Race and Self-Defense Killings

Race and Self-Defense Killings

Top of Mind with Julie Rose

Race and Self-Defense, Immigration, Antibiotics, and Creativity

Episode: Race and Self-Defense, Immigration, Antibiotics, and Creativity

  • Jun 4, 2015 9:00 pm
  • 24:51 mins

Guest: Addie Rolnick, Ph. D., Professor of Criminal Law and Race Theory at University of Nevada, Las Vegas Boyd School of Law  Self Defense Laws are Top of Mind today. Across the nation, states are reviewing – and in many cases expanding – laws that allow people to use deadly force to protect themselves and their property. Sometimes known as “Stand Your Ground” laws – they’re at issue in recent high-profile cases in Nevada, Montana and Utah where people have killed trespassers and would-be attackers.  At the heart of these laws lies is the question of whether or not the person doing the killing was reasonable to feel threatened. That question is also wrapped up in the national debate over police shootings of civilians.  “The only time we want to say ‘killing is right’ is when there is no other option,” says Rolnick. “Stand your Ground” laws allow someone to claim self-defense even when retreat was an option.   Rolnick argues that race is always a factor, no matter how much someone may claim it wasn’t. “None of this requires intentional targeting of someone because of their race… it’s just something that operates on a subconscious level.”

Other Segments