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DEL.ICIO.USJudge Arrington, bravo for caring
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“Mrs. Howard needs to see you.”
No kid at my middle school wanted to hear those words. Sometimes, having to see Mrs. Clifford Howard was worse than being sent to the principal’s office. It wasn’t what she did to you or made you do. It was what she’d talk to you about.
Mrs. Howard was an old-school, no-nonsense teacher who’d taught in segregated black schools. At my school, she was an English teacher and the school counselor, a sage.
Many teachers turned to her when students - particularly black ones - got off track and needed a stern “talkin’ to.” A chat with her, it was hoped, would correct behavior.
Her role was to rein kids in before they spiraled out of control. Before they found themselves in the principal’s office. Before they got suspended or expelled. Before girls got pregnant and boys got locked up.
Time with Mrs. Howard was meant to remind students - just in case they didn’t know - their roles as kids. Their job was to do well in school, go to college or get a good job, make parents and the black community in the hometown proud.
Not embarrass it.
Mrs. Howard came to mind the other day when I read a story in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution about Marvin Arrington’s pickle. He’s a Fulton County Superior Court judge. One recent sentencing day, he asked all the white people to leave the courtroom. He wanted to talk to the 50 or so black defendants alone.
Arrington wanted to have a fireside chat, something he referred to in the newspaper article as his “Bill Cosby” moment. In a 10-minute talk, he admonished the defendants about bad behavior and how it crippled advancement. He talked about “babies having babies” and parents who don’t act like parents.
Be better, he told them in so many words. Do better. Stop carjacking, robbing, raping and stealing. Stay out of my courtroom.
Great heartfelt message.
The courthouse talk drew a standing ovation. It drew a few critics, too. The courtroom is a public facility, some said. Others took issue with the fact that whites were told to jet. They said the pioneer black lawyer should have been inclusive. After all, every race could benefit from such a message.
Valid points.
But with all due respect, there’s nothing wrong with the Howards and Arringtons of the world hosting fireside chats. There’s nothing inherently revolting or racist if role models and leaders of color emphasize and use the very color of their skin to drive home points about the unsavory roles some in that particular group embrace, even glorify.
It’s called caring.
Arrington didn’t shoo whites away so he could talk disparagingly about whites, to privately point the finger and make them scapegoats. He asked that they leave so he could speak from the heart, directly to a group who desperately need to hear his message.
“So help me, I don’t see what I did was wrong,” he told a TV reporter while offering an apology. “All I was trying to do is make a difference.”
Way to go, Mr. Arrington.
Mrs. Howard would have been proud.
Rick Badie’s column appears on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Contact him at 770-263-3875 or e-mail: rbadie@ajc.com.
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By Michael H. Smith
April 6, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this
Every race, Mr. Badie? Please define race?
No, no, Rick, I’m not going to let you off the hook or myself for that matter in remaining silent. For “silence is betrayal” and “injustice anywhere remains injustice everywhere”. It is far past the time to stop using the false things, these “social crutches”, to escape reality.
Either, we are all human and possess equally the quality of being human or we do not, which is it, Mr. Badie?
By MJK
April 6, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this
I agree, Rick. Bravo to Judge Arrington.
Any effort on the part of those who are making a positive contribution to society to counsel, cajole, berate, advise, mentor, badger those that have gone astray is a worthwhile undertaking and should be encouraged. Who’s to say what impact his 10-minutes had on those that were in attendance, but if only 1 individual in that room was to find him/herself in a bad situation in the future, and either consciously or unconsciously chose to avoid trouble whereas in the past he/she may have embraced trouble, then Judge Arrington did us all a favor, especially that one person who needed it most.
By Jim L
April 6, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this
All humans do not possess equally the quality of being human. There in lies both the core of our problem/problems…and the basis of our triumph/salvation!
By Neal
April 6, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this
In his book of essays, Nathan McCall asks white people to skip the chapter where he takes his black brethren to task. This is nothing new.
Judge Arrington did the right thing. How else can black people talk openly and honestly within their own community if they can’t find a way to talk behind closed doors? It ranks me to no end when white people use the words of Bill Cosby to justify their own racism. It is an unintended consequence of his attempts at self reflection within the black community. “Look, Bill Cosby said this and that. If one of their own says it, it must really be true”
By Anybody There?
