Dream Defenders Impacting Real Issues? Stand Your Ground, Racial Profiling, and School-to-Prison Pipeline

For almost four weeks, the Dream Defenders have been peacefully occupying the Florida Capitol.  They have the goal to affect change.  They are asking Governor Scott to call a special session of Florida legislature to address issues of “Stand Your Ground,” racial profiling, and the school-to-prison pipeline.  All of these issues are legitimate concerns, and many should support the Dream Defenders in their efforts because they should be OUR efforts.

For issues discussed in prior blog posts, Stand Your Ground (SYG) should be reviewed to see if it is being implemented and interpreted most effectively by jurisdictions in Florida.  Recently, I attended a forum at FAMU Law School, which focused on Florida’s SYG law.  Multiple state legislators were in attendance, including one of the original sponsors of the controversial legislation.  After a series of serious conversations during the event, the legislators appeared open to revisiting SYG.  However, who knows if that was real talk or political talk to appease the disappointed attendees!  Regardless, the Dream Defenders recognize that SYG creates circumstances where prejudices become “reasonable” and the subsequent fear might increase the likelihood of violence.  I would be happy to provide research that shows a fear of young minority males.

The Dream Defenders’ second issue is the racial profiling that occurs within this state.  While Governor Scott cannot fully eliminate the practice of racial profiling, he can provide leadership by asking the state legislature to review laws, policies, and practices that create an environment for this type of profiling to take place.  Florida is a fairly conservative state (in terms of state laws), where it is tough on offenders who use guns, sex offenders, and drug offenders.  However, the state appears to be more liberal in terms offenses that derive from racial profiling.  These types of (in)actions demonstrate the priorities of the state.

The Dream Defenders’ final issue is the school-to-prison pipeline.  This is an unfortunate reality, not only in the state of Florida, but across the entire country.  In many of the public schools, especially those in socially/economically disadvantaged areas, there are several policies that increase the likelihood of kids going from school to “prison,” or some aspect of the juvenile/criminal justice system.  For instance, zero tolerance policies allow for no discretion in sanctions when policies are violated.  Therefore, context and understanding are irrelevant.  These policies result in kids being suspended or expelled, which increases the likelihood of criminal justice contact.  Other school districts have programs where school infractions are downloaded and sent to local policies stations, allowing youth to have a record with law enforcement.

While some may feel the Dream Defenders are being unrealistic in their requests to the Governor, the fact is that there is a reasonable, logical, and empirical foundation for each request.  SYG, racial profiling, and the school-to-prison pipeline are all relevant issues in the state of Florida and beyond.  The criminal justice system is drastically impacted by all of these issues.  When many people think of racial profiling, they think of Black and Brown people being profiled.  When many people think of the school-to-prison pipeline (regardless of whether they agree with the term), they think of Black and Brown people.  When people think of SYG, it now has the face of Trayvon Martin, given the shooting and subsequent not-guilty verdict.  Given that these issues have a Black or Brown “face,” does it make you wonder why they are not getting the state’s attention?

Trayvon Martin-Jordan Davis: What Does it Say about Black Males?

What do Trayvon Martin and Jordan Davis have in common?  Both were young Black males who were fatally shot.  Although George Zimmerman was found not guilty by a jury of his “peers,” it is clear that the encounter occurred because of Zimmerman’s racial profiling.  As for Jordan Davis, he was shot and killed by Michael Dunn because Dunn felt “threatened” that the Black males in the car were going to kill him.  How many more times must unarmed young Black males die because of a perceived threat by someone with a gun?  Obviously, this is only two cases of many in the state (and nation for that matter), but it does provide a foundation for a discussion.

We live in a society that fears young Black males, and it is causing this group to have unnatural consequences.  For instance, Trayvon and Jordan both had untimely ends, leaving behind grieving parents, family, and friends.  Other Blacks recognize the negative view of them and must often speak, talk, walk, and dress in “code,” in order appear less “threatening” by others.  Where is the action?  Where is the anger?

People of all races and ethnicities rallied around the Trayvon Martin case.  In fact, Trayvon’s killing and all the case’s circumstances resulted in a movement to address racial profiling and injustice within the criminal justice system.  The not guilty verdict fueled the efforts of protestors and further motivated their calls to action.  Will the same happen for Jordan Davis?

Although Dunn is awaiting trial for Jordan’s killing, the underlying issue that led to the deaths of these two males have not been addressed by any legislator, executive, or criminal judge.  Again, Trayvon and Jordan died because they were viewed as threatening and dangerous.  Black males are systematically punished more harshly than Whites, even after ruling out offense seriousness and prior criminal record.  Therefore, this group appears to be viewed more threatening and dangerous when sentenced by criminal judges. As mentioned earlier, Black often “change” certain parts of themselves at work, in order to avoid being viewed as threatening and dangerous.  Do you see a theme?

Although it is very difficult to change people’s attitudes, the focus must remain on laws and policies that systematically attribute negative characteristics to Blacks.  Although the news and other media have almost stopped covering the movements that spurred from the Trayvon Martin shooting and subsequent verdict in Florida’s criminal court, the movement must continue and people must be steadfast.  As long as people, of all races, remain quiet, passive, and inconsistent in the movement, Blacks will continue being viewed as the criminal, dangerous, lazy, and threatening group.  Some may say, “Who cares how Blacks are viewed?”  Even some Blacks may have this view.  A response can be summed up by saying…. “Trayvon Martin,” “Jordan Davis,” “lack of resources,” “lack of jobs,” and “more punitive criminal punishments than other racial/ethnic groups.”  I care….do you?