On Wednesday May 26, 2010, The National Rifle Association (NRA) filed suit against the Wilmington Housing Authority of Wilmington, Delaware for prohibiting tenants from owning guns. Their argument is that such a policy is a violation of Second Amendment rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution specifically says, "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." Furthermore, in 2008 U.S. Supreme Court in The District of Columbia v. Heller, ruled that the Second Amendment secures an individuals right to own firearms. With that in their holsters, the NRA has also sued public housing authorities in San Francisco, Portland, Maine, Washington, DC and Newark, New Jersey.
While brilliant, the framers of the US Constitution were not visionaries in that they could predict that this would someday establish the land of milk and honey as the leader in per capita gun deaths among industrial nations. If they were, I am certain they would have added additional language to the protections to bear arms. Furthermore, the idea behind the Second Amendment had more to do with "homeland security". Our founding fathers wanted to make sure that our nation and it's citizens were able to defend itself from foreign invaders and a federal government gone rogue.
Who new that a proliferation of guns would flood our communities and ill-willed U.S. citizens would be toting them. Who new that this protection would make possible the assassinations of U.S. Presidents Abraham Lincoln in 1865, and of Presidents James Garfield, William McKinley, and John F. Kennedy. Or the murders of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Presidential hopeful Bert Kennedy. Or noted killings that include the Columbine High School massacre, The DC Beltway shootings, the Virginia Tech massacre. Who new that poverty would lead to crime and criminals would turn to guns as a tool to acquire their idea of the American Dream? Who knew that our nation would grow a large population of those overwhelmed with despair and other who are just deviant or disturbed and these individuals would turn to guns to ease their pain? Who knew we'd witness a time in which every couple of minutes someone in our nation is shot and killed and many of them are children?
One of the hardest decision a person must make is if they are willing to leave themselves vulnerable in such a cruel, violent, unpredictable and dangerous world. President Barack Obama is facing that very frightening question as he pledges our nation's adherence to plans to reduce and ultimately eliminate the number of nuclear weapons in our hands. All of the what if questions torment your mind. You want to feel safe. I get that. I am there with you on that.
Several months ago a small, family-owned liquor store was targeted for a robbery. Three men entered the store with guns and instructed the owner to hand over the money. Instead he shot one of the robbers to death and the other two fled, but were later caught by police. I am embarrassed to admit it, but I cheered the business owner who stood up for himself and would not be terrorized any further. He'd been robbed several times before. He was not charged for the murder.
So where is there to be a compromise. Legislation that stiffens the penalties for gun crimes has not worked. The illegal distribution of guns to youth and criminal-minded people continues.
Policies that strip poor people of "rights" that others have is not fair and that is the one point I do agree with the NRA. People want to be able to fight back, because they are tired of being afraid and tired of being a victim. Those in public housing often have more reasons than any other to be afraid.
None of this is mentioned in the Second Amendment. So I propose a new amendment. It goes like this....
Anyone caught using a gun for the purposes not intended and anyone caught selling or giving a gun to anyone underage, mentally impaired or having a criminal background that prohibits it, shall have all of their property confiscated, bank accounts frozen and their money taken. They will also be placed on a registry similar to that of a sex offender.
Anyone whose child gets a hold of their gun and uses it unlawfully and anyone who has a gun that is stolen shall have all of their weapons confiscated for being irresponsible and shall be prohibited from ever owning a gun again in life. Failure to comply will result in the above mentioned penalty.
Anyone who snitches on a person who unlawfully sells them a gun or who they know sells guns and turns them in is entitled to a cash award and will be free from paying federal taxes for 3 years. In order to collect on the money, the offender must be found guilty of the charge. The identity of the person snitching will be kept confidential.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Saturday, May 22, 2010
As Blacks, It Is Okay To Criticize Obama
I am as big a fan of President Barack Obama as anyone. I am also proud that I live in America and celebrate the freedoms this country offers. Specifically, I am proud that the US Constitution has afforded me guarantees protecting free speech, the right to peacefully protest and assemble, the right to practice the religion of my choosing. And prior to there being a Black President, African-Americans were often the first at the podium, before the microphone and on the street reminding our nation of it's promise to all people. These "Black Voices" are the radio hosts, television commentators, newspaper columnists, politicians, quasi-leaders and activists.
They are the voices that often lead us to action, influence our opinions, give us the "Black Perspective" on the world's issues. We trust them, we believe them and often we will follow their prescribed course of action.
Sadly, today there exists a new attitude and the words are being articulated by some of these "Black Voices". One that counters the very essence of the U.S. Constitution in which we as Black People so often turn to and wave when we feel injustice is afoot. Today it seems that some of the same Black Voices screaming to be heard and demanding justice are now attacking anyone who seeks the same from Barack Obama. Dissent on an Obama plan or policy is by some Black Voices wrongly equated with criticism of the man, President Barack Obama. Questioning him is a "sacrilege" and considered disrespectful of his position. And if the "critic" or inquirer is African-American, the more vicious the attack by Black Voices. That is wrong! That is Anti-American and counter to the very liberty we as Black people demand and in which we must continue to defend.
