SANFORD, FL (CNN) - On the tenth anniversary of the shooting of Trayvon Martin, we're now getting a look at the letters Zimmerman has been receiving.
Attorneys for the Martin family accuse him of racially profiling the 17-year-old and shooting him "in cold blood." Zimmerman says he shot Martin in self-defense. The case has divided the country.
Zimmerman has received hundreds of cards and letters from the public, expressing both support and outrage.
Until now, they have been the silent opinions, for and against, expressed directly to George Zimmerman. The hundreds of cards, letters and email that only now we are allowed to see.
As expected, we find words of encouragement to Zimmerman and harsh condemnation. But, in those hundreds of personal and often passionate notes, we were able to look a little deeper, to look for trends, and to possibly see what is driving so many deeply held opinions. And immediately there were some surprises.
The accusations of racism and profiling that dominated demonstrations a year ago are not so prevalent in notes written to Zimmerman. Of the emails condemning his actions, fewer than 10 percent call him a racist. Only about five percent accuse him of profiling.
The most common factor in opinions against Zimmerman may have its roots in that mental image of Trayvon Martin buying a pack of skittles and a can of ice tea at this convenience store before walking home to watch a basketball game.
The one thing Zimmerman critics mentioned most is Trayvon Martin's age; 41 percent, in fact, condemning Zimmerman's actions explicitly mention Trayvon Martin's youth. Some calling him a 17-year-old, a teenager, a young man; but most may have formed opinions based on the younger photos of Martin publicized early in the case calling Martin a "boy", a "kid", and a "child".
And many of the people writing notes of support to George Zimmerman seemed to be reacting to what they saw playing out right here in the streets of Sanford, Florida. Nearly a quarter of the people supporting Zimmerman objected to race being an issue in this case.
Some blamed the media, others blamed leaders of the protests, and some went even further to suggest a conspiracy at work or that Zimmerman was himself, a victim of racism.
A few made comments offering a possible glimpse into a racial divide and racially motivated resentment.
George Zimmerman is set to go on trial June 10.