The Trayvon Martin case reminds me of so many other cases that I’ve seen of unequal treatment of the law in the criminal justice system. We are a society built on laws that are often unequally and unjustly applied depending on the color of one’s skin. Racism exists in the criminal justice system from an arrest of the accused, or in the case of Trayvon Martin, a non-arrest, to a final verdict. As a former prosecutor, I sought a fair trial and an impartial verdict based on the evidence in cases that I tried. But fairness and impartiality apparently means different things to different people. Trayvon Martin’s killer, George Zimmerman, was allowed to give a statement to the Sanford, FL police and then was free to leave based on his statement. If the tables were turned and Zimmerman, the shooter, was black and Trayvon Martin, the victim, was white, he would have been arrested so fast his head would have been spinning. The police will usually arrest a black suspect and ask questions later, … [Read more...] about Why We Can’t Let Trayvon Martin’s Killer Get Away With Murder
Archives for March 2012
Dorothy I. Height’s Centennial Birthday Celebration
Dorothy I. Height didn’t live to see her 100th birthday but that didn’t stop the National Council of Negro Women "(NCNW") from celebrating it. NCNW called for a week of service in honor of Dorothy I. Height’s birthday beginning on March 17, a week in advance of her birthday.She would have turned 100 on March 24, 2012. NCNW celebrated Dr. Height's centennial birthday at historic Shiloh Baptist Church on March 17 by calling for a week of service in the US and abroad. A special note was for women to engage in some of the following activities to honor Dr. Height: Visiting a shelter for the homeless or battered and abused; Mentor to a young girl or boy; Spend time with a senior citizen Take someone to a health professional appointment Women are particularly encouraged to add additional service acts in the Dorothy I. Height Foundation web site and www.DorothyIHeight.org and to take photos of their service. Dr. Height chaired the NCNW for 50 years, served in the public sector for many … [Read more...] about Dorothy I. Height’s Centennial Birthday Celebration
Who is Beating Pres. Obama in Fundraising?
President Obama raised $45 million with 348,000 people donating in February. Pres. Obama boasts 105,000 of those donating in February lent their support for the first time. Almost 98% of February's contributors were $250 or less. On average each donor gave less than $60. Since April, 2011, 1.64 million people have given to the Obama for President campaign. Even Bill Maher jumped on the band wagon and gave $1 million. But President Obama lags behind GOP front runner Mitt Romney in large donors giving $2,000 or more. President Obama is struggling to draw in big-dollar donations, with half as many people writing large checks to his campaign than at this point four years. This could be a problem down the road. Hollywood has contributed in ways other than fundraising. Clint Eastwood's Super Bowl commercial showing America is at half time and President Obama is deserving of a second term. Tom Hank narrates a 17 minute documentary making the case for a second term for President … [Read more...] about Who is Beating Pres. Obama in Fundraising?
Does Mitt Romney Hate Women?
Mitt Romney, in his latest attack on women now says he would eliminate all funding to Planned Parenthood. Romney, in his most recent attempt to woo conservative Republican voters and the ultra- conservative Tea Party faction, has decided to show his growing distaste for women and women’s issues. This will not help him with Independent women voters. While Mitt Romney prefers to throw his dog on top of the car and ride for hours, he prefers to throw women under the bus. Quite frankly, both are despicable acts. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) responded by saying "It's not just about Planned Parenthood. This disregard for women's health has been [a] growing theme for Mr. Romney and his campaign. Schakowsky said that Romney has "become the most extreme candidate on issues affecting women" as a result of "just trying to woo Tea Party voters." Democrats have produced a new Web video highlighting GOP front-runner Mitt Romney's recent statement that he plans to "get rid of" Planned … [Read more...] about Does Mitt Romney Hate Women?