April 6, 2008 5:41 PM | Link to this
Situation: School tyrant, town bully, illegal, gang banger, too old to still be in high school, has a retort for everything.
Solution that’s not: Person A, white elderly lady prays daily, speaks kindly about the young Mexican bully and tries to make a way for the bully to become a better person. Person A gets good response in a conversation with the bully who states nobody cares and no teacher wants to teach but wants to earn a paycheck. Person A tries to get others to reach the bully and asks several people to encourage him.
Person B, school worker, white, willing to reach out. Never happens.
Person C, counselor, black, Christian will gladly let the bully know person A had a job for him. Never happens.
Person D, mail carrier, white, Christian who knows everybody, doesn’t want to get involved.
Person E, bully’s bus driver, white Christian, doesn’t want to get involved because he got in trouble once for asking a teacher if they went to church.
Person F, church friend, white, Christian who said he would pray and possibly get the bully involved in some work that pays money and will give him self worth and an opportunity to grow as a person. Never happened.
Person G, bully’s dad, Mexican who person A (the elderly lady) called to offer the bully a pay job. Person A told dad his boy had talent and wanted to offer an opportunity to the boy. The dad just said, “talent, HUH”. Then he wanted the job for himself and his “crew”.
Helloooooooooooo Norcross. Is there anybody who cares enough to make a difference? This boy was very receptive to positive words. The elderly lady and the boy are not exactly the right match for a good mentoring situation.
What would Bill Cosby say? Where is the involvement as a community? Granted the bully is illegal, but a person just the same. If this family gets deported what comments will he take back with him to Mexico about us. Sounds like the Bill Cosby come to Jesus meetings need to be for more than just the black people.
By Michael H. Smith
April 6, 2008 5:46 PM | Link to this
Oh I think we do all possess equally the quality of being human. We all simply “do not accept” that matter of reality based fact.
One day, someday, but not in my day….
What a tragic slogan America has accepted in rejecting triumph over the evils of the past and the lies of the present.
By Michael H. Smith
April 6, 2008 6:03 PM | Link to this
For the Bill Cosby fans it might help to know good ol’ Dr. Cosby had a few choice words of needed encouragement for the white side of this overly color dependent country.
He simply didn’t go as far as I would have liked to have seen him go.
By PoliticalMan
April 6, 2008 6:55 PM | Link to this
Mr Badie,
You I am sure regard yourself as color-blind. Why is it that you talk about the “black” community? I thought we just had communities in this country. Anti-social behavior is detrimental to our communities, not the “black” community. You know that you would not tolerate for a second talk of white communities. Had a white judge done as Arrington did, he would not even have the benefit of doubt. The reaction would have been so heated that he undoubtedly would be out the door, probably justifiably so.
Having said all of that, we do have a problem with knuckleheads in our society. It usually starts at a young age. Eventually they cause havoc among us. Things like driving like a maniac on I-85 and killing a few for the he** of it. The problem is way bigger than some ad hoc lecture in a courtroom.
By Kevin
April 6, 2008 7:00 PM | Link to this
I’m confused…I see everyone talk about white this; black that, and we call ourselves a non-racial, non-biased country. Don’t you know that every time you place a label on someone or something you too are a racist? It sounds to me that although we call ourselves adults we still have a lot of growing up to do. Didn’t we stop segregation a long time ago? Why is it that those that are so proud to point fingers are still living in a segregated world? (Those that label others because of color, religion, or sex) Think about it…
By TW
April 6, 2008 7:14 PM | Link to this
Talk’s cheap. We need sound economic policy that provides decent jobs so that people don’t have to work 60 hour weeks, so that people have legal alternatives to making a good living. We need to fund public schools so that they can provide a breakfast and good after school care if the kids needs it. We are in a vicious cycle. We need to care about United States of America enough to pay for it, and we need to quit electing these selfish children to lead us - screaming about tax cuts when the oil comapnies will eat it up? Screaming about tax cuts when we have families who have given loved ones to this senseless war in Iraq. How about doing something about the gas prices so I won’t need the tax cut, and the tax money can go toward real solutions to the problems of above? Those who cry about tax cuts during a time of war should join al qaeda, as they share the same philosophy on the plight of America.
