Another so-called "Black" man* in Florida has lost his life in at the hands of a so-called "White" man. This happened over something as trivial as a parking spot no less. Of course my colleagues that are so called Black are upset by it. To me, and more than likely them as well, this looks like (is) second degree murder[1].
This is a convo between myself, a Voluntaryist, and a friend from Morehouse College who is brilliant but might not be a Voluntaryist quite yet that I think will help those not familiar with Voluntaryism understand how Voluntaryist see such incidents..REGARDLESS OF THE RACE DISTRACTION.
Thank you Brian for allowing me to share our dialogue.
Me: I think the push was enough to legally pull out and aim at the assailant but there was no charging or weapon brandishing I would say this is 2nd degree murder [if this wasn't a "Stand Your Ground" State].
Brian: This man waited for the father to go into store and then approached. it’s so clear it was pretext for the altercation.
Brian: And used racial epithets
Me: Brian Jones you control your own actions. People can call you names they just can't threaten you with physical force or initiate it. Ultimately the black dude initiated force and paid the price for doing so.
Keep your hands to yourself unless you are defending yourself from an imminent physical threat.
Brian: You think this mofo wouldn’t have pulled his weapon if main man had just run up and cursed him out? i beg to differ the outcome would be any different.
his fear for life doesn’t need a physical interaction as far as the law is concerned
Me: //you think this mofo wouldn’t have pulled his weapon if main man had just run up and cursed him out? i beg to differ the outcome would be any different. //
We won't know because main man came out initiating force. ;)
//his fear for life doesn’t need a physical interaction as far as the law is concerned//
Albeit, he def had one. I imagine you're correct. If I say I'm gonna blow your head of and start reaching; whether I actually brandish or not and you pull out blow me away, I'm sure nobody would convict you.
Brian: I would interpret a white man yelling at my gf ,via racial epithets, with the kids in the car as imminent physical threat. the type of shit cops sit back and watch. I wish homie had a tool on him. i really do. like get the hell away from my family.
indeed jail for the black man but shit maybe he’d be alive.
Brian: I hear you Kieran. i’m sure we’ll have plenty more times to see this from other circumstances. Florida on one.
Me: //i would interpret a white man yelling at my gf ,via racial epithets, with the kids in the car as imminent physical threat.//
You can but would prolly be wrong. If he isn't threatening actually physical harm or posturing such you got nothing.
//the type of shit cops sit back and watch. i wish homie had a tool on him. i really do. like get the hell away from my family.//
He might be in the same position at the dude that shot him, in jail, or dead. We will never know because he initiated force clear as day.
//indeed jail for the black man but shit maybe he’d be alive.//
maybe.
Me: This whole country on one. I mean Emmit Till's murders were found not guilty. Cops lynch ninjas daily.
Brian: Real shit!
Me: Needless to say, I think you know where I stand on government and statutes (not laws) in general.
But yeah mans was wrong to have push him and I think that man shooting him was wrong and committed second degree murder.
Legality is a terrible metric for morality.
Brian: Indeed, brother.
Conclusion: Keep your hands to your GOTDAM self. When in a "Stand Your Ground" state be particularly polite, especially if unarmed. Be polite if armed as well but consider shooting first if you cannot immediately deescalate ESPECIALLY if in an interracial spat and you happen to be so called Black. Remember: Don't talk to police; only to your lawyer. And when you do speak, under the advisement of legal council, make sure it's "I fear for my life." (the only time your should EVER shoot someone) and the necessary details the corroborate that narrative.
References:
- "Second Degree Murder Overview". FindLaw. Retrieved 10 September 2017.