The Shaquanda Cotton Case
March 26th, 2007 by JUSTIN GARDNER
Southwest Bureau Chief for the Chicago Tribune, Howard Witt, just contacted me with an important update about the remarkably unjust, race-motivated sentencing of Shaquanda Cotton in Paris, TX.
Just in case you haven’t heard the backstory, I’ll let Shaquanda tell you herself from the “About Me” section on her blog Free Shaquanda Cotton:
I am a 14-year-old black freshman who shoved a hall monitor at Paris High School in a dispute over entering the building before the school day had officially begun and was sentenced to 7 years in prison. I have no prior arrest record, and the hall monitor–a 58-year-old teacher’s aide–was not seriously injured. I was tried in March 2006 in the town’s juvenile court, convicted of “assault on a public servant” and sentenced by Lamar County Judge Chuck Superville to prison for up to 7 years, until I turn 21. Just three months earlier, Superville sentenced a 14-year-old white girl, convicted of arson for burning down her family’s house, to probation.
Now onto the update from the Chicago Tribune:
HOUSTON — The sentences of many of the 4,700 delinquent youths now being held in Texas’ juvenile prisons might have been arbitrarily and unfairly extended by prison authorities and thousands could be freed in a matter of weeks as part of a sweeping overhaul of the scandal-plagued juvenile system, state officials say.Jay Kimbrough, a special master appointed by Texas Gov. Rick Perry to investigate the system after allegations surfaced that some prison officials were coercing imprisoned youths for sex, said he would assemble a committee to review the sentence of every youth in the system.
And about Shaquanda specifically…
Among the leading candidates for early release is Shaquanda Cotton, a 14-year-old black girl from the small east Texas town of Paris, who was sent to prison for up to 7 years for shoving a hall monitor at her high school while other young white offenders convicted of more serious crimes received probation in the town’s courts.Shaquanda’s story was the subject of a March 12 Tribune article that triggered hundreds of Internet blog articles and thousands of message board postings and led to a nationwide letter-writing campaign to the Texas governor decrying perceived racial discrimination in her case.
Cotton, now 15, has been incarcerated at a youth prison in Brownwood, Texas, for the last year on a sentence that could run until her 21st birthday. But like many of the other youths in the system, she is eligible to earn earlier release if she achieves certain social, behavioral and educational milestones while in prison.
But officials at the Ron Jackson Correctional Complex have repeatedly extended Shaquanda’s sentence because she refuses to admit her guilt and because she was found with contraband in her cell–an extra pair of socks.
Socks? I guess Texas is like a whole other country.
This is good news people. Very good news. And I hope we’ll all continue to blog about this story so the momentum against these racist incarcerations will build and get them reversed quickly.
And apparently, we’ve already had an impact…
If you had Googled the black girl’s name, Shaquanda Cotton, the day before the story was published on the front page of the March 12 edition of the Tribune, you would have gotten zero results. On Monday afternoon, there were more than 35,000 hits.The story has been picked up on more than 300 blogs around the country, many of them concerned with African-American affairs. It has generated thousands of postings to Internet message boards.
It was the top story on digg.com, a site that ranks Internet pages by user popularity and recommendations. It became the most-viewed and most-e-mailed story on chicagotribune.com more than a week after it was originally published, which is particularly remarkable because most news stories on the site automatically expire after just a few days.
And now the story has jumped across the ethernet into the physical world: Dozens of talk-radio stations across the nation were buzzing about Shaquanda last week, protests on her behalf were held in Paris, a petition- and letter-drive aimed at Texas Gov. Rick Perry and the judge in the case, Chuck Superville, is under way, and civil rights leaders from the NAACP and the ACLU to the Rev. Al Sharpton are weighing whether to get involved.
I leave you with three words: Free Shaquanda Cotton.
This entry was posted on Monday, March 26th, 2007 at 7:32 pm and is filed under Crime, Racism, Internet News Media, Society. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
March 26th, 2007 at 8:12 pm
There are times Texas can be SO embarrassing, and this is certainly one of many injustices that seem to always fall upon blacks rather than whites, particularly in smaller towns.
That said, while I have no problem with the NAACP and the ACLU or any other organization or individual committed to helping her rather than themselves getting involved, I really hope Sharpton stays away. He rarely seems to bring anything to the table except publicity for himself, and to cause some people to immediately suspect the worst for the aggrieved person, given his track record.
March 26th, 2007 at 8:12 pm
Just another reason I (and most Southerners) don’t claim Texas as part of the “South”. Maybe we stumble ethically/morally from time to time over race, but Texas just loves to fall off the friggen cliff OFTEN.
March 26th, 2007 at 8:23 pm
AR I agree with you on Sharpton. Another black eye for Texas is the case of -
Wesley “Wes” Owens, Dallas Stone, Jame Cory Hicks and Christopher Colt Amox beating Billy Ray Johnson(mentally impared black man) and their entences.
March 26th, 2007 at 9:18 pm
SHARAUNDA MAY BE RELEASED SOON!!! See my latest post.
March 26th, 2007 at 9:46 pm
How much of equal in ‘equal under the law’ you get always depends on how you look and how much you can afford to pay for your share of “equal”.
March 27th, 2007 at 12:06 am
I have a suggestion for a sequal to Thomas Frank’s book, What’s the Matter wit Kansas?
It’s called What the Heck’s with Texas?
March 27th, 2007 at 3:30 am
I suggest you go read the articles in the Paris, Texas Newspaper. They paint a very different story than the one in the Chicago Tribune Article.
One of the articles claimed that Ms. Cotton has been in trouble before (but as activist usually do they hide behind privacy laws when claiming that someone is a “good kid”), that the mother hurt Ms. Cotton’s chances at trial and chances for probation, and that ,as usualy for activist, the Chicago Tribune story was telling lies but using facts (acts of omission).
The real question would be is how did the white arsonist and her parents respond to the criminal justice system versus Ms. Cotton and her mother.
March 27th, 2007 at 3:46 am
Oh, please. “Being in trouble before” should have been dealt with appropriately when it happened, not used as a lame excuse for a SEVEN YEAR prison sentence for a shoving incident. Good kid, bad kid, troubled kid, kid who needs to learn a lesson — in none of these cases is a SEVEN YEAR sentence at all appropriate for the offense.
March 27th, 2007 at 4:13 am
Mary,
If you read the article carefully is says for up to 7 years depending on behavoir.
If you go look at the Paris News website, the mother filed a civil rights complaint more than a year before the assault charge. The daughter was obviously having severe problems at school more than a year before the final incident. The daughter also pled not guilty, was found guilty by a jury, refused to apologize, and refuse to make amend. The news articles also started that the local social workers believe that returned Ms. Cotton to her mother would make the situation worse.
Ask yourself this: If you were a white blue collar family living in Paris, would you want your children to be in the same classroom with a violent teenager who was given probation after assaulting a school employee. I doubt that anyone would.
March 27th, 2007 at 5:09 am
Superdestroyer - NO WHERE else in the US would a potential 7 year sentence be imposed on a 14 year old for shoving. If she murdered someone as a juvenile, the normal sentence is incarceration until age 21 also. If she were your kid, would you still believe in the same sentence? As a teenager did you ever do something stupid like she did? Maybe you did not get caught but have you ever shoved or hit anyone? Would you gladly accept a potential 7 year sentence ofr your behavior. How about for some underage drinking or smoking - what should the sentance be for that? You should get off your high horse!!!!
March 27th, 2007 at 5:35 am
What are the odds that an ADD kid with her issues would serve only one year? This is a detention centre for hard core juvenile offenders. Why is kid who got convicted for the first time — for shoving, not murder, not arson — sent to a place like this for even one year? It’s not a proportionate response at all.
If her mother is a professional victim, or unpleasant to deal with, or considered to be an unfit parent, why is the solution to JAIL HER CHILD? There are ways to deal with this girl’s behaviour without imprisoning her.
And I think, as a parent, that I might be a wee bit concerned about a convicted arsonist being allowed to go back to school. After all, how many kids have fantasized about blowing up or burning down their school? Arsonist or serial shover? Serial shover or arsonist? Decisions, decisions …
March 27th, 2007 at 5:45 am
jdledell,
I believe that very few people were ever guilty of assaulting a 58 y/o woman when they were 14. I find it odd that you would identify with the perpetrator instead of with the other students in her school. Too many American children are not learning because they sit in the same classroom with violent children. I think that the last place a 14 violent girl needs to be is in any classroom where children are trying to learn. However, I can understand the knee jerk reaction of siding her the felon and her delinquient mother instead of with the parents and children who can follow the rules. In too many people’s worldview, all a criminal has to do is scream “I am a victim” and everyone takes there side.
March 27th, 2007 at 5:58 am
SD - While she may ‘have been in trouble before’, she had NEVER been arrested. That leaves getting in trouble at school as the only real ‘prior record’.
So, we are back to a 14 year old girl, who because she is black, her mother is an activist, and she refused to bow down to the judge and ‘accept responsibility’ for overblown charges, gets sentenced to JAIL.