Proud to be an American? Put your money where your mouth is.
By Cindy
April 6, 2008 7:33 PM | Link to this
non-racial? the absence of race?
By Political Foreskin
April 6, 2008 7:47 PM | Link to this
The judge was wrong.
It was perhaps the most outrageous contempt of court our country has ever experienced.
The implications of the bench’s order are horrendously multi-layered: the unspoken confirmation of racial dread, the easily-deduced suspicions about unresolvable grudges and accumulated liablilities, the discouraging reasonableness of segregational assists to jurisprudence.
I condemn the act. This judge must resign.
Obama 08. Course Correction.
By Michael H. Smith
April 6, 2008 8:08 PM | Link to this
This repeat is for you Cindy in case you missed it.
By Sad Woman In America April 4, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this As a Black woman born in America I am truly sad. I want to believe in my heart that we are all equal, I want to believe in my heart that we have the intelligence to rightfully divide truth from illusion, I want to believe that we are finally at a place where we can think with without color but I guess everything the Dr. Martin Luther King stood for is simply a dream. YOUR WORDS AND ACTIONS ON THIS BOARD CLEARLY PROVE THAT. What makes it even worse is that it is not just a black or white prolem, it’s an american problem.
By Michael H. Smith April 4, 2008 11:53 PM | Link to this To the Sad Woman In America - We are all equal in terms of our humanity, defined as, the quality of being human. As human beings we certainly do possess the needed intelligence to rightfully divide truth from illusions. Unfortunately, as human beings, we also possess weaknesses that prevent us from accepting truth. One day we will, as a people, as Americans, reach that hallowed place, though, in all honesty I must confess that day will not be any day in my lifetime. For the truth that you speak of, which so many of us seek, is a heavy burden many cannot yet bear unassisted without a “social crutch” that is invented in their mind which allows them to mentally function in this life in lieu of a total personal collapse. To put it bluntly, Sad Woman In America, the majority of America’s citizenry cannot reason without applying the idea, if not the very words of, Race, Racism and the term Racial when interacting on a daily basis.
People cannot accept science fact. RACE, is a meaningless category. The differences between any one of us are so insignificant science dismisses them as having no appreciable merit to require a RACE or “separate races”.
RACISM is nothing more or less than ancestral hate. So why call, HATE, something else instead of what it truly is?
RACIAL is the manifestation of this ancestral hate in action.
As long as America, lives under these illusions, continues to depend upon the “social crutch” of RACE, RACISM and RACIAL, the nightmare will not end.
Many things were said today of Dr. King. Some (on CNN) tried to parallel his speeches and sermons to Rev. Wright’s “God Damn America” but there is a great difference between calling for God’s wrath upon America to that of warning America of God’s impending wrath, regrettably how so many fail to understand that difference.
Dr. King had a dream for America, which didn’t include Armageddon.
By KIM
April 6, 2008 8:12 PM | Link to this
Thank you, Mr. Badie, for writing about this. Your article underscores that there are many, many thoughtful and profoundly articulate people of influence who need to take a strong leadership for the sake of all our young people. Responsible adults must accept the challenge of leading young people in a positive way. We must be outraged by any behaviors that destroy them. And we must offer forums and formats for positive development opportunities. Again, thank you for your articles.
By Cindy
April 6, 2008 8:25 PM | Link to this
Thank you Michael…but if all that rings true and I think “ok, deal”, then what box do I check on paperwork? n/a? or is it ok to simpley refuse, flop down on the floor and pitch a fit that would make any two year old proud? Make no mistake, I wouldn’t mind doing just that…and actually threatened to do it earlier today if there were no more Fritos. My friend Doug talked me out of it…well kinda…mostly he disreguarded it as a joke. I SOOO would’ve done it though…except I found one bag of Fritos in amongst all the other little bags.
By Michael H. Smith
April 6, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this
Well, Cindy, there is a line - I take it you’re referring to the census here - that allows you write in your preference as to other. I have for sometime filled that space in as Human when asked about race. :)
Think our government will stop promoting bigotry, if I keep it up?
