I think that was what O'Mara was trying to establish with Witness Root when has asked Root to delineate the increasing stages of appropriate response in acts of violence.
I can't remember how that was spelled out in the jury instructions (I listened to them but cannot remember).
Bottom line, regardless of who initiated the argument, a fear of grievous bodily harm and potential death is a defense against murder 2 and manslaughter.
You forgot part of it: "Is a defense against murder 2 and manslaughter unless you be a Creepy Ass Cracka attackin a brutha..."