On Wednesday, during a debate on gun legislation at the Arkansas State Capitol, Democratic Senator Stephanie Flowers absolutely slammed gun rights supporters over a “stand your ground” bill that would be disastrous. And when they tried to silence her, she was having none of it. The amazing moment was caught on camera and has gone viral for good reason.
Please watch, and check out the transcript below.
I’m in awe. I know you are, too. The raw passion here is palpable.
“I am the only person here of color. I am a mother, too, and I have a son,” Flowers stated in the discussion. “And I care as much for my son as y’all care for yours. But my son doesn’t walk the same path as yours does. So this debate deserves more time.”
“You don’t have to worry about your children. . . . I have to worry about my son, and I worry about other little black boys and girls,” Flowers continued, addressing gun rights supporters. “And people coming into my neighborhood, into my city, saying they have open-carry rights walking down in front of my doggone office in front of the courthouse. That’s a bull.”
Flowers not only speaks for the safety of her son and family, but for all the sons and daughters of people of color. These families literally live in terror because of these Wild West gun laws that are tearing families apart.
The bill, which was sponsored by three Republican senators, would have removed an important clause from current state law which notes a “duty to retreat” in self-defense cases. This change would make it easier to use lethal force in situations of self-defense.
Republican Senator Alan Clarke cut in, saying, “Senator, you need to stop talking.”
“No, I don’t!” Flowers replied.
“Yes, you do.”
“No, I don’t… What the hell you going to do, shoot me?”
“Senator …” Clark said.
“Go to hell. I’m telling you, this deserves more attention.”
Even law enforcement in Arkansas knows how bad these laws are. It was defeated, but the fight is never over. Thankfully, we have passionate people like Stephanie Flowers fighting against these misguided gun laws.
The senator’s father, Harold Flowers, was a civil rights trailblazer and amazing as well.
Mr. Flowers literally changed the trajectory of politics in Arkansas for black Americans. I strongly recommend you read the entire article of this brilliant man.
Flowers decided to take matters into his own hands. On March 10, 1940, at a meeting in Stamps, Flowers launched a Committee on Negro Organizations to mobilize the state's black population. Flowers was convinced that if blacks began to purchase poll-tax receipts and cast their vote at elections, it would prove a vital first step in raising black political consciousness to challenge the Arkansas Democratic Party's all-white primary elections. He tirelessly stumped the state for his cause. "Drive to Increase Race Votes Is Successful" headlined the Arkansas State Press, Little Rock's black newspaper, owned by L.C. and Daisy Bates. It anticipated a record turnout of black voters. Two years later, after more successes, it printed Flowers' photograph with the caption "He Founded A Movement."
The fight never ends. The movement never ends.
The Flowers family knows this all too well. When Stephanie Flowers rose to passionately defend people of color against another misguided gun law — it echoed of a time when her father was fighting for civil rights in Arkansas.
Like father, like daughter.