked the formation of the Black Lives Matter movement. Other cases, such as Michael Brown's and Emmett Till's, also underscore the problematic history of the criminal justice system's treatment of African Americans.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Impact of Race on Legal Proceedings
After the shooting of Trayvon Martin, an unarmed high schooler, by George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer, issues of institutional racism and racial profiling were brought to the forefront of public conversation. Despite Zimmerman's acquittal on the basis of self-defense, the case sparked widespread debate and the formation of the Black Lives Matter movement. This case, along with others such as the fatal shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, MO, and the non-indictment in the case of Emmett Till, illustrate a troubling history of the criminal justice system's treatment of African Americans. Similarly, the case where a black therapist was shot while unarmed and lying on the ground with his hands up further exemplifies this ongoing struggle. These events underscore the serious concerns regarding race relations in the United States and the treatment of African Americans by the legal system.