This is typical abuse of power that happens all the time in small Texas towns, by judges and police departments that run around believing that the feudal system is alive and well, and they are the local barons.
I have said many times before, I am WAY more liberal than it appears on the board (partly because this board is more left-leaning than it is willing to admit), but trust me, em and my family would be ostracized and damn near run out of town in those places. That is why I choose to live in Austin, and wouldn’t live anywhere else in Texas.
We could fill an entire post with a list of the current and recent injustices against blacks, Hispanics, gays, and other non-white good-ol’-boys here in Texas. We even have a little saying here. When asked if we are from Texas, we say ‘No, I am from Austin.’
March 27th, 2007 at 6:06 am
SD - and in too many people’s view, if a judge says they are guilty, they must be. But we all know that is not true.
I also have a real issue with this being called assault. That is the core of the injustice. This was not assault, it was pushing past someone, which was then trumped up. Texas has some real cute laws on their books for tin-horned police to use, such as this, and two of my favorites, assault by contact (to people bump each other, one claims it was on purpose), and verbal assault (calling someone bad names. Yes, that is actually criminal in many Texas towns).
These types of community’s law enforcement and judicial systems really need to get bitch-slapped down on occasion, just to ensure the rights of everyone.
March 27th, 2007 at 6:11 am
Austinroth,
My guess is that you are from the white part of Austin and that you children go to school with mainly other whites. Do your children attend/will attend Austin Westlake or Austin Reagan?
March 27th, 2007 at 6:15 am
Austinroth,
Actually the Jury found Ms. Cotton guilty, the judge sentenced her to the youth authority. What to bet on who showed up for jury duty and who skipped?
You still did not answer the question: would you want your children in the same classroom with Ms. Cotton if she is released from jail and returned to her school. If the New Black Panthers, NAACP, and ACLU free her, will that give her a “get-out-of-jail-free” card that can be used to abuse other teachers and students? How can anyone complain against Ms. Cotton if she is freed this time?
March 27th, 2007 at 6:25 am
Y’all need to read this post over at my online home okayplayer.com
14-yr old blk girl jailed for 7 yrs
March 27th, 2007 at 6:29 am
SD - your prejudice and bias is showing for all to see.
My children go to (in the case of my son, went, as he is now in college) to the Leander Schools District, as I live slightly north of Austin proper, but within what is commonly accepted as the Greater Austin Metropolitan area.
This are is on the edge of the city and rural areas, and has a much higher percentage of minority students, particularly Hispanic, as do the ‘good’ school districts of Austin.
My children were also born in Hawaii, and I have raised them to be race neutral, and have succeeded. They have friends of all races, and have dated across all racial lines.
Quite frankly, I resent your insinuations. What is the matter, you cannot accept that people have different opinions than you without trying to vilify them, or without casting unfounded accusations of hypocrisy, in the hopes that they may stick?
Do you still beat your wife, and have you stopped molesting your daughter?March 27th, 2007 at 6:31 am
ChuckPrez,
If you will look at the Paris News, you will see that the 19 white male was involved in a two car accident on an ice covered road. Your leaving out of detials is how activist tell lies by using facts. You also do not know if the arson suspect plead guilty instead of innocent, what role the parents played, or what the conditions of probation.
In the Paris News, it was reported that the Mother of Ms. Cotton was not willing to comply with the children welfare agencies. Why should the government go out of the way for someone who will not work for the benefit of their children.
March 27th, 2007 at 6:34 am
SD - yes, from everything I have heard of this case, and the girl, and her mother, I would have NO problem not only with my daughter going to school with her, but being good friends.
They are being punished for refusing to ‘play the game’ and standing up for what they think is right. They refuse say that the girl was in the wrong for reacting back to what they have consistently claimed was a reaction to being pushed first, to faked injuries, and to trumped up charges.
Her mother has raised a strong-willed girl who apparently doesn’t drink, do drugs, and has a strong structured home life, just not one that says let people walk all over you. I agree with her mother from everything I have read, from both sides.
In fact, the more i read, the less I think it is necessarily racial per se, but rather trying to beat an individualist mother and daughter into conformity.
March 27th, 2007 at 6:37 am
Austinroth,
If your children attended Leander High school, Greatschools.com indicate that it was 8% black students. Paris High School is 40% black and 50% white. I find your “some of my best friends are black” argument laughable when you probably choose where you lived based upon the quality of the schools which quickly translates into the percentage of white students. What would you have done if your children would have been in the areas for Johnson, Crockett, or Travis High Schools. My guess is that your children would have ended up in private schools with the other white kids.
March 27th, 2007 at 6:42 am
Whether or not she had behavior problems before, there is no reason to give her a jail sentence, especially 7 years! I went to an almost all white high school, in an upper class area no less, and the same behavior is present. It does not matter whether white or black or hispanic, there are always students present who are going to act this way. The problem is no school knows how to handle the problem.
I would also be curious as to why she shoved the teachers aide. It could be that the aide was baiting her.
Also, this reveals problems in our criminal system. At most, she deserved a sentence of a few weeks of community service and some counseling. We should not just be sending people to prison. People will continually holler, “but they are a danger to society”, well then create a system that will help them and make them productive members of society. Just throwing them in jail/prison is not going to help, in fact it makes their behavior worse. Also, the fact that such programs would cost money is bull, since eventually with investment in such programs the prison population will be reduced, less repeat offenders, and more productive members of society. Also, less need for law enforcement. In all that would be an overall reduction in costs.
But I forgot, the economy needs a glut of prisoners so we have a reason to pay companys a hefty price to build new prisons to hold them all. We also need the bad behavior, otherwise there would be no more crime shows like Cops, and where would we get our entertainment then?
March 27th, 2007 at 6:48 am
Superdestroyer - You still have not answered my questions about your activities when you were young. Have you ever done anything wrong in your life? Or are you a perfect human being? It seems to me there is something in the Christian Bible about “He who is without sin, casting the first stone”. Your racism and hypocrisy are showing through clear as a bell.
March 27th, 2007 at 7:00 am
What is wrong with suspending her from the school. Many districts have a school for problem children, a chance for redemption. In the same town some white kids recieved PROBATION for arson. The chance for arson resulting in murder/death is much greater that a pushing incident. SD Pull your hood and sheet off and relax…
March 27th, 2007 at 7:13 am
SD - I am quickly realizing that you are a racist pig. This is not an ad hominum attack, but rather a comment on the obviously racist opinions and positions you are taking.
As to the schools and location I live in, to the extent it is relevant, I choose where I lived based to an extent on the schools, but their quality, not their ethnicity, and there were many other factors.
There are advantages to having higher income in choosing where you live, but any Hispanic, black, etc., can make the same choices, and there are many affordable and low-end housing choices within the Leander school district. This is not the Eanes school district by any means, and if you notice, our spending per student is below the state average. But they get good results.
You also conveniently ignore that Leander schools, while majority white (as is Austin), are 72% white, not 92% as you tried to imply. They are 18% Hispanic, and and 4% other. A nice, diverse ethnic mix.
March 27th, 2007 at 7:20 am
SD - I also forgot. When we lived in Hawaii, my kids went to the public schools there as well, and the schools they attended there were 24% white. Unlike many, I did not remove them from the public schools, simply because I didn’t want to give them a ‘privileged’ upbringing.
So take your racist attitudes and shove them where the sun don’t shine.
March 27th, 2007 at 8:00 am
LOL AR and jdledell on the same page. AR can’t play the Devils Advocate on this one. AR- You are a closet Liebrul…..
March 27th, 2007 at 8:49 am
This string of comments is disturbing with a capital D.
The girl’s mother and family ahould have nothing to do with her sentence. It is not appropriate to punish the girl for her familly’s sins.
Let’s assume the worst and say she shoved the aide on purpose for no good reason. For that - 7 years? There are a number of appropriate punishments between a pat on the hand and a prison sentence.
Also, one girl is not the test for the appropriate racial mix in a school.
You can not hang all the community’s problems on the back of one child, even were she a misbehaving one.
March 27th, 2007 at 9:10 am
I agree, Rudi, she should have been suspended from school-not prosecuted for felonious assault. Texas is in its own world when it comes to administering justice fairly.
I also find it disturbing that the girl was judged on the basis of her mother’s conduct-that’s not how our system is supposed to work. I hope she attains her freedom ASAP.
SD- Why is this even a black/white issue? If you didn’t know her race, wouldn’t the verdict be shocking? Then it should be just as outrageous once you do know. I don’t find any of your opinions thoughtful or moderate- just knee-jerk.
March 27th, 2007 at 9:25 am
“If she murdered someone as a juvenile, the normal sentence is incarceration until age 21 also.”
I think a lot of states are trying violent youthful offenders as adults these days, not keeping them incarcerated until age 21. Do the crime, do the time…
March 27th, 2007 at 9:27 am
Austinroth,
I always point out the actions taken byose of the left side of the political spectrum with their own children. You, like most white liberals, made decisions for your own children that you would accuse others of being racist for doing the exact same things.
