More Than Just About Race?

[Kind of Blue]

That assessment is from the reporter who's followed this story more closely than anyone else. The question mark is mine.

Here we go. Please read or listen to this story when the audio is up.

"A legal drama has been playing out for almost three years in the Texas town of Clarksville of Red River County.

During that time, two black brothers have seen their lives turned upside down, and a white judge was recused from the case after allegations of judicial bias and criticism for pushing a drug case
that just about everyone urged him to drop."

http://www.npr.org/2010/09/24/130099092/civil-rights-judicial-bias-surround-texas-drug-case

[Kweli4Real]

1. Wow ... Just ... Wow

Not just about race? It's about the county being too poor to pay any judgment? Yeah, right. Please explain why they attempted to prosecute the two brothers, whom had never been in trouble, after the target of the drug investigation told them, 8 times, that they were not involved in, nor did they know about his dealing?

I keep coming back to my solutionh ... In cases of prosecutorial/judicial misconduct, everyone involved in the misconduct should receive the sentence that they sought for the victim of the misconduct ... In this case, the judge and prosecutor would be facing life in prison. I would bet that the instances of prosecutorial misconduct would cease over night.

[Kind of Blue]

3. I have never heard that solution and it's brilliant!

We're going through something similar with my brother right now. And, Kweli4Real, it's frightening. The Innocence Project finally called me back after months and months and I think they're going to take the case. It's not EVEN the severest of cases and we can't believe we're going through this incredibly frightening ordeal. It's still shocking what can happen to black men in this country - educated, uneducated, working men, family men, young and old doesn't, frickin' matter - you're still black and belong in your rightful place - jailed :cry:

The terrorism continues.

We all know it's going to be over soon, but got Innocence for assurance. The system knows what's coming and wouldn't I love the same punishment they doled out be given right back. They've fucked the wrong family.

[Kweli4Real]

8. My condolences to you and your family ...

But I beg to differ ...

You mentioned that "It's not EVEN the severest of cases", I have to say that there is no relativity ... if it's unjust and it's happening to you (or your family) it IS the most severe case ... it will have lasting, life-changing impact.

I wish you Good Luck, but better lawyers.

[Kind of Blue]

11. Thanks so much for your well wishes, Kweli4Real!

Absolutely, when it's happening to one's own is most severe. Just grateful that it isn't as horrible in the cases of so many, many men. And grateful that we're not in Texas. Got to count your blessings where and when you can.
Lawyers for sure have been the most problematic. Though I understand what's happening, I've never witnessed such a scared bunch of people. But so far we've had a few stepping in here and there who've given invaluable advice.

We'll see. But we're an optimistic bunch :hug:

[Number23]

6. "everyone involved in the misconduct should receive the sentence that they sought for the victim

of the misconduct." Wow. That sounds like something you'd hear about as being the law of the land on another planet. Like Krypton or something. :)

"Do your job or face the same sentence that you were trying to confer upon an innocent person?" Oh yeah. That would DEFINITELY solve alot of problems with misconduct.

[Kweli4Real]

7. But if you get a chance ...

Go to the NPR site. There is an accompanying story by the journalist that wrote the piece. In it he describes that the case has divided the Black community, with "middleclass Blacks, that owe their economic security to the towns white power structure, on the one hand and lower incomed blacks, who live in a virtually segregated state, on the other.

This is the real damage of instutitional racism, it divides a community that whites really want nothing to do with. So no, the power structure is not burning crosses or has Black folk to step off the curb when a white person approaches, the system certainly has "them" in their place.

[Kind of Blue]

12. Thanks, I missed that part.

Always the case, divide and conquer. Talk about having them in their place, how about that statue facing the black part of town. Yeah, I believe it's "really" facing Idaho :rofl:

[Brewman_Jax]

19. Good point

as shown by the lawn jockeys that are trotted out on RW media, esp. when the racist RW needs a dark-skinned face for spin purposes.

As shown, institutional racism and the racial caste system is beyond a bunch of robe-wearing cross-burning yahoos. The oppressors aren't needed since the oppressed are doing the work for them.

[Brewman_Jax]

2. Shades of the Tulia, TX case

I heard the article on the way home today. Sad to see that little has changed. :(

Like said above, if the state started prosecuting these racist local officials and tossing them in jail, this would stop in a hurry.

[Kind of Blue]

4. It sure would stop in a hurry.

I wonder how much of a chance in seeing such a legislation come about? Won't know unless I (we) try. I'm going to at least see into it.

[Brewman_Jax]

10. I wish you success

if there were any questions regarding race, look at the Duke Lacrosse team scandal. The DA in that case was fined, fired, and disbarred for prosecutorial misconduct because the accused were white. That level of consideration would never happen if the accused were non-white.

[Kind of Blue]

13. Thank you, Brewman!

After my brother defeated prosecutors in court in the brutality case - without a lawyer, the judge asked if there was any remedy. My brother said, no, there was no remedy, is taking the case further and would like to see the officers (of all races in this case, 3 whites, one Asian and an AA) get the same treatment.
Shortly after that and all of a mind-blowing sudden, they happened to find another charge that we are fighting now.

I'm sure it's because he said he wanted them to endure the same suffering, that set them off again. Whatever, they're gonna have to kill all of us to stop this from its inevitable conclusion. Still can't believe we're going through this though :cry:

[Number23]

5. KoB, this is an EXCELLENT story. Thanks for posting this

The stories of racial inequities in prison sentencing come from every where. And despite some exposure (though not nearly as much exposure as it should get) the stories seem to be INCREASING instead of decreasing. It is getting harder and harder for black folks to get genuine justice in this country, as your article reflects.

I don't care how wealthy, "edumacated," or high falutin' you may be. Break the law or even just have a cop (or apparently a judge) THINK you have, and you will learn very quickly how far this country has NOT come when it comes to race. What these brothers have had to endure is outrageous. I hope that the civil suit is picked back up and that they win every penny.

[Kweli4Real]

9. It could be argued ...

that the MORE wealthy, "edumacated," or high falutin' you are, the bigger target you have painted on your back ... It's just, maybe, we try to convince ourselves otherwise.

[Kind of Blue]

14. Interesting that you speak of

the stories decreasing. Of course we contacted the ACLU, but as I was told, police brutality cases just doesn't get them enough attention anymore. But here in my small red town, they marched in to represent students of the local high school newspaper who were being denied their free speech rights. Amazing. Believe me, the papers and media followed it to the very end.

[Number23]

15. You guys contacted the ACLU about this??

Wow, good for you, KoB! You took action instead of merely just noting how awful this was. You're fantastic. :loveya:

Edit: *Smacking head* I realize that you're saying you contacted the ACLU about your brother!! Good grief.
:blush: You know I'm not normally this thick, right?? :blush: :blush:

[Kind of Blue]

16. Oh, I hope you think I'm still fantastic though :)

"You know I'm not normally this thick, right??" Of course I know. It gets confusing and I wasn't entirely clear when jumping from the OP and my similar problem :hug:

[Number23]

17. Girl! Like you even have to ask!

I think your whole family is fantastic. Don't know if you've seen yet but I sent you a PM a few hours ago.

[Kind of Blue]

18. Aww, thank you!

Yes, I responded to the PM :hug: Sorry, it's rather long though :blush: