Regardless of what the Jury’s decision is - Black Lives Matter and we need change
Mother to Son - by Langston Hughes..
“Well, son, I’ll tell you:
Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.
It’s had tacks in it,
And splinters,
And boards torn up,
And places with no carpet on the floor—
Bare;
But all the time
I’se been a’climbin’ on,
And reachin’ landin’s,
And turnin’ corners,
And sometimes goin’ in the dark,
Where there ain’t been no light.
So boy, don’t you turn back;
Don’t you sit down on the steps,
’Cause you finds it’s kinder hard;
Don’t you fall now—
For I’se still goin’, honey,
I’se still climbin’,
And life for me ain’t been no crystal stair…”
In memoriam of;
George Floyd, Ahmaud Marquez Arbery, Rayshard Brooks, Elijah McClain, Eric Garner, Breonna Taylor, Michelle Cusseaux, Kayla Moore…. Alberta Spruill, Rekia Boyd, Shantel Davis, Shelly Frey, Kayla Moore, Kyam Livingston, Miriam Carey …and countless more.
I am genuinely not very good with words - so I defer to musical artist to convey where my head is at.
Department of Justice - Office of Justice Programs - Bureau of Justice Statistics - October 2018 Report - https://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/cpp15.pdf
SayHerName: https://www.aapf.org/sayhername
NAACP - https://www.naacp.org
Resources (admittedly I am sick to my stomach waiting for the Jury’s verdict) but if you’re feeling overwhelmed or have suicidal ideations - it’s brave to ask for help - so be brave.
“You're not alone - Help is available” - 24/7/365 https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org you can call 1-800-273-8255
Call the crisis hotline or use the crisis text line, offering free, confidential support 24/7. Call 1-800-273-8255 or text CARE to 839863. We offer help and resources for depression and suicide, sexual assault, domestic violence, elder abuse, child abuse and substance abuse.
Samaritans 24-Hour Crisis Hotline (212) 673-3000. “…helping people in distress and preventing suicide, Samaritans free, confidential, 24-hour emotional support and crisis response hotline service is available on an immediate and ongoing basis to help people who are dealing with every kind of problem, illness, trauma or loss as they try to cope with their difficulties.”
I am sorry - I know you’re stressed and I understand the anxiety and concern too
Filey, I burst into tears after the third verdict. Held my breath between each verdict. I pray for his soul to rest easy now.
I have SO many graphics, the terms I teach courses, in forensics, mental health law, and a few other classes under that 'umbrella,' when I will have the rogue (or at least idiotic enough to write the quiet parts out loud) for the student who tries to say "There is no difference in the 'stops, type of stops, number of convictions, remands, reasons for remand, conviction, length of sentence, murders, etc," .......they can never explain how 13% of the population comprises such an 'upside down percentage' in the numbers (or they 'can't explain in ways that fit the narrative they want to admit). One of my 'favorite' mind f@ck activities, for everyone that 'claims' they have no bias and are all 'even minded' and woke. I but up a graphic of 12 cases of 'adolescent cases' that could be 'potentially tried as adults.' All of the details of the case are slightly different in what the factors were, mitigating circumstances, seriousness. The only 'detail' I slip in a few of the cases overtly, 'race,' but don't point this out. I then go around and have a class discussion, have them 'tally up,' note which of the cases would be suggested to go to 'juvenile and which to adult' court and jail. The difference and factors of the cases are fairly cut and dry. When we went through as a class, and discussed the 'factors, criterion, circumstances, and law,' and looked at which cases would have 'actually been 'referred up,' and which would have been kept in the juvenile system,' I drop my doe eyed, "Hum....what was it about those few cases that seemed to so many students get those wrong? Let's have a look......" Then I highlight the 'single factor.' They are never pleased with me, but....I can live with that as long as some of them eventually turn that back toward themselves. I know it sticks with them, I've heard back from quite a few.