If you had stayed in hawaii I bet you kids who have begged for you to send them to private high school, like over 30% of all K-12 students in Oahu. Look at the decisions that Barak Obama’s parents and grandparents made to send him to Punahou instead of a public school like Moanoloa or Radford High School (the two whitest high schools in Honolulu).
You can call others racist but you should answer the question of what would you do if your children were in the same class. My guess is that you would immeidately complain to the school and pull your children out.
domajot,
If you look at the articles in the Paris, Texas news, they imply that the family situation is part of the juvenille justice system. If the parents are not going to assist in complying with the terms of the probation, then other steps are taken.
jdledell,
I can say that I have never assaulted an adult in my entire life. Why should the teacher’s aide have to give up her rights because the assault happened inside a school. If a 14 y/o girls is willing to assault a 58 y/o white while attempting to tresspass, then what will she do to 13 y/o fellow students.
Kritter,
this is a black/white issue because the mothers and the child made it a racial issue. When the New Black Panthers are having a march in the town and the African-American Assistant Superintendent is being called an uncle tom, then the racial aspect of the issue if at the forefront.
March 27th, 2007 at 9:49 am
… and none of your verbiage justifies putting that girl into jail.
March 27th, 2007 at 9:57 am
SD - you are unhinged. I am not sure where you get off telling me what i would or wouldn’t do, especially when I have already made my philosophy on such matters perfectly clear. You are, in essence, calling me a liar, and without any foundation other than you don’t like my views. FU, then. That is indicative of your mindset, and why you would support jailing a 14 year old for political purposes.
Also, I may be more liberal than a lot (maybe most) conservative/libertarians, but lets take a vote on this board. How many here that are aware of my overall postings over the past few years will label me a liberal?
Careful SD - you just might have made Rudi pee his pants! LOL
March 27th, 2007 at 10:10 am
AustinRoth,
Since you will not answer the single question of what would you do if it was your child, then we can all assume that you would get your child out of that class as quickly as possible, accusation of racism be damned.
I see that you are from the Hillary Clinton/Barack Obama school of leading from the rear. If you would not put your own children into a classroom with a violent felon, then why should you expect anyone else to do it. Yet, you immediately called all of the whites in Paris, Texas racist rednecks because they took the side of the teachers aide, the school system, and the juvenille justice system instead of the predator.
March 27th, 2007 at 10:16 am
SD-When Libby was sentenced, in their view unjustly, Conservative publications immediately began lobbying for a pardon. Before the trial, they protested that Libby was being unfairly treated because the original leaker remained at large.
Why is it different if a black child is sentenced unjustly and black interest groups protest the verdict?
At least Libby had the benefit of a highly paid, talented defense atty, which is more than we can say for Shaquanda. She deserves a harsh sentence because the New Black Panthers got involved in her case?
March 27th, 2007 at 10:31 am
kritter,
Libby is not going to be sitting in a classroom next to a 13 y/o student. That is the difference. Why are those on the left so excited about criminals back into schools? why has not one post been about the other students at the school and their ability to go to school in peaceful conditions. Virtually every post has identified with a violent criminal instead of the many students in Paris Texas who want to actually learn something instead of assaulting 58 y/o teachers aides.
March 27th, 2007 at 10:38 am
SD - what the F are you talking about?
I said clearly I would leave my daughter in the class:
If you were referring to Hawaii, then I already stated I did NOT remove my children from the Hawaii public schools when I lived there (son through 7th grade, daughter through 4th).
And I didn’t call all whites of Paris racists. I implied that the police and justice systems there are racist (and in many other small, rural Texas communities), and I said that racism MAY be part of the reason for the sentence, but that I was leaning more towards slapping down the family for standing up for themselves (race neutral) as the true reason.
However, I certainly, unhesitatingly, and without qualification called YOU a racist. In fact, a racist pig, if I remember my wording correctly.
March 27th, 2007 at 10:42 am
SD-Maybe shoving an adult doesn’t make you a hardened, violent criminal- just a misbehaving kid- I notice you prefer to judge her as such and the shove as an all-out assault—suspension would have been ok or maybe even expulsion, but not a 7 -year sentence to a juvenile facilty. That’s a bit excessive. In my area she would have gotten a suspension. Repeat behavior would have merited expulsion –and admittance to an alternative school not jail time.
March 27th, 2007 at 11:19 am
I know whose back will be the first against the wall when the revolution comes.
Unfortunately, it’s perfectly random who will be the second. We are not building a safe society when we jail people for the color of their skin.
March 27th, 2007 at 11:21 am
http://volokh.com/posts/chain_1116021715.shtml
This white jury thought a assault by four whites on a black impared man didn’t even merit seven months. What is wrong with Texas, makes the Soutth East look tolerant.
March 27th, 2007 at 11:30 am
AustinRoth may I suggest you give up? Either SD is not listening or he just doesn’t care. You could, at this point, say you are married to a black woman and celebrate kwanza and it really still wouldn’t matter, don’t waste your breath.
If all this kid did was shove a teacher, the sentence is unjust, period. I don’t care if she’s a total mini-bitch, if her mother is even worse, and if the black panthers screamed in the streets, 7 years for pushing is way over the line.
I went to a public inner city high school, whites were, at the most 10-15%. I had to deal with my share of a-holes and criminals, but I never, ever, saw anything that warranted jail, expulsion yes, jail no. And I saw a good deal more than shoving.
March 27th, 2007 at 1:32 pm
While it was called a “push” it was clearly more since the injuries that the defence claimed were “faked” would not of come from a simple push. This girl was not sentenced to 7 years but to a term of no more than 7 years (when she turns 21) and could be let out at any time the Texas youth commission recommends. Trying to pretend that we know the full situation is absurd. That from a few hundred words you know better than a jury is a joke. You here from one side and think thats all there is to the story? Get real.
March 27th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
Found a little bit of info on the case. Reads a little different
March 27th, 2007 at 2:08 pm
Austinroth,
After reading the post by Eric, would you still want your daughter to be in the same class as Ms. Cotton. I know that in the real world, most parents would be demanding that somethng be done with Ms.Cotton to keep her from attacking their children. Of course, in your world political correctness is more important than the schools for those redneck racist that inhabit everywhere in Texas outside of the white suburbs of Austin.
I notice that the one thing you would never propose is that the mother of Ms. Cotton is a raving racist who teaches hatred of whites and hatred of authority at home. That should be suspected when a 14 y/o feels entitled to shove a 58 y/o white teachers aide.
Kritter,
If the teacher pressed charges there is nothing that the schools could do. The explusion/suspension is separate from the courts system. Maybe the Paris, Texas schools have started using the courts to try to maintain control in school for students that in school punish just does not work.
March 27th, 2007 at 3:10 pm
It’s just so easy for you, isn’t it?
March 27th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
This reminds me of the Duke rape hoax . So many people believed the accuser because the story fit their own predetermined bias. The accuser was said to have been brutally raped, beaten, and strangled. Her supporters believed medical reports showed the strangulation marks and bruises. But that was later proven to be false.
When in doubt shout racism and you have a large audience who will fall in line regardless of the actual facts.
SD is correct in this regard. There were several Black teachers and administrators who testified against this girl. Also, the 58 year old monitor was injured and required medical attention .BUT NOTICE HOW NONE OF THAT WAS MENTIONED BY HER DEFENDERS ! The left that out on purpose. Also, by saying the kid was never arrested they wanted to
leave the impression that this was a well behaved child. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The kid was a constant trouble maker.
The kid was found guilty of committing a violent assault. There were several Blacks as well as Whites who testified against her. The only side which brought race into the matter was the defense when the facts were stacked against them.
As I said before, when in trouble shout racism. There are plenty of people who won’t care about the actual facts.
March 27th, 2007 at 8:25 pm
AustinRoth Says:
March 27th, 2007 at 10:38 am
SD - what the F are you talking about?
I said clearly I would leave my daughter in the class:
“SD - yes, from everything I have heard of this case, and the girl, and her mother, I would have NO problem not only with my daughter going to school with her, but being good friends.�
Austin , did you say that prior to knowing all the facts in this case? Do you consider violence appropriate in a case such as this? Keep in mind the kid had been going to the school for quite some time now. Also, she was trying to gain admittance before the allowed time. I think 14 is old enough to know she was required to wait and to enter through the proper door which she had done so many times before this incident. The kid doesn’t have a leg to stand on in my opinion. She wanted to enter and didn’t want anyone to tell her otherwise. Imagine if all the other kids wanted to do the same. you simply can’t run a large school this way and maintain order.
I think the facts are clear. This kid just doesn’t accept authority nor does she care for the concept of personal responsibility . She learned this from her mother. I’m fine with her punishment. She should learn that she can get out when she starts to act like a human being. Sadly, all the protests will probably win her an earlier release and she will consider her behavior justified.Does anyone want to wager on what kind of citizen she will become ?
March 27th, 2007 at 9:18 pm
Sorry to disappoint, but yes I did my own research, and know the ‘facts’ of the case, and still stand by my comments.
I quite frankly don’t believe the school’s version of the story, and I am a firm anti-authoritarian. I consider Pink Floyd’s The Wall a documentary.
