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OP-ED: A Teachable Moment in Baltimore

Published

10 years ago

June 4, 2015

By Richard Wembe Johnson, Folsom Prison

The obvious misconduct and negligence of the Baltimore police in the death of Freddie Gray sparked community responses of “enough already” in that historic city and other similarly situated communities throughout the nation.

These demonstrations have cost Baltimoreans millions of dollars to pay the costs of the marches and the police responses.

But these demonstrations have emboldened the mayor, state’s attorney, the congressman and the U.S. Attorney General to reassure the public that they will pursue justice regardless of the costs.

During our recent celebrations of Mother’s Day, I reflected on my own mother, but I also thought of that single Baltimore mother of six who, with the whole world watching, took out her protective nurturing instincts by snatching her son from a potential ruckus, or a clash with the police.

She in her desire to keep him from violence bopped him upside his head, regardless of who was watching. The irony of this display of courage was that she undoubtedly could have been brought up on charges of child abuse because the law and society deems such behavior as unacceptable.

Instead of rebuking her for smacking her child, she was praised by many including such celebrities as Oprah Winfrey.

I think it is very hypocritical of our society to apply a double standard when it benefits the interests of their concerns. But, clearly in the eyes of the Child Protective Services what this mother did was against the law yet, they remained silent on the matter.

Please don’t get me wrong on this matter because I fully support what that mother did to safeguard her misguided son – 110%.

That’s what mothers do at the drop of a hat. This mother’s “SHero-ic” example should be applauded and other mothers, fathers and family members should take more action in protecting their loved ones.

I don’t condone child abuse, or any semblance of it. However, I fully support families supporting one another for doing their best to protect children in the midst of a crisis.

If this mother had not taken charge to protect her only son, who knows what could’ve happened in the wake of all that chaos. But, we now know is that her young man-child made it home safely as a direct result of the actions of his mother to save her son from himself.

What she did isn’t wholeheartedly embraced, especially within cultures that truly believe that a “time-out” will suffice in all instances. The point is always trust your instinct, do what is right, not necessarily what is popular when it comes to loving and protecting your own.

Right always transcends popular policy. When faced with a crisis involving your child, you’re only wrong when you aren’t decisive and don’t take an active protective role.

Many of the incidents that occurred in Baltimore provide teachable moments for us all.

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Oakland Post: Week of January 8 – 14, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of January 8 – 14, 2025

Published

4 days ago

January 11, 2025

Oakland Post

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Supreme Court Decision Confirms Convicted Felon Will Assume Presidency

NNPA NEWSWIRE — In a 5-4 ruling, the court stated that Trump’s concerns could “be addressed in the ordinary course on appeal” and emphasized that the burden of sentencing was “relatively insubstantial” given that Trump will not face prison time. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett joined the court’s three liberal justices in the majority, with four conservative justices dissenting.

Published

5 days ago

January 10, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia

The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected President-elect Donald Trump’s emergency request to block criminal proceedings in his New York hush money case, ensuring that a sentencing hearing will proceed as scheduled on Friday. The decision makes it official that, on January 20, for the first time in its history, the United States will inaugurate a convicted felon as its president.

In a 5-4 ruling, the court stated that Trump’s concerns could “be addressed in the ordinary course on appeal” and emphasized that the burden of sentencing was “relatively insubstantial” given that Trump will not face prison time. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett joined the court’s three liberal justices in the majority, with four conservative justices dissenting.

Trump was convicted in May for falsifying business records related to a $130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg argued that the Supreme Court lacked jurisdiction to intervene in a state criminal case, particularly before all appeals in state courts were exhausted.

Trump’s legal team claimed the sentencing process would interfere with his transition to power and argued that evidence introduced during the trial included official actions protected under the Supreme Court’s prior ruling granting former presidents immunity for official conduct. Merchan, the New York judge who presided over the trial, ruled in December that the evidence presented was unrelated to Trump’s duties as president.

Prosecutors dismissed Trump’s objections, stating that the sentencing would take less than an hour and could be attended virtually. They said the public interest in proceeding to sentencing outweighed the President-elect’s claims of undue burden.

Justice Samuel Alito, one of the four dissenting justices, confirmed speaking to Trump by phone on Wednesday. Alito insisted the conversation did not involve the case, though the call drew criticism given his previous refusals to recuse himself from politically sensitive matters.

The sentencing hearing is set for Friday at 9:30 a.m. in Manhattan. As the nation moves closer to an unprecedented inauguration, questions about the implications of a convicted felon assuming the presidency remain.

“No one is above the law,” Bragg said.

Stacy M. Brown

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Activism

Barbara Lee Launches Campaign for Mayor of Oakland

“At this critical moment, we must not be a city divided, but a community united,” she Lee. “If elected I will bring my hands-on leadership, new ideas and decades of experience in identifying billions in resources for our great city, so all residents and businesses are stronger and safer and our community has optimism and confidence in Oakland’s future.”

Published

7 days ago

January 8, 2025

Oakland Post

By Post Staff

Barbara Lee on Wednesday morning formally announced her candidacy for Mayor in Oakland’s April 15 special election.

“Time and time again, Oaklanders have faced our toughest obstacles by uniting to meet our challenges,” said Lee.

“At this critical moment, we must not be a city divided but a community united,” she said. “If elected, I will bring my hands-on leadership, new ideas, and decades of experience in identifying billions in resources for our great city so all residents and businesses are stronger and safer and our community has optimism and confidence in Oakland’s future.”

“As Mayor, I’ll address our homelessness crisis, prioritize comprehensive public safety and mental health services, and lead with fiscal responsibility to deliver the core City services residents and business owners deserve. Let’s do this – together.”

“I’ve never shied away from a challenge,” said Lee. “I’m always ready to fight for Oakland.”

Watch her campaign video here, which is online at BarbaraLee4Oakland.com