Perhaps, if enough join me in doing the same…. that is, with or without Fritos of course.
By Cindy
April 6, 2008 9:25 PM | Link to this
I wasn’t limiting it to census paperwork…but you make such a valid point. I think I am going to get a really good tan and wear my hair in such a way that nobody will truly know what I am…it’ll make them all curious and stuff…when they break down and finally have to give in and ask, I’m going to do something really silly and leave their question still unanswered. Sounds fun, huh?
Michael you want to know what the worst part about the Fritos was? When all was said and done, well…and actually more was said than done…I put the Fritos back in the box because I was full. Didn’t even eat them after I made such a production. :) What can I say? I’m female; I change my mind…ALOT.
By Political Foreskin
April 6, 2008 9:36 PM | Link to this
Cindy, with the tan and the hair, do you happen to have an older sister for me?
By Cindy
April 6, 2008 9:41 PM | Link to this
an older sister? like one without a tan and hair or what? couldn’t help but laugh when i read that…let me off the hook…i gotta know…
By Bruce Wilcox
April 6, 2008 9:51 PM | Link to this
I have to agree with Political Foreskin, the judge was wrong and he should resign. Since when has our courtrooms become a forum for judges to express personal beliefs?
The minute you walk into any courtroom in the United States the only reason for it’s existence is to enforce the laws of the land, no more, no less.
If the judge feels that strongly about addressing todays youths, I am positive there would be a number of schools that would welcome him as a speaker.
By Michael H. Smith
April 6, 2008 9:58 PM | Link to this
Tell you the truth Cindy it has just as much validity when used on any paper-work that questions ancestry or skin color. Probably more, if there is any intent to use that information to discriminate.
Then again, why would anyone ask for such information, unless there was that intent?
Of course if it was some insurance company that might try to force you to pay for covering a body part you did not have, then a gender question would be reasonable to answer.
Otherwise, you could be in for alot of Fritos.
bon appét** :)
By Political Foreskin
April 6, 2008 10:16 PM | Link to this
LOL!!
By Cindy
April 6, 2008 11:00 PM | Link to this
Michael, One time the hospital billed the insurance company for a thalium stress test (that i never had…my husband did) and billed for him having a hysterectomy. :) I guess they didn’t look at our race nor sex. hahahah. Then again, a totally different hospital billed my insurance company for labor and delivery room charges. Funny things is, that baby was born at home on the couch.
Oh I have stories galore. Ya’ll stick around…you’ll see.
What was this blog about again?
By Clueless
April 7, 2008 11:02 AM | Link to this
So Cindy is saying that her birthin’ baby bill should have come from a Veterinarian’s Office? That HAD to hurt. I’ll bet it’s cute when the litter of pups all fight over the teets. lol ;=}
beeyayatch! just kidding. i make funny, no?
By Mark
April 7, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this
If a white judge did the same thing, it would be termed racist. What he did as wrong, and his reason for doing so is not in his job description. He should be removed from the bench.
By Cindy
April 7, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this
Clueless, Your conclusions were interesting, yet…(hmmm, should I use my company manners…yes, no, yes, no)…kinda dumb. Hint: if you have to insult others to make humor, you’re not funny. Try again. This time use your imagination…people like that more. :)
By Political Foreskin
April 7, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this
If you’re wondering why I wrote the above comment:
I don’t want to acknowledge the judge was attempting to do good. I decline to give credit where credit is due.
People like me are snooty, opinionated, and are armchair critics.
How dare someone attempt to better their community, and take the time to care! This cannot be tolerated.
By Cindy
April 7, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this
well now at least we know. thanks for clearing that up. :)
p.s. what?
By LT5000
April 7, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this
Rick, of course, is behind this Judge because he is black.
However, a few months ago he came out with an (Idiotic) article claiming that “Gone with the Wind” was so racist he couldn’t stomach it. He even equated it to making a film about Jews that overlooked the Holocaust.
Surely if the depiction of blacks in Gone With The Wind offended you, then this judge’s statements should be at lease 10 times more offensive to you
There is an obvious reason Mr. Badie isn’t offended. It’s called Racism.