I don’t accept authority for authority’s sake, and don’t think anyone should. ‘Refusing to accept personal responsibility’ are just code words for ‘won’t kow-tow and falsely admit to guilt even though they believe they are innocent.’
I also know from personal experience that many school teachers and most administrators don’t like strong-willed, independent-minded children (or parents), even when they are outstanding students. And that they will lie, persecute selected students, and abuse their petty authorities.
Not that there aren’t outstanding, caring teachers and administrators, too, but those I have interacted with are as disgusted by the system and prevailing mindsets as I am, and do what they can to help nurture individualism, but usually end up being ostracized as ‘not being team players’ themselves, and leave teaching.
And finally, as others have said, there is simply no justification for a sentence of that nature for an individual that had no previous criminal history of any type, for an incident that both parties characterized as shoving. Even if you accept the claims of injury, which I still say are trumped up, they were an unintended consequence, and no one has ever claimed any intent to injure.
March 27th, 2007 at 11:39 pm
Austinroth,
My guess is that it was a 14 y/o white male who had a history of trouble in school who had assaulted a 58 y/o black female you be taking the opposite side of the argument.
You would probably never be preachng anti-authoritarianism if the races were reserved. You would probably be screaming hate crime and the need for reduction of all of the racist redneck whites in Paris Texas.
If you are worrying about people staying in teaching, I wonder how many of quit of being assault by students. I wonder how many of quit aftering facing the overt hostility from their black students.
March 28th, 2007 at 6:50 am
It is horribly unfair what has happened to Shaquana. I want to aid her in any way possible. I’m an 18 year old high school student in Stephenville, TX. If there is any way for me to help let me know. I’ll pray for her constantly.
March 28th, 2007 at 1:46 pm
I have posted at least 10 b blogs on Shaquanda’s site. Not one of them have been posted. “Why? Only ones in support of her show up.
Why want her mother sign a waiver for PISD to realease all and I mean all records of this girl. PISD does not prosecute. I sub some in the PISD and I would have filed charges myself if anyone black or white did to me what this young lady did.
I hear the name calling from Shaquanda’s side. From the people who come here to protest. Is is vulgar and uncalled for. Let’s see has PISD or Judge Superville come out and said something vulgar about the mother. I can say I personally don’t know Ms. Cherry, but she is quick to call out others who are not saying anything bad about her.
Sign the release Ms. Cotton. You singed a release for this media coverage. You’ve helped bring in outsiders to stir up trouble. You have scared our children in school. You have disrupted our homes, our lives and now these very people call for a boycott of our stores. How much more do you want to hurt this community to get your way?
Personally I have a son in school and I pray that I have taught him to respect people in charge. I can say that if my son did what your daughter did he would be down at the same place. I wouldn’t be demanding his release. I would hope he would learn a valuable lesson.
One thing that confusses me is Shaquanda has already said that she did shove the lady. I support her decision to file charges. What I don’t understand now is why your daughter want do the same thing with the TYC who is working with her. Does she believe she didn’t do anything wrong and that you will get her out and then she can do as she pleases.
Paris has always been a wonderful place to live. And I have lived in Atlanta and other places. I chose to come badk to Paris where I was raised. If this is such a bad place, why are you still here. If it doesn’t stand for what you believe why are you here?
LAST SIGN THE RELEASE GET EVERYTHING IN THE OPEN. GOD ALREADY KNOWS THE TRUTH.
March 28th, 2007 at 1:56 pm
The Paris Independent School District has been under investigation by U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights since 2003 over the issue of racial disparity in punishment. Among the dozen complaints was the case of Creola Cotton, mother of a student (Shaquanda), who complained about excessively disciplinary action taken against her child and racism inside her school. The young lady had been cited for “wearing a skirt that was an inch too short, pouring too much paint into a cup during an art class and defacing a desk that school officials later conceded bore no signs of damage.�
The mother chose the U.S. Department of Education’s Civil Rights Division to air her grievance [OCR Docket No. 06061065, filed Nov. 28, 2005]. The investigation focused on noncompliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. And so, the case of Creola and Shaquanda Cotton’s will still under investigation when the alleged shoving incident took place. The mother also led a protest against the school system and aided other black parents to file discrimination complaints.
The authorities say the mother and the daughter would not “cooperate�. But the terms of cooperation includes an admission of guilt on the part of Shaquanda to the crime of delinquency. They call this coercive technique “accepting responsibility for her criminal behavior�. Without this confession, authority cannot help or treat the child’s anger management issues. But Shaquanda will not confess- at least, not while her appeal is pending. A confession would undermine her right to an innocence defense.
When cooperation with the authorities means giving a confession or accepting guilt before exhausting due process of administrative review, school authorities and the criminal justice system are exercising unconstitutional coercion in threatening the separation of mother and daughter.
As a result of the Education Department’s civil rights investigation of possible violations against Shaquanda by the Paris School system, the compliance review concluded:
“Information obtained regarding the removal of the complainant’s daughter by the state to a juvenile detention facility, OCR complaint No. 06061065, will be closed as of the date of this letter and the issues and concerns raised regarding discrimination on the basis of race regarding discipline will be reviewed as a part of the Title VI compliance review.�
They disposed of the case because the child was sent to a juvenile detention facility by the State. She was now in state’s hands and the state’s responsibility, having taken away the rights of the mother. Although it may appear the mother failed this child, it is evident that she cared enough to file a complaint against the school system with federal civil rights attorneys. Some would think this is a classic case of a mother defending a child with attitude issues and behavioral problems. In the public’s mind, the mother is the stereotype and scapegoat for the public schools’ failures. Apologists have come forth to defend the Paris Independent School District. But what they fail to see is how some black children’s attitude got bent out of shape to begin with.
One of the civil rights complaints against the school district, filed June 24, 2004, “told OCR staff on Sept. 9, 2004, that a teacher witness at Travis had informed her that another teacher told a racially offensive joke, specifically “How are blacks like ‘apples’? According to the complainant, the alleged harasser responded by stating that, ‘They both look good hanging from a tree.’� The teacher was reprimanded and later resigned.
This was not the only such case. There were other reported incidents of a similar nature, many without “sufficient evidence�, along with a pattern of harsher punishment handed out to black students for disciplinary infractions. Long before Shaquanda Cotton entered her freshman year, there was an atmosphere of racism inside Paris school system that warranted the initial attention of the OCR. And, it became evident from the records that this child Shaquanda had issues that led to an excessive number of incident reports. The assault charge was waiting to happen, almost as if a wishful end to the civil rights investigation.
March 28th, 2007 at 2:27 pm
People,
If you seriously believe that this poor girl was not railroaded by these racist motor scooters, I have only two words for you: Tulia, Texas.
What part of racist motor scooters do you not understand.
March 28th, 2007 at 5:42 pm
Great CO cite a case with no real connection but the supposed racism to prove that there was racism that allows you to connect the two as racism that proves that everything has racism………….whatever
March 28th, 2007 at 6:48 pm
i am very disturbed by some of the postings by sd. i understand kind of where michaelf is coming from in regards to Shaquanda Cotton knowing better than to try and enter a school w/o permission b/c if she didnt try to do that, then there may not have been a reason for anything to be said to her which got this thing started. But i still dont agree with the sentencing. Whether she gets out early or not. It doesnt take that long for someone to get back on the right track after a shoving match. A good ass whooping from someone would have done it. A lot of the posting have had some very strong points, but the only one that i dont see with a point is superdestroyer. I honestly think from your postings that you make yourself out to be a racist and it is hard for someone to understand your point of view when you are googling how many students in specific regions are pre-dominantly white so you can make a point about the safety of other students b/c of a black one. I wouldnt know to go on the internet to see how many black, whites, or hispanics are in a certain school district. You must have it on your favorites list, just in case.
March 29th, 2007 at 5:30 am
SHOVING = PRISON. You have got to be kidding me. It doesn’t take a genius to realize what is going on in Paris, TX. The judge should be the one in trial/prison for misuse of his power. I can’t help but feel great saddness for Shaquanda Cotton who was convicted for NOTHING. Blackness shouldn’t be a crime!
