Historian: 'Stand your ground' law could reinforce colonial stereotypes

Historian Dr Jerome Teelucksingh says the application of "stand your ground" laws in Trinidad and Tobago would reinforce colonial stereotypes that developed countries are superior and developing countries should mimic their lifestyles and laws.

He joined public discourse on the UNC proposed "stand your ground" legislation.

The laws give someone who believes their life is in danger the right to use force, including deadly force, in self-defence.

The Opposition promised to introduce such legislation if it won the next general election. There have been varying views on the proposed law.

Race, gender and ethnic relations in the Caribbean, Pan Africanism and Indo-Caribbean Diaspora in North America are among Teelucksingh's research interests. He is a lecturer at UWI.

In an e-mailed statement to Newsday, he said, “There is an unfortunate similarity between the US and TT. In both countries there is often racial profiling.”

He said in the 21st century, there had been cases in the US where people mistakenly entered the wrong driveway or home and were killed and the shooters were charged with first-degree or second-degree murder.

TT needed to examine alternative scenarios, he said.

If someone who was drunk, mentally challenged or autistic entered his yard, "Does it mean I can classify that person as a dangerous intruder? But, more importantly, would I now be protected by the law and have the right to use my legal gun to shoot that person?” he asked.

He said it could not be assumed that a person’s right to protect themselves and their property in TT was the same as in the US.

“The assumption by some citizens is that the ‘stand your ground law’ will create safety and be a deterrent, but it could create a different version of TT – a mini wild, wild West."

Teelucksingh referred to a recent study by the US Center on Public Safety and Justice at the University of Chicago which examined thousands of cases relating to these laws and concluded they promote violence.

A BBC article in April also cited the study, saying that statistics showed states with 'stand your ground' laws saw a rise in homicides by ten per cent or higher.

The centre’s director John Roman produced a study examining 53,019 cases involving the laws. The BBC quoted Roman as saying the laws also “tragically” increased racial disparities in the US criminal justice system.