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/shared-blogs/ajc/badie/entries/2007/10/30/cantoverlookr.html
LT5000
By Cindy
April 7, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this
LT5000!!!!!!
I was wondering where you were man…thought you’d fallen off the face of the earth…grrr.
Cindy
By Cindy
April 7, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this
Clueless, ok…I admit it…YES it was kinda-sorta funny…ok?…ya’ll see what i’ve been reduced to? she said i had puppies! of course it was shocking at first when i read it…but then after it sank in, dang…it was kinda funny.
plus i like puppies, so there.
By Mr Chips
April 7, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this
Cindy, you realize this means war.
By Cindy
April 7, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this
What does?
By Cindy
April 7, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this
Hey don’t issue that statement then disappear…not cool.
Besides, I’m a lover not a fighter.
Oh who am I kidding…I’m both…bring it on Mr. Chips.
By Mr. Chips
April 7, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this
Surrender Dorothy
By Cindy
April 7, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this
Oh you have the wrong girl, you wicked witch..tell ya what though…spray paint that message for Dorothy…say…ummm…John Deere green…on a bridge. Then we’ll see how long it takes GC&B to fix it up for us…you report it, ok?
By pat
April 7, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this
Judge Arrington, I am really very pleased that someone had the courage to say what needed to be said. Our youth don’t hear the things you said from their parents. That’s something that others admonishing you don’t realize. If one of the individuals present heard it—that’s one less crime being committed. Until you are a victim, anyone saying what you did was wrong needs their head examined.
By KIM
April 7, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this
Racism is not caring. As a matter of fact, Judge Arrington could have spoken to everyone because our human standards have sunken so low, no group is immune to the outside influences of those of us who allow such squallor to occur. Again, thank you Mr. Badie and thank you, Judge Arrington. My wish is that all adults could behave so responsibly. Thank heavens you are on the bench and have the courage to address societal ills. And you are not the only one who takes time to do that. But you finally brought attention to the action we all should take: stand up for what is right.
By What??
April 7, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this
To Kim: The problem was not the fact that he talked to them, the problem was that he asked all the “white people” to leave. If that had been reversed and a white judge asked all the “black people” to leave, it would have been racism, right? That’s not fair and that’s not right.
By Bruce Wilcox
April 7, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this
Political Foreskin are you saying it was a very poor attempt at satire? That you believe our court rooms should be forums for a judges personal beliefs? If so, you’re the type that believe the Ten Commandments should be posted in all courthouses. The type that believes that judges cannot travel to schools to offer sermons.
btw…the name fits you.
By Joyce Watts
April 7, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this
Judge Arrington
You are a man with so much character and honesty. The words you spoke to that crowd of young black African American children should have been mandated that a session of that type or a forum be given each day at the youth centers, church, the corner spot, hang out, joint (gathering) and even the home, house, backyard, kitchen etc.
We all should be rallying with you.
There are so few men among us BLACK people (MEN) who are willing to tell the truth no matter who it hurts or offends.
It is what Right that should matter the most and yet SADLY it never does receive any recgonition at all.
I do not live in the GA or as the state is more common called the ATL. I do however, visit your website to get the latest news and to find out what is happening there.
I do have a daughter and her son who reside in GA. It was very refreshing for me to read about Judge Arrington and how he took control of that court room on the day in question and how he was strong enough, and had the courage too to take the time to talk to our young black or if you prefer African American children who were in trouble.
It seems too often to me that we are criticized on every end, and that it definitely does not make sense to keep doing it to those who care about people but especially young gifted black or African American Children.
The view I got from sitting in front of my computer ad reading that article and at the same time reading the idiotic attack that this Jude had to endure and hear from those who do not care. Yes, I said those who do not care.
It worried you, because Judge Arrington was on to something greater than just verbally slapping these young people around or yelling “soft shoe” lies to them.