March 29th, 2007 at 5:34 am
[…] source […]
March 29th, 2007 at 7:40 am
I MUST SAY THERE IS NO POINT IN TRYING TO GET YOUR POINT ACROSS TO PEOPLE LIKE SD. A RACIST WILL NOT JUST CHANGE THEIR MIND BECAUSE OF ANYTHING POSTED HERE. SOMEONE SAID IF IT WAS A BLACK TEACHER SHOVED WE WOULD BE UP IN ARMS (NOT AN EXACT QUOTE), NOT TRUE, BLACK TEACHERS ARE ASSAULTED (ESPECIALLY IN THE SOUTH) BY WHITE STUDENTS AND, I HAVE NEVER SEEN IT DRAW MEDIA ATTENTION. FOR SOME REASON EVERY ONE SEEMS TO HAVE FORGOTTEN THAT THE WHITE 14 YR OLD ARSONIST WAS ALL READY ON PROBATION WHEN SHE BURNED DOWN HER FAMILY’S HOUSE WHICH IS IN DIRECT VIOLATION OF HER PROBATION. OBVIOUSLY SHE IS A REPEAT OFFENDER IF SHE WAS ALL READY ON PROBATION. I DEFINITELY WOULD NOT WANT MY CHILDREN IN SCHOOL WITH HER. AND ALSO SHAQUANDA HAD MORE SEVERE INJURIES THAN THAT OF THE HALL MONITOR. I DON’T THINK IT’S RELEVANT THAT A JURY CONVICTED HER AS OPPOSED TO A JUDGE. OBVIOUSLY THE MAJORITY OF THE TOWN’S WHITE POPULATION FEEL THE SAME WAY ABOUT BLACK PEOPLE. HAVING LIVED IN THE SOUTH I KNOW THE EXTENTS THEY WILL GO TO TO RUIN A YOUNG BLACK LIFE, LIE, STEAL AND, KILL IF NECESSARY. THEY SAID THE MOTHER IS THE REASON SHE HAD TO BE LOCKED UP YET, THEY DID NOT SAY THAT THE MOTHER SPECIFICALLY SAID “I WILL NOT COOPERATE IN ANY WAY IF MY DAUGHTER IS ON HOUSE ARREST, PROBATION ETC…) SO HOW DID THEY COME TO THAT CONCLUSION ONE HAS TO WONDER. I AM SURE IT’S BASED ON HER PRIOR COMPLAINTS OF PREJUDICE AND SUCH IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM. SHE DIDN’T KNOW “HER PLACE” LIKE A GOOD NEGRO IS SUPPOSED TO. THIS CASE SHOULD HAVE NEVER MADE IT TO A JURY, THE JUDGE SHOULD HAVE THROWN THIS OUT. I DONT BELIEVE SHE HIT THIS WOMAN FIRST BUT, JUST SAY SHE DID, WELL LET HER MOTHER WHIP HER AND SUSPEND HER FOR THREE DAYS. NO THEY CAN’T DO THAT BECAUSE HER MOTHER IS A TROUBLE STARTER BUT, THEY CAN’T SAY HOW. THIS IS JUST ANOTHER ONE FOR TEXAS, REMEMBER THE CASE WITH OFFICER COLEMAN, THE UNDER COVER NARCOTICS OFFICER IN TULIA TEXAS THAT BUSTED 46 PEOPLE I THINK 38 WERE BLACK AND THEY WERE OF COURSE FOUND GUILTY BY “A JURY OF THEIR PEERS” AND WERE GIVEN ABSURD SENTENCES FOR LITTLE AMOUNTS OF DRUGS. WELL ONE OF THE WOMEN HE GOT A WARRANT FOR GUESS WHAT, SHE WAS IN CALI AT THE TIME HE SAID SHE SOLD HIM CRACK AND SHE HAD BANK STATEMENTS AS EVIDENCE AND EYE WITNESS TESTIMONY, THANK GOD. SO THEY WERE FORCED TO TAKE A MORE THOROUGH LOOK AT THE OTHER CASES AND GUESS WHAT, ALL BUT TWO WERE ACTUALLY INNOCENT. DONT TAKE MY WORD, GO TO CRIMELIBRARY.COM AND TYPE IN TOM COLEMAN READ FOR YOURSELF. AND BEFORE I GO I HAVE TO SAY I AM NOT SHOCKED (IF IT IS TRUE) THAT BLACK TEACHERS TESTIFIED AGAINST HER. WHILE I LIVED IN THE SOUTH (MARION VA TO BE EXACT) A LOT OF THE BLACK PEOPLE FROM TOWN WENT ALONG WITH ANYTHING THEIR WHITE COUNTERPARTS SAID. THEY ARE FEARFUL OF WHAT THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT DOING SO WILL BE. THE NEWSPAPERS WONT BE INTERESTED IN THEIR TOWN FOREVER AND THEY KNOW FULL WELL THEY WILL BE FIRED FOR SOME MINOR OR, EVEN IMAGINED INFRACTION. SO THEY GO ALONG TO GET ALONG
March 29th, 2007 at 7:56 am
Well, I have to say that reading these comments has been interesting.
Just to clear something up…the “public servant” that was allegedly assaulted by Shaquanda was a SUBSITUTE TEACHER’S AIDE. Secondly, that 58 year old sub teachers aide said that they did not suffer any bodily harm or injry. HOWEVER Shaquanda did substain an injury. A large knot on the front of her head that had to be checked out after the incident occured. Hmmm…. how do you get a large knot on your head if YOU shove someone else? I have no idea. The reason Shaquanda is in jail is because she won’t apologize and admit to something she says she didn’t do. So for the lady from Paris or PISD…keep that lie to yourself. I have communicated with Shaquanda through letters and she has written to me that she didn’t do it. The Paris DA also said that one of the issues was that she would not admit to her “wrong doing”. People are trying to talk badly about her mother because she is standing behind her daughter in her maintaining her innocence. But what parent wouldn’t? What parent is going to throw their child to the wolves?! If my daughter said to me “Mama I didn’t do it.” Then I’m gonna stand behind my baby. And a bunch of he said she said is not going to make me doubt my child. I love the constant question of would you want your child in a class room with some one who assaulted a 58 year old. It kinda makes me laugh because it’s like everyone is trying to make this girl out to be a cold hearted person who ATTACKED this sub teacher’s aide with malice. But that’ not the case.
Paris is a racist little town here in Texas. Their fair grounds use to be the stage for lynching and burning and torturing people of color. Which might I add did not stop until the late 1950s. There has always been issues with race in that town. You tell me how a 19 year old white man can run over a black woman and her 3 year old grandson with his truck and only get 5 YEARS OF PROBATION but a 14 year old black girl gets accused of shoving a hall monitor (basically) and she gets a damn indeterminate sentence of up to 7 years? And you really want to say this is not racially motivated??? In any way??? Please people let’s not be so ignorant. We all know racism is alive and well. And it’s definitely THRIVING down here in the great state of Texas. You can try to cover your eyes and ears to it all you want.But it’s real. But hey…it’s easy to turn the other cheek when you aren’t the one being slapped. When you have the safety and security of your white skin that lets you know that “Hey I’m gonna burn down my family’s house. and it will be ok because I’m white so all I’ll get is probation! COOL!” (yes this did happen in Paris with the same judge sentencing the 14 year old white girl who did it to probation) Equal rights my hind end. As long as people continue to turn a blind eye because it doesn’t concern them, then I will never have children. I fear for my nieces and nephews futures because they are black children and I know the pains they will suffer in the hate filled unjust society we live in.
March 29th, 2007 at 8:43 am
I happened upon this site through another site and I must say that I am utterly disgusted, but not the least bit surprised. The bottom line is that the sentence did not fit the crime. There were several steps that could have been taken prior to incarceration. If she were such a “violent offender” she would have assaulted the woman by striking her, possibly repeatedly, not shoving past her. If she were so violent there would be a lengthy history detailing several violent acts. If she were so violent, why was a psych eval never ordered? Was she in special education courses (which would indicate some form of mental or behavioral disorder)? This is a child, imperfect though she may be. I would have no problem with her attending school with my children. And yes, this is a racial issue. It is a cultural issue. It is a societal issue. It is a testament to the dysfunctional state of the legal system. And just for the sake of balance, DEADLY SCHOOL VIOLENCE, KILLING SPREES, TEACHER STUDENT RELATIONSHIPS, AND OTHER HEINOUS HARMFUL OCCURENCES HAPPEN IN PREDOMINANTLY WHITE, OFTEN SUBURBAN, “GOOD” SCHOOL DISTRICTS. So, while we seek out the “good” schools and neighborhoods, let us not forget that CRIME KNOWS NO SOCIAL, RACIAL, OR ECONOMIC BOUNDARIES.
March 29th, 2007 at 9:12 am
I would consider myself a disciplinarian. I completely agree that schools are out of control and children get too much consideration. Teachers no longer get the respect, or courtesy, that they derserve.
But I’ve been raised Black in this country and I’ve experienced racism and discrimination personally. If you aren’t Black, you can’t relate…you just can’t understand. We have always had to endure more scrutiny. Our wrongs are always more wrong than “their” wrong.
Based on the post by Eddie Griffin, things have become crystal clear in my mind. As far as the “Paris powers that be”, Mother Cotton was a trouble-maker. What’s the best way to handle a trouble-maker? Harrassment. And since they couldn’t make things difficult for the mother, Shaquanda had to suffer the consequences. Now, I can’t justfy what Shaquanda did; she was wrong. But the punishment does not fit the crime.
