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SC Sheriff Floyd Bonner: ‘We’ve got to do more to save our children’

NEW TRI-STATE DEFENDER — Pen the title Shelby County Sheriff to that reflection and add the name Floyd Bonner Jr. and you have a point of reference for what happened at the Frayser Exchange Club meeting last week. With a standing-room-only crowd, including some uniformed deputies, Bonner, the first African-American elected to serve as sheriff, encouraged more involvement in the lives of children who are heading down the wrong path.

Published

5 years ago

October 25, 2019

Oakland Post

Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner talks to the Frayser Exchange Club. (Courtesy Photo)

Bonner speaks to Frayser Exchange Club about juvenile justice

Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

“When you see these young people around in your community, talk to these young people about the importance of doing the right thing. …We’ve got to reach out to them, not just to our own children. They have had no guidance, no one to really train them. There was no one teaching them at home.”

Pen the title Shelby County Sheriff to that reflection and add the name Floyd Bonner Jr. and you have a point of reference for what happened at the Frayser Exchange Club meeting last week.

With a standing-room-only crowd, including some uniformed deputies, Bonner, the first African-American elected to serve as sheriff, encouraged more involvement in the lives of children who are heading down the wrong path.

He cited numbers that many would find stunning.

“There are 41 juveniles being held out at Jail East. Jail East is where we house the women inmates. But those 41 juveniles out at Jail East are being charged as adults. We’ve got to do more to save our children. We as a community are failing them.”

An additional 85 juveniles are being held at the Juvenile Court facility, Bonner said.

Congress, said Bonner, has mandated that juveniles cannot be housed in adult facilities. He firmly supports constructing a new juvenile facility in Shelby County to address the need.

“County juveniles are housed in a building that is 60 or 70 years old,” he said. When they go outside, they go on concrete. They never see a blade of grass. The law was passed in December of 2018, which means we have until December 2021. We don’t want to ship our kids out of the county or the state. That would put another hardship on parents if we sent our kids away. We want to lead the way in juvenile reform and justice.”

Establishing that the law enforcement division is accredited by the National Sheriffs Association, Bonner told the audience at Impact Church that “our jails and our jail medical” also are accredited, adding, “That’s something that you all should be very proud of.”

Delving into crime statistics, Bonner touted an 8.4 percent drop in crime for unincorporated Shelby County.

“Simple assaults are driving the numbers now, and thefts from motor vehicles,” he said, pointing out violent crime is actually down.

Like Memphis Police Director Michael Rallings, who spoke at the Frayser Exchange Club the previous week, Bonner is increasing recruitment efforts to fill a shortage of officers.

“I just spoke with Director Rallings yesterday. We share our woes regarding recruitment challenges. It is our hope that the residency requirement (for officers) is relaxed, even if it’s just for a little while. Director Rallings needs about 500 officers. I am short 59 deputies. But with the residency requirement, the pond is shrinking.”

To date, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office commands 791 corrections officers and 639 deputies.

Potential applicants, he said, should visit the department’s website and make use of the “user-friendly application online,” if they want to apply.

“Anyone who might be interested in employment should be at least 21. Their background must be clean, so they have to be able to pass a background check. We will accept high school graduates, although we do encourage them to go back to school.

“And they must be in some kind of shape. But don’t look at me. Look at some of these young deputies,” Bonner joked. “I’m not the example. Look at some of my young deputies with the flat stomachs.”

Bonner extended an open invitation to anyone wanting to sign up for the Citizen’s Academy. Registration is ongoing in the month of October, and the interactive course lasts for several weeks.

This article originally appeared in the New Tri-State Defender

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OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me

NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 9, 2024

Oakland Post

Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.

A Familiar Disappointment

I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.

In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.

The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough

On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?

Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.

One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.

A Call for Action Beyond Words

White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.

If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

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Supernova Parenting Conference Empowers Over 100 Parents with Resources for Neurodivergence and Mental Health

The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for […]

Published

2 weeks ago

November 7, 2024

BlackPressUSA.com

The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches from leading experts in neurodiversity and mental health. Attendees left with practical tools and strategies to enhance their parenting journeys, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.

“While the conference was a tremendous success, we believe that our work doesn’t end here,” said Natasha Nelson. “It’s crucial to continue providing ongoing support and resources for parents as they navigate this important journey. We want to ensure families can access the tools they need long after the conference.”

To extend the momentum generated at the conference, Natasha and Yolanda are excited to announce the launch of the Supernova Parenting Community. This membership-based initiative aims to offer a safe and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to continue their growth as conscious parents.

Membership is available for as little as $5 a month via Patreon, making it accessible for all families seeking support.

“We know that parenting can be a challenging journey, especially when navigating neurodivergence and mental health issues,” Yolanda Walker added. “Our goal is to build a community where parents feel seen, heard, and supported. We hope you’ll join us in this vital work.”

For more information about the Supernova Parenting Community and to sign up for membership, please visit supernovaparenting.org