If he had then you would have not felt the need to cry “foul’ or show your ignorance and insanity about the overall plight that Judge Arrington had in mind when he simply asked for so private and honest time with them what was the number that was printed. Perhaps you feel that it was a misprint, well I was not there and i will give up a finger in saying that he was CORRECT about that 99.9 and they looked so much like him and me. Yes, if you did not know it fro the words above and before then you know it now I am in the percentile of belief that that court room was 99.9 represented by us. Does it not make you angry? It did me. So I am with Judge Arrington and I want to know to when will this MADNESS end ? How much more longer will all of you continue or to pretend to keep wearing BLINDERS around as if what happens to these young people absolutely does not matter. Well, it matters to Judge Arrington and so he simlpy saw the need to ask this of them: Please take a good look in the mirror, and look at yourselves. Do you like what you see? Do you not mind going to jail? Is this where you intend or want to be for today, and future days to come?
To those of you who call him a (racist) I know what you say about our youth and young adults just generally talking (conversation).
The one question I have for all of you is : What would you have said had this Judge not been Black or African American? Do not even begin to try and say that you care about these offenders. It is now and always have been your consenus that Blacks or the African American can do nothing except be an actor/actress, play sports and if by some chance we do make it through high schoo and can get in a college and complete the requirments that makes us SPECIAL. To most of you who are complaining and whining with that pacifier in your mouth, you will never ever simply see us as humans and apart of mankind.
Judge Arrington saw these young people with more of a need to receive that day some male bounding and a gentle touch of genuine compassion. I applaud him for doing just that.
When ever we do something good or outstanding it is by virtually through some form of a miracoulously miracle that we did it at all.
Judge Arrington, did what some of you have wanted to do for a very long time, but was too darn selfish and mean to reach out and extend a helping hand.
What really makes this so sad is the fact that more than 99.9 of us will die with a mean and unuseful wasted spirit. Most of us will die never ever having said to a fellow man that I am here for you and I care about you too. I see more for you and I know that I can help make a difference in your lives. Oh, how sad a day for all of us.
I/we had those teachers and mentors when I was in school. Somehow with integration and the break down of the family neighborhood, we stopped caring about one another, and we have definitely lost so much because of it. Yet, a few of us still work hard at holding on to that belief that if someone bothers to care we or he/she can make a difference in the lives of these young black or African Americans in these United States.
Judge Arrington, is just tired of seeing our detention camps, youth holding cells, and jails and PRISON house these people, and I agree and like so many others who just cannot tell him truthfully THANKS.
You are upset, because by some chance this Judge just might make a difference.
It scares you to think that our young gifted black African American men and women can do different and become what you cannot ever imagine them to be as citizens. Oh, yes that is right true trouble plus jail time in prison takes all of that away from them.
Judge Arrington, today and always you will have a (Standing Ovation) from those of us who knew what you meant and did for our young black African American childre. I submit to you today never ever back down and do not ever apologize for being RIGHT.
I often recall a guest speaker we had at the AME Church for our youth over fifteen years ago now. The one word he left with me and that shall always be resounding in my mind when the good get “slammed dunk” or verbally “put down’, or in someway is often tried to make to look foolish and wrong. This young Pastor who spoke to all of us but particulary the youth and young adults that fourth Sunday, simply stood tall and told each one of us present about doing and being right with all of the trimmings attached for beauty and good flavor too. That one word RIGHT resinated through out those four walls on that day and has lasted with me for a very long time.
“RIGHT” will and can always stand alone. It never needs help and you nor I no one can stop it from prevailing. So to you Judge Arrington, the word “Right” gives to you today and forever a “Standing Ovation” I hope that you rise to the occasion like you did recently and forever/always. I want to say to you, Judge Arrington that you were 200% right in telling it to those young people who either sat or stood before you in a legal very official setting. Thank you, and if ii were wearing a hat and I were in your presence even though I am a lady I definitely would have ‘tipped’ the hat rim around it on my head to you. These words are often said to a sailor he or she has done or accomplished something good or great, and the Navy feels proud, these words or phrase is often echoed “BRAVO ZULU” so to you this day April 07 2008, you are given these two awards “Citizen of Extra Ordinary Bravery. “Accommodation Medal of Honor and Truth To Power”
We could and should all have learned something from Judge Arrington.
Sadly, enough though it want happen because “misery carries with it all of that ugly company”. A fitting phrase to end with about our lack of in humanity to mankind.
