U.S. not ready for ‘stand your ground’

Bradley D. Chapline, Las Vegas

Sunday, April 15, 2012 | 2 a.m.

If we expected a first-grade student to solve a question that involved a calculus formula, every American would say we were expecting too much, too soon. This analogy applies in the same manner to the “stand your ground” law. America is just not ready for this law. Maybe, in future years, but certainly not now.

I understand that in our era, generally, people of a particular ethnic group tend to fear others of differing origins. In my opinion, this type of “fear factor” has little or nothing to do with actual racial prejudice. It may be true to say that one day when a majority of Americans become accustomed and comfortable in devoting time with those of other cultures, then, and only then, will the “fear factors” of other ethnic groups greatly diminish.

The government enacted laws of desegregation. However, many Americans are not practicing it on a personal level. If we continue to sequester ourselves from other ethnic groups, we will tend to fall prey to thinking that people of other ethnicities are dangerous and evil. I believe the George Zimmerman/Trayvon Martin incident highlights this clearly.

There is little doubt in my mind that the evidence will come to show that both George Zimmerman and Trayvon Martin acted in order to justify their “fear factors.” This is precisely what makes this “stand your ground” law precarious.

One thing is for sure, the incident has bolstered interracial ill-feelings and bitterness.

The truth is, America has just not sufficiently grown together culturally to act responsibly under the guidelines set forth in this “stand your ground” law. Too much, too soon.