Citizens need to change
After reading the column “Another victim of black blindness?” [Opinion, Dec. 2], I was ashamed that this nation cannot overcome the stereotypes of a person’s skin color.

Many people today believe this nation has overcome racism, while in reality, innocent African Americans continue to be shot over petty arguments or while getting a wallet out of their pocket. As a white person I know that I would not be shot for reaching into my pocket no matter the argument. This indicates that people are falling back on stereotypes and are seeing a gun that is not actually there.

In response to Michael Dunn’s case, one cannot judge whether he shot Jordan Davis with or without cause. I understand how one can believe that Dunn was a “victim of black blindness” but there is not enough evidence to prove that this is true. According to the Stand Your Ground Law, Dunn along with all citizens has a right to protect himself if he felt threatened.

However, this law could have been easily misused by Dunn as a “get out of jail free card.” In my opinion, it is the citizens, not the laws, that need to change. However, since the citizen’s eyesight won’t change, the laws need to.

—Avery Still, Seattle