Ms. Joyce M. T. Watts Pensacola, FL
By Cindy
April 7, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this
Ms. Watts,
In all respect to you, i’m not scared or worried…I like to see ALL people do the very best they can…there’s room for everyone.
By Political Foreskin
April 7, 2008 5:01 PM | Link to this
aw, U saw thru me. Darn, I’m going to go soak my head in the toilet now…..
The judge’s mistake was that he used segregation to advance the judicial process.
Maybe if you read more…..
By KIM
April 7, 2008 8:47 PM | Link to this
To What?? Why don’t you just ignore the temptation to make it a race thing and simply take it on its merit, which is good, and a heck of a lot better than what any person I have heard of lately doing. Give the judge credit. He is standing up for right. And, by the way, all of us parents ought to do the same thing: Teach our young people how to live within the law and learn some self respect.
By Alan
April 7, 2008 8:57 PM | Link to this
No where is it more important than a court of law to judge a man, not on the color of his skin, but the content of his character. If there are problems in the black community, that should be addressed but not in a court of law. Justice must remain color blind.
By Thelma W
April 8, 2008 8:30 AM | Link to this
I applaud Judge Arrington for the stand he took. I found NOTHING wrong with him asking all but Blacks leave the court room.
Sometimes we have to “take it to the house” and talk about it (I shouldn’t have to explain that one).
Every conversation isn’t for everyone. Seems there should be more focus on the fact that this man recognizes and is trying his best to address our troubled young people, especially the young men.
People are so quick to judge and not look at the “big picture”. We are trying to save our children by any means legally necessary.
There is a song that says “if I can help somebody as I go along my way; then my living shall not be in vain”
Have YOU excused all those around you to talk one-on-one with a troubled one lately? I have—I do it everyday
By Joyce Watts
April 15, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this
I need someone to tell me how to keep justice none color blind. It is virtualy impossible when all that I see on that tube called television is “color” I am by no means a woman without a vision but I am very strong in my conviction that the facts are overwhelming that over more than half of our prisons are housing people of color. I humbly and with “Truth To Power” agree with Judge Arrington.
When does this madness stop? I need someone to tell me how and when did we stop looking at ourselves as being the same(color)especially when you know that it will never ever be a fact of life. We can never be deemed serious about that corny phrase “I do not see color (in reference to people) I dare you anyone to line up the people in your office, church, gym, park, lunch line etc and tell me how do you not see color. They might not look like that Crayola Crayon Box but the shades of variation are definitely there. I dare you to simply look into each eye of the number of people you know the shades (colors)are there.
That guy on 20/20 is right “give me a break”
The day you/we are born each birth certificate tells the story. On that one legal piece of paper the color/race card begins, and I am a living example of that because I was born a Negro, and after giving birth to my first child that same word placed on her birth certificate. I am not ashamed of it, but I am intelligent enough to know that it placed us in what so many saw and still see as equal justice for all, yet separate facilities. I see that with this Obama race to the White House. There are those few and many who will continue to say that they have no fear of him becoming the next President of These United States. I know that they do not tell the truth if Senator Obama had completed full accrediation from Princeton, Howard, John-Hopkins,MIT, Stanford, Princeton, Emery, GT, FSU, FS and the list for those promising and prominent colleges are end less he (Obama) still would not be the right candidate for that address on 1600 Pensylvania Ave. The remarks made by the gentleman in KY about Obama/boy putting his hand or finger I am certainly not trying to (quote) him but the seriousness of his comment makes my case. What is ironic and yet comical is that if he (Obama) does get to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, and can get his hand on that button, a new button would be put in its place the day he leaves office. It is so shameful to see the brain of man/woman be so tiny with all the power and knowledge it can hold and how wonderfully useful it can empower us when we think “out of the box” and if we can ever truly become men and women of that true (unordinary)league and very special collective group of human beings. So all of your fears are so unjustifiable,we should be afraid of people who still think this way no matter your color. Joyce T. Watts Pensacola, FL
By Bobby Acklin
July 17, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this
There should be no opposition to the judge, he is correct in every way! Any opposition is merely a ploy to hamper the advancement of African Americans. Who care how it sounds…it’s the truth ! www.assbackwardsthebook.com check it out!!