The Value of a Man's Life
I know what I want and I go after what I want. I no longer believe that I am unworthy of having good things happen to me nor am I afraid of what may happen if I fail. I know that I will pick myself up again and come back stronger than ever. I know what I believe and I know I have every right to express my opinions. I know what is right and I am not afraid to get in your face when you are wrong. If me being passionate, opinionated, fiery and feisty makes me bitch or an Angry Black Woman, than so be it. I am not afraid or ashamed to be associated with these terms. The truth is we get things done and we are not afraid to tell it like it is. I have been struggling all day to write this blog post mainly because I have been running from my emotions. I do not want to come across as too emotional but sometimes you got to let your guard down to make your work meaningful. So I must advise you that the words that will follow will be dripping with fabulousness or some naive souls may call The Angry Black Woman.
Earlier today former BART officer by the name of Johannes Mehserle was sentenced to two years in jail for the "involuntary manslaughter" of Oscar Grant. The wonders of the American judicial system. It is already problematic that Mehserle was charged with involuntary manslaughter for shooting an unarmed handcuffed laying on his belly man in the back while he was cooperating with officials. So you would think that Mehserle would at least get the maximum sentence of 14 years behind bars but no Judge Robert Perry did not think so. He believed Mehserle was in the right and that Oscar Grant was some sort of "thug". I won't even go into the details of what he told Grant's family because I do not want to have a stroke on a Friday night. But I will mention that he had the audacity to tell the family that Oscar Grant, the young 22 year old caused his own death. I have to fan myself or I am going to give myself a heart attack. Grant was a baby, 22 years old that is too young. Judge Perry is allowing the 292 days Mehserle has spent in jail to serve as credit for his sentence. Which means Mehserle will be in jail for little over a year. That is travesty. There have been protests that the media is calling "riots". People have been getting arrested, its becoming total chaos. It would have gone smoothly if the police had allowed them to continue protesting. It looks like this could turn out to be another Rodney King riot. Unfortunate to think this his happening 18 years later. Makes you wonder how far we really have come.
What is the value of a Black Man's Life? Apparently 2 years.
Earlier today former BART officer by the name of Johannes Mehserle was sentenced to two years in jail for the "involuntary manslaughter" of Oscar Grant. The wonders of the American judicial system. It is already problematic that Mehserle was charged with involuntary manslaughter for shooting an unarmed handcuffed laying on his belly man in the back while he was cooperating with officials. So you would think that Mehserle would at least get the maximum sentence of 14 years behind bars but no Judge Robert Perry did not think so. He believed Mehserle was in the right and that Oscar Grant was some sort of "thug". I won't even go into the details of what he told Grant's family because I do not want to have a stroke on a Friday night. But I will mention that he had the audacity to tell the family that Oscar Grant, the young 22 year old caused his own death. I have to fan myself or I am going to give myself a heart attack. Grant was a baby, 22 years old that is too young. Judge Perry is allowing the 292 days Mehserle has spent in jail to serve as credit for his sentence. Which means Mehserle will be in jail for little over a year. That is travesty. There have been protests that the media is calling "riots". People have been getting arrested, its becoming total chaos. It would have gone smoothly if the police had allowed them to continue protesting. It looks like this could turn out to be another Rodney King riot. Unfortunate to think this his happening 18 years later. Makes you wonder how far we really have come.
What is the value of a Black Man's Life? Apparently 2 years.
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