One of the most terrifying things in the world for young African American men is knowing that certain people can feel threatened by you, simply by existing. Black blindness is a phenomenon that makes white cops see an imaginary gun on an African American man during a routine traffic stop. Sometimes, it can go hand in hand with the Stand your Ground Law. In 2012, the Tampa Bay Times found that those who killed African Americans using the law went free 73% of the time while those who killed white people using the law went free 59% of the time.
This controversial law offers protection to people who harm or kill someone who they feel threatened by. The ambiguity of the definition of threat under this law grants so much latitude that the law can often be abused. The Stand your Ground Law sets the bar incredibly low for what constitutes as a threat and when deadly force can be used to neutralize that so-called threat, it makes for a slippery slope.
In 2012, much of America was celebrating the re-election of the nation’s first African American president but just three weeks later in Jacksonville, Florida, the murder of an unarmed African American teenager was a bloody reminder of just how far we still have to go in the battle against racism.
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Sources:
The Associated Press, 27 November, 2012 – “Fla. Man Charged with Killing Teen Over Loud Music”
News & Politics Examiner, 28 November, 2012 – “Fla. Man Michael Dunn Pleads Not Guilty to Murder”
Chicago Defender, 29 November, 2012 – “White Man Kills Florida Teen Over Loud Music”
Atlanta World News, 30 November, 2012 – “Jordan Davis, Black Teen Allegedly Killed Over Loud Music Laid to Rest in Marietta”
The Christian Science Monitor, 30 Npvember, 2012 – “Jordan Davis Killed for Loud Music”
The American News, 1 December, 2012 – “Black Blindness to Blame?”
The Florida Times-Union, 2 December, 2012 – “From Celebration to Murder Charge”
The Guardian, 4 December, 2012 – “After Trayvon Martin, Jordan Davis”
The Times, 6 December, 2012 – “Gun Law Must Be Scrapped After Second Teenager Killed”
The Florida Times-Union, 16 December, 2012 – “Candles, Prayers in Gathering to Commemorate Jordan Davis”
Atlanta Daily World, 13 March, 2012 – “New Evidence Introduced in Jordan Davis Murder Case Including Pictures, 911 Calls”
The Florida Times-Union, 2 April, 2013 – “Jordan Davis’ Killer Didn’t Mention Seeing Gun to Girlfriend”
The Florida Times-Union, 16 April, 2013 – “Suspect Urged to Leave by Girlfriend New Court Records Shed More Light on Michael Dunn Case”
The Florida Times-Union, 25 October, 2013 – “Judge Unhappy Over Release of Dunn Letters”
Associated Press, 2 February, 2014 – “Echoes of Zimmerman Might be Heard in Fla. Trial”
ABC 9 WFTV, 6 February, 2014 – “Prosecutors Say Suspect in Loud Music Fled Scene, Ordered Pizza and Had Drink After Pulling Trigger”
The Associated Press, 6 February, 2014 – “Opening Statements in Fla. Loud Music Death Trial”
The Daily Beast, 6 February, 2014 – “A Killer’s Racist Rants”
The Florida Times-Union, 6 February, 2014 – “Witness Describe Night of Jordan Davis’ Death in Micahel Dunn Trial”
The Associated Press, 7 February, 2014 – “Officers Testify in Fla. Shooting Over Loud Music”
The Florida Times-Union, 7 February, 2014 – “Friends in SUV When Jordan Davis Died Describe What Happened”
The Florida Times-Union, 8 February, 2014 – “Fiancée of Accused Killer is Called to Testify Against Him in Court”
The Florida Times-Union, 10 February, 2014 – “Medical Examiner Testifies Jordan Davis Was Sitting in SUV Leaning Away From Dunn When Shot”
ABC – 9 WTFC, 11 February, 2014 – “Suspect Michael Dunn Testifies in His Loud Music Killing Trial”
Agence France-Presse, 11 February, 2011 – “US Man Defends Shooting Teen in Race-Tinged Trial”
Atlanta Daily World, 11 February, 2014 – “I had No Choice But To Shoot Jordan Davis Over Loud Music”
The Arizona State University, 11 February, 2014 – “Racism Takes a Turn for Self-Defence in Florida Trial”
The Associated Press, 12 February, 2014 – “Closing Arguments Start in Loud Music Death Trial”
The Associated Press, 12 February, 2014 – “Lawyers Make Arguments In Loud Music Deaht Trial”
The Florida Times-Union, 15 February, 2014 – “Jordan Davis Had Problems and Dreams”
The Michigan Chronicle, 15 February, 2014 – “My Son Will Never Be Just Another Day At The Office”
The Reporter, 16 FEbruary, 2014 – “A Fla Juror Looked at Jordan Davis and Saw a Criminal”
New York Post, 17 February, 2014 – “Loud-Rap Rage Killer Beat His Ex-Wives”
The Record, 17 February, 2014 – “Justice and The Matter of Race”
The Associated Press, 18 February, 2014 – “Music Death Suspect Compared Self to Rape Victim”
Chicago Defender, 17 October, 2014 – “Michael Dunn Sentenced to Life For Killing Jordan Davis”
Audio Sources:
“The Parents of Jordan Davis Want You To Know Their Son”
