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In such a case, the shooters would have to “reasonably
believe” that they or someone else is in imminent danger,
even if in hindsight that belief turns out to be wrong.
Deadly force could also be deployed to prevent commission of
a forcible felony such as a kidnapping or assault. Many
would agree with the bill, if this is how the bill would
actually serve its purpose.
However, please reread the language in the bill. It is
troubling particularly where it states “the shooters would
have to ‘reasonably believe’ that they or someone else is in
imminent danger, even if in hindsight that belief turns
out to be wrong.” This is where the African American
community must not be “bamboozle and hoodwinked.”
The eternal words of Malcolm X regarding political
maneuvering and how those maneuvering hurt the
African-American community during his times relate strongly
to the current political climate ultimate forms of trickery,
misperception and "deceit" is being perpetrated upon the
African American community today.
The bill expands on Ohio’s existing Castle Doctrine law,
which generally allows such force when confronted inside
someone’s own residence or vehicle by someone else not
legally permitted to be there.
“The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Terry Johnson (R., McDermott),
told the Senate Government Oversight and Reform Committee.
“A majority of states have adopted similar legislation,
including all of Ohio’s neighboring states.” He insisted his
bill is not “stand your ground,” although sponsors of a
variation on the theme recently introduced in the House,
Reps. Candice Keller (R., Middletown) and Ron Hood (R.,
Ashville), readily refer to their bill that way. (Toledo
Blade, 2019)
Sen Johnson’s bill would be dubbed the “Ohio Duty to Retreat
Act,” although it would chip away at situations under
current law in which a person must try to walk away before
using force. (Toledo Blade, 2019) Changing the name does not
change the bill original purpose. The stand your ground bill
was defeated and now the bill sponsors are trying too
hoodwink the public into believing that it is not a stand
your ground bill.
What are the dangers to the African-American community if
Senate
Bill 237 is passed? We have witnessed since many states that
have passed such a law, where African Americans have been
targeted by these laws. There are several high profile cases
and many other cases that have not been highly profiled
where African Americans have been shot.
Remember the language in the bill. In such a case, the
shooters would have to reasonably believe that they were in
danger, even if in hindsight that belief turns out to be
wrong.”
Cecil Thomas, a former Cincinnati police officer, painted
the picture of a white woman aggressively approached in the
street by a black man asking for money. Democrats on the
committee worried aloud that such a law might lead to an
increase in interracial shootings. (The Blade, 2019)
So understanding Malcom X, if this bill passes you've been
bamboozled! Hoodwinked!
Don't let yourself be hoodwinked into believing this is a
harmless law. Many of us only vote for the big elections, in
order for us to stop the hoodwinking, we must vote in all
elections. It’s the local, county and statewide elections
that impact communities of colors the most. |
