Why Stevie Wonder is Wrong to Boycott Florida

Stevie Wonder clearly doesn't understand what "Stand Your Ground" is all about, or he would be for it, not against it.

Florida's "Stand your Ground" law was passed to protect people who are bullied, abused, or attacked. But George Zimmerman did not use "Stand your Ground" in his defense in court. It was the newspapers and media that made all the noise about it, not Zimmerman or his lawyers.

And it was never meant to justify the winner in a street fight. "Stand your Ground" is an outgrowth or extension of the Castle Doctrine, which finds expression in Colorado's 1985 "Make My Day Law," among others. "Make My Day" allows you to use deadly force against an intruder in your home. "Stand Your Ground" simply means that you don't have to cower or run away when someone attacks you; you're allowed to fight back.

In fact, "Stand Your Ground" could be used to justify Trayvon Martin's actions, not Zim's. Martin is not around to give his side of the story, but it could plausibly be argued that Zim attacked him first, and he was fighting back - and winning the fight - when Zim shot him. This plausible argument is the reason that Zim's legal team did not use "Stand Your Ground."