Frankly, I enjoy the freedoms I have to oppose the ideas of those leading my country and representing my interest. Because I can write this commentary and not fear death as a form of retaliation for my opinion is a reminder of those protections and a reminder I do not live in a dictatorship. It is a reminder that neither African-Americans nor any other ethnic group is all of one mind nor should we be or have to be.
The military has Black men are fighting along side of White men and Latino men and American women of all races, creeds and colors protecting my right to speak out against tierney and oppression. They are fighting to guard our liberties so that any of us can safely speak about the dumb moves made by American leaders and faulty legislation our leaders are driving that could hurt our families, Black, White, Latino, Asian. How else would those representing us know how we feel if we did not speak up. Moreover, these liberties are so precious to me as a Black women not because I can speak up not only when I feel that a White leader does not understand my plight, but when a Black leader does not understand either. Just because a leader is of the same race, does not mean he knows all my needs, understands their importance to my family. It certainly shouldn't mean that I cannot oppose something he thinks is a great idea simply because he is Black.... Does it?
There were Blacks in Africa who helped White slave traders capture and trade Black souls. Should I not speak up about that wrong and the crime those Blacks committed because they were Black. When a Black person commits a crime, should Black people stay silent or co-sign on the wrong committed. Should we make excuses for the wrong behavior and does doing that help us in any way?
If we hold to the belief that if a person looks like us, came from a home similar to ours, has a momma who struggled the way our mom has... that we should give him a pass we would otherwise deny "the white man" we would be on a dangerous, self-destructive path. And because "Black Voices" carry so much weight in the hearts, minds and influence of the Black community, we are obligated to be a lot more responsible then that!
There are some policies and actions in which Obama proposes that I am all in favor. But there are just as many that I do not like and I will speak about them. It is time we as a people grow the heck up. You can't demand liberty and freedom for all when Whites are in power and then expect that everyone should shut up and to relinquish these guarantees when someone you like better, or someone who looks like you is in leadership. How politically immature is that? And frankly, it is okay if you are angry with my words and want to now take your marbles and go home.
They are the voices that often lead us to action, influence our opinions, give us the "Black Perspective" on the world's issues. We trust them, we believe them and often we will follow their prescribed course of action.
Sadly, today there exists a new attitude and the words are being articulated by some of these "Black Voices". One that counters the very essence of the U.S. Constitution in which we as Black People so often turn to and wave when we feel injustice is afoot. Today it seems that some of the same Black Voices screaming to be heard and demanding justice are now attacking anyone who seeks the same from Barack Obama. Dissent on an Obama plan or policy is by some Black Voices wrongly equated with criticism of the man, President Barack Obama. Questioning him is a "sacrilege" and considered disrespectful of his position. And if the "critic" or inquirer is African-American, the more vicious the attack by Black Voices. That is wrong! That is Anti-American and counter to the very liberty we as Black people demand and in which we must continue to defend.
Frankly, I enjoy the freedoms I have to oppose the ideas of those leading my country and representing my interest. Because I can write this commentary and not fear death as a form of retaliation for my opinion is a reminder of those protections and a reminder I do not live in a dictatorship. It is a reminder that neither African-Americans nor any other ethnic group is all of one mind nor should we be or have to be.
The military has Black men are fighting along side of White men and Latino men and American women of all races, creeds and colors protecting my right to speak out against tierney and oppression. They are fighting to guard our liberties so that any of us can safely speak about the dumb moves made by American leaders and faulty legislation our leaders are driving that could hurt our families, Black, White, Latino, Asian. How else would those representing us know how we feel if we did not speak up. Moreover, these liberties are so precious to me as a Black women not because I can speak up not only when I feel that a White leader does not understand my plight, but when a Black leader does not understand either. Just because a leader is of the same race, does not mean he knows all my needs, understands their importance to my family. It certainly shouldn't mean that I cannot oppose something he thinks is a great idea simply because he is Black.... Does it?
There were Blacks in Africa who helped White slave traders capture and trade Black souls. Should I not speak up about that wrong and the crime those Blacks committed because they were Black. When a Black person commits a crime, should Black people stay silent or co-sign on the wrong committed. Should we make excuses for the wrong behavior and does doing that help us in any way?
If we hold to the belief that if a person looks like us, came from a home similar to ours, has a momma who struggled the way our mom has... that we should give him a pass we would otherwise deny "the white man" we would be on a dangerous, self-destructive path. And because "Black Voices" carry so much weight in the hearts, minds and influence of the Black community, we are obligated to be a lot more responsible then that!
There are some policies and actions in which Obama proposes that I am all in favor. But there are just as many that I do not like and I will speak about them. It is time we as a people grow the heck up. You can't demand liberty and freedom for all when Whites are in power and then expect that everyone should shut up and to relinquish these guarantees when someone you like better, or someone who looks like you is in leadership. How politically immature is that? And frankly, it is okay if you are angry with my words and want to now take your marbles and go home.
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