March 29th, 2007 at 11:20 am
Some of these responses are deeply disturbing, and even further disturbing is the ‘justification’ that some of you are giving for those very responses. I believe that this child should have been punished in some manner and been forced to apologize to the woman that she knocked over/ shoved/pushed down. There was clear disprespect shown to an adult. Some of you are claiming that 7 YEARS is justifiable. People who are charged with DUI’s/ Assault & Battery/ etc., are sentenced to less, if any time at all. That is sick and twisted in and of itself and reeks of the “black rage” stereotype. Plain and simple, the child was wrong. She was sentenced inappropriately and its evident that bias, in whatever form, was present. I had no idea that Texas was this bad, and from some of the comments posted earlier that appear to be Texans themselves- I am glad I live on the opposite coast.
March 29th, 2007 at 11:44 am
I am saddened and disheartened by many of the comments I have read here. Obviously, not much has changed in this country in the past several decades. Our attitudes remain closed minded and bigoted, especially here in Texas where I have chosen to make my home. It is a sad commentary on the state of affairs in this country we all love and hold up as a shining example to the rest of the world. How can we have the audacity to go overseas and try to uphold democracy and fairness and justice in other countries when we can’t even live up to those lofty ideals here at home? I have tried to teach my daughter that we live in a time and place where all things are possible for anyone who desires them and works to achieve their goals but oviously I was wrong. America is not color-blind. Hopefully, I will live to see the time when that statement will be true.
March 29th, 2007 at 11:50 am
I can’t understand how a can anybody say that Al Sharpton does what he does for people just for PUB. That’s insane!! This country has major race related problems and for some one like Al Sharpton to bring these things to light is a good thing. The media isn’t breaking there necks to bring these story out. So someone has to, I praise Brother AL! Free Ms. Cotton and put Perry in jail along with the rest of his Klan in Government!!!
March 29th, 2007 at 12:06 pm
Superdestroyer, you’re the only person here who knows what he/she’s talking about. A lot of people these days think they have a good picture of whats going on when they’re only being fed bull by organizations with ulterior motives.
kudos to you.
March 29th, 2007 at 12:10 pm
What i love and generally shows the hatered in most whites is the fact that they tend to use “Extreme” terminology when desrcibing black people, and find some of the nicest words in “websters” when desribing whites! Strange enough i noticed somebody referring to the DUKE case, being black i never once bought the story(of the rape anyway, never can be sure which whites are racist, they tend to be chamillion like on certain subjects) But i cant ever remember a news story in which the victim was so “villified” and maybe she deserved it??? And now we have GROWN MEN AND WOMEN calling a 14yr old a “violent criminal” for allegedly shoving a 58yr old women in school, while a 14yr old white girl who burned down the home of her parents as “A trobled teen” We need to be very careful of our langauge, people may actually mistake us for RACIST!!!
March 29th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
I honestly have no idea why some people are justifying the sentencing. tennille, you are right on the money when you stated that if she was a violent offender and really trying to attack the lady, it would have been repeatedly. Most violent attackers dont attack once, especially if they are trying to hurt the individual. If an 8 y/o with an attitude shoved a teacher, would it have the same outcome? I honestly dont think so. I also think that those persons that are defending the courts wouldnt have the same thoughts if it were there child that was on trial. I would back my child up 100% if they told me that they didnt do it.
March 29th, 2007 at 1:47 pm
To SD,
It does not surprise me that you make these comments and have taken your current stance on the matter. I hope that we can enter into a more elaborate dialog on this subject. But in the interim, I want to answer the direct question that you posed. If my children were in school with a “troubled child” (it remains to be seen if Ms. Cotton was indeed “troubled”) there are processes and procedures that have been established by the TX State school systems. If Ms. Cotton was truely a “troubled” child, she could have easily been suspended or expelled from her school - negating your agreement that a 7yr jail sentence is a justification to “clean-up” our schools. Regardless of what prior disciplinary actions Ms. Cotton my have been involved with, rational thinking and true application of the law should have delivered a more adequate punishment. I am sure if we were to check the priviledged lives of the Judge’s and Prosecutor’s children, we will find some childhood mistake that they made that has been EXSPONGED. Point blank and period, the USDOJ (U.S. Dept. of Justice) needs to investigate the Judge and DA assigned to this case to see how and why a sentence this heavy was applied to this girl. This case screams has strong hints of Marcus Dixon injustice - convicted of statatory rape for having consensual sex with a 15yr old schoolmate when he was 18.
Here is another example for you….How is it that a person convicted of DUI and vehicular homicide (for killing 3 people in the accident) be sentenced to 1yr in prison (of which they gave her time served, which equalled 3 months and 2yrs probation) when Ms. Cotton was sentenced to 7 for a shove? Oh, thats right, it is because in the case I am referring to, the CRIMINAL was a young, fairly attractive white teenage girl. The scales of Justice have been unbalanced since the inception of this country, and the application of the law in this case substantiates this comment. SD, I too live in Austin - TX and my children WILL be going to Regan.
March 29th, 2007 at 2:33 pm
Superdestroyer, would you want your child in the classroom with a child that happens to be white and burned down her families home and received probation? 19-year-old white man, convicted last july of criminally negligent homicide for killing a 54-year-old black woman and her 3-year-old grandson with his truck, was sentenced in Paris to probation. I guess that you would prefer your children be in the company of these 2 individuals.
March 29th, 2007 at 4:49 pm
Free Shaquanda Cotton!!!!!
March 29th, 2007 at 4:52 pm
I have teenage daughters and there was 2 choices HER MOM was offered to take her home with probation BUT HER MOM REFUSED that is why she is where she is. the court tried to JUST GIVE HER PROBATION BUT NO HER MOM REFUSED IT IS NOT ANYBODIES FAULT BUT HER MOMS . As a mom i think we need to march in her moms yard and yell what moms are suppose to do for their children not pick to send her to prison where she is out of her way
March 29th, 2007 at 8:35 pm
FACT: This juvenile girl assaulted a teacher, who by Texas law is a public servant, in September 2005. It was witnessed first-hand by two other teachers who testified.
FACT: Before trial, the Lamar County and District Attorney’s Office (prosecutors) offered a plea bargain reduction from felony to misdemeanor assault and 2 years juvenile probation, which the mother and defense attorney turned down.
FACT: The juvenile had a trial and was found adjudicated delinquent by a jury (we don’t refer to juveniles as “guilty” or “not guilty” in Texas - it’s “adjudicated” or “not adjudicated”) in March of 2006.
FACT: After the jury adjudicated the juvenile as delinquent, the defense asked Lamar County Judge Chuck Superville to set punishment. The defense could have had a jury set punishment, but asked for the judge to decide.
FACT: This juvenile did NOT receive 7 years in prison. She was given an indeterminate sentence to the Texas Youth Commission, which means her conduct and cooperation with their behavior rehabilitation programs determines when she gets out. Minimum time to complete those programs is 9 months. She entered TYC in March 2006 and could have been out in December 2006 if she was being cooperative. But note that she never had to go to TYC in the first place: she could have gotten probation.
FACT: Texas statute under the Family Code (governing juveniles) left 2 options for the judge: 1) release the juvenile on probation back to a family member who verbally assures the judge that cooperative efforts to meet probation conditions will be met, and 2) sentence to the Texas Youth Commission. Often, parents are part of the problem and other family members step forward to offer to take the juvenile in their care and see to it probation conditions are met. NO other family members came forward and this juvenile’s mother (Creola Cotton) told the judge she would not comply with conditions of probation. The judge’s hands were tied by the law and he had no other choice but TYC.
FACT: School officials testified during the punishment phase that this juvenile had been a continuous discipline problem and that her mother continually defended her actions, telling her she did nothing wrong, and fought against disciplinary actions against her daughter for legitimate infractions.
FACT: The defense filed an appeal, fired the defense attorney trial attorney they hired (Wesley Newell of Dallas) and alleged ineffective assistance of counsel (saying the defense attorney didn’t do his job well enough). The Court of Appeals in Texarkana ruled that the juvenile would not be released on bond pending their final appeal decision. That decision has not yet been handed down.
FACT: This juvenile would not be in TYC if her mother had agreed to cooperate with conditions of probation after the jury found her essentially guilty.
