This is growing up?

First Mike Brown, Then Eric Garner: Prosecutors Can’t Be Trusted to Try Cops (via kenyatta)

“Not only are black men routinely, disproportionately victimized by the police but they are victimized by a legal system that refuses to hold the police accountable.” I want to emphasize that sentence of the piece, because it is not conjecture; it is reporting.

Statistics consistently show a consistent racial bias in the American justice system. Black offenders are more likely to be arrested than white, more likely to be jailed, and on average receive longer prison sentences then white offenders convicted of the same crime. And black men who are not attacking a police officer are far more likely to be killed by police than white men who aren’t attacking a police officer. 

There is just no question that systemic racism shapes the American legal system. 

(via fishingboatproceeds)

A lot of people in the coming days will say, “It’s not about race,” or, “The media is trying to make it about race.”

But look at the data from Missouri’s state government: Black residents of Ferguson are twice as likely to be stopped and/or searched as white residents, and they are far more likely to be arrested. But searches of black residents are much less likely to discover contraband than searches of white residents.

Around the country, when compared to white men, African American men are much more likely to be shot by police. They are more likely to be arrested. They are more likely to be convicted. And for the same crime, African American men will on average serve 20% more time in prison than a white man. 

“You Remind Me of Someone”

Hi, Chris. 

Thanks for staying after class.  I want to talk to you for a minute – I really loved your essay on The Great Gatsby.  I know you like to goof around and be the funny guy – and yes, I know you have a lot going on at home.  And if you ever need to talk about anything that’s on your mind, I’m here as an English teacher and as a friend.  But today I just want to let you know that I think you could become a writer someday.  You have a lot of potential.  In fact, you remind me of someone I knew when I was younger. 

I see a little bit of my Uncle Hector in you, Chris.  Wow, was he evera weird guy.  Always eating dried figs.  Huge shiny eyes.  No eyelashes at all.  Oh man, and he loved Garfield – he had shelves upon shelves full of Garfield collections in his garage.  I’ll never forget watching him rollerblade home from the Barnes and Noble on Sunday mornings with a JanSport full of Garfield books.  What a dude.

By the way, I have a copy of your essay with my comments here, if you’d like to ask me any questions about it.  Before we talk about that, I just want to get across how shiny Uncle Hector’s eyes were.  Shiny to the point where the whole time he was talking to you, you would be thinking, “Are those eyes or marbles?  Am I talking to a human or a giant living doll?”  I think of him when I look at your eyes, Chris.  I sense that you share his eyes.  And also his spirit.

So, on to your writing: I’ve been very impressed with all your assignments this semester and I can tell that you’d thrive if you got to work on some more creative projects.  The University of Iowa is nearby and has a great creative writing program that you should look into. 

Actually, Uncle Hector lived right by the University.  He was a cat groomer down at PetSmart for a few years.  Those cats didnot like him.  Honestly, until I went to pick him up there one day when one of the wheels fell off his recumbent bike, I’d never seen an animal take such a strong dislike to a person in my life.  It was shocking to watch.  But also, I can see where the cats were coming from.

Anyway, my Uncle Hector was not a writer, never wrote a word in his life.  But you could be, Chris.  Based on the drive and the talent I’ve seen from you, I really think you could.  God, when I look at you I just see him.

That’s all I wanted to tell you – I was just hoping to catch you early in the school year and let you know that writing is something to think about for your future.  It’s almost 3:00 now so you’re probably off to baseball practice, but if you have anything you’ve written that you’d like me to read over, shoot me an email anytime. 

Oh, and if you want to bring in a clarinet and play along with the soundtrack when we watch One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest in class next week , feel free.  My Uncle Hector used to do that for every movie.  And you two are exactly the same!

Okay, that’s all I’ve got for you, Chris!  I can bring an amp if you need it for the clarinet, just let me know in advance.  Have a good weekend!  Keep writing!