You will find these facts with additional comments at http://www.lamarcountyattorney.com/cotton.html
March 29th, 2007 at 11:43 pm
ok i have read everyones comments and i only have a few things to sayso i hope you can hear me!!! one i grew up in richmond california in the san francisco bay area and yes i seen students push teachers in the hall ways as the go and they get expulled and sent to continuation school for troubled youth not jail ive seen youths out here shoot people and they get sent to youth authority until they are 21 now whats the difference people violence right!!!!!first shes 14 she couldnt of hurt a 58 yearold is she did it was probaly the 58 year olds pride that was hurt and that is why the police were called she wanted to break the girl down til she couldnt break no more. there is no way this young lady should of been sentenced to prison because her mom refused probation if that was the case they should of let her do probation in a foster home since they wanted her to have probation in the first case i am a mother of 5 children and i wouldnt stand for this in no way prison just institutionalizes people to where when they do get out they want to go back cause they dont know the outside world i know this for a fact its happened to my father so i say this in conclusion to s.d how could you even think that this punishment was suitible for a 14 yearold no matter what her race????even with her being unruly as are most kids her age
March 30th, 2007 at 5:08 am
I, like Ms. Malika have also read everyone’s post and I find SD thoughts disturbing. I can’t believe people in this day and age still hold racist viewpoints. SD has already labeled the young lady a felon; a violent felon and by labeling the young lady SD tries to place fear into the hearts of parents and teachers. Why is she a violent felon, because she was convicted of shoving a teacher’s aide while trying to get into the school? When I think of a violent felon, I think of an armed robber, a rapist, a murder, or a kidnapper but not a school kid shoving someone. Again by labeling the young lady SD is simply trying to invoke fear and anguish towards her. SD then goes on to pose the question of: Would you want your kids in the same classroom as her? Notice, the young lady’s charge was trying to enter the building before school started; which means she was at school, not skipping school getting into something mischievous. Not only was she at school, but she was there before school started. So that means that she’s not a tardy student running in after the bell sounds interrupting other students. We have all been school kids before and we have all had that one annoying mean teacher, not suggesting this of the teacher’s aide but we all know that adults as well as children can be spiteful and malice and just maybe the teacher’s aide was. I am guilty of deliberately disobeying an order given by my grade school teacher. I sure we have all been told we can’t go to the bathroom while in class and we get up and go anyway. Luckily the teacher never stood in my way or I probably would have after trying to explain the need, shoved her aside as well. Either way, this is a shoving incident. The aide was not battered or beaten she was pushed out of the way. The judge is total out of line and should be held accountable for allowing such a sentence. The problem is that no one votes to replace those judges in small towns. Judges are elected, if you are in a small town and you don’t agree with the court systems of the town, get out to vote and change the direction. What happens is that no one votes or only a few voters turn out and these officials become complacent and believe they own the justice system. No one complains, writes, or challenges and they go about their merry ruling the city. If you don’t like it take steps to change it.
March 30th, 2007 at 5:45 am
I MUST SAY THAT ANONYMOUS’ REPLY FOR ME IS IRRELEVANT. AS MOST BLACK PEOPLE KNOW, FACTS ARE NOT FACTS JUST BECAUSE SOMEONE WHITE SAYS IT’S SO. OF COURSE OTHER WHITES (NOT ALL THOUGH) BELIEVE IT, THEY LOOK AT ALL OF US WITH DARKER SKIN AS POSSIBLE CRIMINALS. LETS LOOK AT RONALD COTTON FROM NORTH CAROLINA. HE WAS ACCUSED OF RAPE EVEN THOUGH HE HAD A CREDIBLE ALIBI. ONE VICTIM POINTED HIM OUT AND A SECOND VICTIM SAID IT WASN’T HIM. HE WAS CONVICTED AND IMPRISONED. HE GETS A SECOND TRIAL AND NOW THAT SECOND VICTIM NOW KNOWS IT WAS DEFINITELY HIM. OF COURSE THE PROSECUTION TOLD LIES MIXED WITH TRUTH AS WELL AS THE INVESTIGATORS DID AND HE WAS FOUND GUILTY AGAIN AND REMAINED IN PRISON FOR SEVERAL YEARS. AND HERE COMES DNA YEARS LATER AND GUESS WHAT? RONALD COTTON IS INNOCENT AFTER ALL. BUT IT WAS THE “FACTS” PRESENTED DURING THE TRIAL AND, AS ONE OF THE JURORS SAID LATER, “HIS ATTITUDE LIKE HE DIDNT CARE MADE HIM SEEM GUILTY”. OF COURSE HE “SEEMED” GUILTY, HE WAS BLACK. I JUST HAVE TO SAY ONCE AGAIN, FACTS ARE NOT FACTS JUST BECAUSE SOMEONE WHITE OR, WITH SOME TYPE OF AUTHORITY SAYS SO. I KNOW THAT SHAQUANDA’S MOTHER DID NOT REFUSE PROBATION. THAT IS NOT EVEN RELEVANT, THE FACT IS THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO CRIMINAL COURT, PERIOD. AND ALSO ONCE AGAIN, EYE WITNESS TESTIMONY MEANS NOTHING TO ME. AS I HAVE STATED EARLIER, IF THEY ARE WHITE, THEY ARE LIKELY THRILLED TO GO ALONG WITH THE LIE. IF THEY ARE BLACK, AS I SAID BEFORE, THEY HAVE TO GO ALONG TO GET ALONG. WERE NOT THE VICTIMS OF THE AFORE MENTIONED RAPE NOT EYE WITNESS’ TO THE CRIME AND POINTED AT INNOCENT RONALD COTTON AND SAID WITHOUT A SHADOW OF DOUBT, HE IS THE ONE THAT DID THIS HORRIBLE THING. I THINK THE PROBLEM IS THAT AS BLACK PEOPLE WE WASTE TIME TRYING TO MAKE SOME WHITE’S (NOT ALL, JUST THE RACIST ONES) UNDERSTAND OUR PLIGHT. IT IS REDUNDANT TO DO SO. THEY DON’T CARE EVEN THOUGH THEY SEE AN INJUSTICE HAS BEEN DONE. ANOTHER DARKY BEHIND BARS, GREAT DAY. THEY WILL FIND WAYS TO TRY TO CONVINCE US IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO, THOUGH THEY THEMSELVES KNOW IT’S WRONG. BUT DOESN’T IT SUIT THEM MUCH BETTER WHEN THEY CAN CONVINCE ONE OF US AND ADD TO THEIR ARGUMENT, I HAVE A BLACK “FRIEND” THAT FEELS THE SAME WAY AS I DO.
March 30th, 2007 at 5:52 am
AND DEIDRA, I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU, THOSE ARE PEOPLE I WOULD CLASSIFY AS “DANGEROUS FELONS” AND MAY I ADD TO YOUR LIST OF ARMED ROBBER, MURDERER, KIDNAPPER AND RAPIST, THAT AN ARSONIST THAT COMMITS ARSON WHILE ON PROBATION ALSO RINGS OF FELON TO ME.
March 30th, 2007 at 6:52 am
FREE SHAQUANDA COTTON!
March 30th, 2007 at 9:04 am
[…] There are is more at The Moderate Voice, Capitol Annex, and at Professor Kim’s News Notes. […]
March 30th, 2007 at 1:47 pm
Although I feel this punishment was very harsh, this was the topic on the local radio station here in Houston, and a Paris, Tx woman(yes she was black) called to give the low down on the case, she even gave her name. She stated that the whole story is not being told, she stated, ” this young lady was always in trouble and this was not her first offense of assault, she stated even now in the juvenile detention she remains in trouble. She states the young lady mother never cared until now that the child was in trouble since elementary school.”
March 30th, 2007 at 3:24 pm
O.K., ONCE AGAIN, I THINK PEOPLE ARE NOT LOOKING AT THE OVER ALL PICTURE (CJB). SHAQUANDA PERHAPS COULD HAVE BEEN IN TROUBLE BEFORE, LET’S ASSUME AND SAY SEVERAL TIMES. WELL THE PROBLEM IS SHE WAS NEVER IN TROUBLE WITH THE LAW. FIRST TIME OFFENSE WITH A CRIMINAL CHARGE. SEVERAL CHILDREN MISBEHAVE, NOT EXCUSING IT, IT’S JUST TRUE HOWEVER, ONCE AGAIN THE SAME JUDGE SENTENCED A WHITE FEMALE WITH PRIOR CRIMINAL CHARGES TO PROBATION FOR BURNING DOWN HER FAMILY’S HOUSE, WHILE ON PROBATION. ONE MISBEHAVED IN SCHOOL, THE OTHER WAS A REPEAT OFFENDER, TAKING PART IN CRIMINAL ACTS. THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME SHE STOOD BEFORE A JUDGE. AND ONCE AGAIN, BURNING DOWN HER HOUSE WAS IN DIRECT VIOLATION OF HER PROBATION.
March 30th, 2007 at 5:58 pm
I am very upset about this whole situation, very upset. It is very unfortunate baby Cotton is a victim of this fucked up society, but let her know that there are many that are feeling her pain, and I am young, and in school but i want to do as much as I can to get through to her. I attend Ferris State University, and I am trying to get my N.A.A.C.P chapter to write letters to the Government to let her go. I am very upset about the national chapter of N.A.A.C.P. There is no reason why N.A.A.C.P should be debating if they are going to get involved. They should have been out supporting and helping the family get on the case as soon as they heard it. This type of behavior is not going to help our people but hurt. I understand why the president resigned, because they are not responded and are not focused on they duties which is simply Fighting for African American Rights!!! I want Baby Cotton to know that we love her, and I shead tears everytime I think of her but I will smile for her as well. I hope she see the sun soon. and keep the hope alive baby cotton. we are continuing to fight and pray for you and we won’t stop!!!!!!!!
March 30th, 2007 at 6:17 pm
Micatt, I agree. I am a Clinical Therapist. I work in a residential facility for juvenile offenders with dual mental health/substance abuse diagnoses. Trust you me, THIS CHILD IS NOT A CRIMINAL COMPARED TO MANY! The fact remains that the punishment was far more extensive than suitable for the offense. She had no prior record. If her mother denied caring for her the child should have been adjudicated dependent and placed in foster care not a prison. That’s the course of action when there is no parent or relative to care for the child, not prison. It was racially biased. PLEASE STOP DENYING IT AND CALL A SPADE A SPADE. DAMN!
March 31st, 2007 at 2:48 am
I am a senior judge and following comments here I realsied many commentators based their opinions on Racial discrimination which should not be considered as a prime factor determining sentences of individuals.I have been working closely with all races of judeges and lawyers and cases are all treated thesame.Juvenile deliquency is considered and also mentally deranged law breakers are also taken into consideration.But law remains and every criminal is sentenced according to the circumstances that he or she faces.In this present situation there is not injustice no matter whether she has not been a criminal before there is no pardon for an offense that needs criminal prosecution.
March 31st, 2007 at 7:21 am
FRITZANE KIKI, I AGREE. IT SHOULDN’T BE BASED ON RACIAL DISRIMINATION. THE PROBLEM IS NOT OUR COMMENTS BASED ON RACIAL DISCRIMINATION BUT, THE SENTENCE THAT WAS BASED ON RACIAL DISCRIMINATION. YOU KNOW, I HAVE FORGOTTEN TO FOLLOW MY OWN ADVISE I POSTED EARLIER TO NOT WASTE TIME TRYING TO CHANGE THE LITTLE MINDS OF RACIST PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT DON’T THINK THEY ARE RACIST. ANY ONE WITH COMMON SENSE THAT IS NOT PREJUDICE WOULD NOT DISPUTE THIS IS AN INJUSTICE. ESPECIALLY TAKING INTO ACCOUNT LEAN SENTENCES HANDED DOWN BY THIS JUDGE TO MORE SERIOUS AND REPEAT OFFENDERS. YOU TO AN EXTENT JUDGE EACH CASE INDIVIDUALLY HOWEVER, THERE ARE GUIDELINES TO FOLLOW SUCH AS REPEAT OFFENDERS VIOLATING PROBATION DO NOT CONTINUE TO GET PROBATION. GUESS IT’S JUDGES LIKE YOU WE CAN THANK FOR CHILDREN LIKE BARRIOS GETTING KILLED. SO THANK YOU JUDGE!! HAS ANY ONE WROTE TO SHAQUANDA? I ASSUME EVERYONE HAS THE ADDRESS BUT IF NOT GO TO
FREESHAQUANDACOTTON.BLOGSPOT.COM/
AND ALL THE RACISTS I HOPE WILL REFRAIN FROM WRITING THEIR HATE MAIL TO THIS CHILD. I HOPE EVERY ONE IS ADDING HER TO THEIR PRAYERS AND, PRAYER LISTS AT CHURCH. IT IS IMPORTANT TO SHOW SUPPORT HOWEVER WE CAN. GOD KNOWS IT COULD EASILY BE ONE OF US SITTING IN THE STEW POT.
March 31st, 2007 at 11:26 pm
Forgetting the race issue, forgetting a maybe less then wise mother, forgetting a ‘troubled’ past for the 15 year old…. um.. why do rapist and drunk drivers and child abusers walk away with less time then this child may possible serve? It is about the punishment fitting the crime. Thats all.
She does not deserve even the possibility of being in jail until she is 21.
Don’t get me wrong. She does need to be delt with for her actions, but what kind of example are we setting? Our kids are not dumb, neither are they the scared and timid youths that alot of us were when we were their age.
We like to say that we had more respect for adults but what we really had was a healthy dose of fear. Keep in mind that the only reason that worked was because in the back of our minds we knew that they had our best interest at heart.
That is not the case any more. Kids rebel many times because they believe that the only person they can trust is themselves. Someone please tell me how this type of injustice works to change that attitude?
This child will never believe in the justice system again.
April 1st, 2007 at 7:43 am
I learned two things in this discussion. Number one is that the conditions set by Cotton’s mother by initiating the ‘federal case’ around the claim of racist punishments by the school district may justify her insistence on maintaining the innocence of Shaquanda. This makes sense to me. There is ample precedent for federal nullification of local jurisdictions. If I were Cotton’s ‘federal case’ counsel it wouldn’t take much for me to paint the entire region of Texas as a racist backwater arrayed against a poor little innocent black girl. Obviously lots of people here have swallowed that bait. Substitute ‘prison’ for ‘juvey’ and that’s all it takes.
The second thing I learned is that far too many American citizens are just completely ignorant of the law. The very idea of comparing an arson case with an assault case based upon the race of the defendant is a line of logic that is shamefully retarded. All of you should be ashamed.
We should all keep in mind that the reporting on this story has been crazy, and Cotton’s mother and the state of Texas both have an interest in keeping Shaquanda’s school record sealed. Therefore the facts in question will always be in question. All that remains are some results of ‘federal case’ investigations, and the appeal of Cotton’s actual trial.
Oh yea one more thing I learned was that the appellate board did not grant her freedom when they might have. There hasn’t been any news or detail on that matter either.
April 1st, 2007 at 10:24 am
WELL EVIL DID NOT PREVAIL IN THIS CASE, SHE IS FREE THANK GOD!!
AND TO COBB, THE SHAME IS THAT YOU USE RETARDED WHICH IS VERY INNAPROPRIATE AND OFFENSIVE SO FREELY. NOTHING YOU SAY MATTERS. ONE DOWN AND SEVERAL MORE TO GO!!!
April 2nd, 2007 at 7:09 am
This is so sad, a former Juvenile Probation Office in the State of Texas for 5 years, this is a sad outcome that the Juvenile System would sentence a child for this office, just like many other writers, why wasn’t this child situation handled by the school official, after school, detention, ISP (In-school suspension) or just being suspended. I am mostly surprised that the Juvenile Probation Department even took this case to court. This would have never made it to our court system. I am outraged that a white child with more serious crime got a slap on the hand. I agree with other writers that Affirmative Action should be continue because of stupidity and irrogance like this. That judge should be removed from the bench and all his cases should be reviewed for other racial discriminative sentences.
April 2nd, 2007 at 11:03 am
I cannot believe what is being wrote on his blog in regards to support of the child who committed the crimes. Superdestroyer, for most part is correct about all the facts that is being presented about the child. I do know some counselors and teachers that have dealt with her - it has nothing to do with race. She just did not respect authority, black or white. She spoke back to African American teachers. The only reason why the person got probation when she burned down the house, was because she accepted the conditions of probation. Guess what? She’s now in JAIL!!!! She violated the conditions.
Looks like Superville did the right thing. Nobody got out of anything, and nobody was neglected. She did the crime. She has to accept responsibility - her mother wouldn’t let her. Obviously, she is unfit mother to have this daughter around if she is not going to learn to accept responsibility for shoving a teacher who is trying to do her job.
Leave race out of this, and you shall see this is just a case of a mother and child just REFUSING to accept responsibility and is abusing NAACP’s power to get her out of jail. Period.
April 2nd, 2007 at 1:27 pm
Most white people will always judge black people unfairly. Black people have to try to stay out of the hands of the law, since justice is obviously not on their side. Let us all wait and see what the outcome of the case will be before we put our two cents in. In the interim, Praise be to Allah for the child being released!
Oh and SD, how ya like them apples, LOL!
April 4th, 2007 at 4:49 am
THAT GOES TO SHOW THAT RACISM IS STILL ALIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 4th, 2007 at 4:55 am
ALSO GOES TO SHOW THAT RACISM WILL FOREVER BE HERE. BUT, THIS IS SUPPOSE TO BE A BETTER COUNTRY TO LIVE IN? AS THE DAYS GO ON WE ARE SLOWLY BECOMING A COMMUNIST SOCIETY.
April 4th, 2007 at 12:41 pm
I am from Paris. I have a friend who served on her jury. She did not “push” the 57 yr old VOLUNTEER, she hit her repeatedly. I also have many friends in Paris who are black. One of my best friends, tells me that his children say Ms. Cotton is a big time bully, and trouble maker. She has an extensive record at PHS to prove it.
1st-she wasnt sentenced to 7 yrs, so stop saying that! She was sentenced to the facility (for a time to be determined by the facility administrators, who recommended she stay until her 21st birthday-wonder why?)
2nd-They offered her probation, her mother requested a trial by jury.
3rd-They jury found her guilty of assault (with intent!) for attacking a 57 yr old volunteer.
4th-My info tells me (reputable source) that her mother was furious, when she found out her welfare check would be for less, while the girl was detained.
5th-The girl was late for school-You have to get a pass to enter class-Same rules for everybody! You dont attack an old lady unless you are mentally unstable!
Trust me - this girl is trouble with a T! I wonder how much press we will get when she does it again or WORSE? Probably none-but I will blog my butt off!
April 4th, 2007 at 2:27 pm
Well, Jeff, I think that if your friend really served on the jury, that they might have committed an offense by telling you any specifics of the case that were not released into the press. But that just may be a law here in kentucky. Your “fact#5″ is kind of conflicting with everyone else who agrees with you b/c you say that she was late for school and everyone else said that she was trying to get into class early. For you to be on the same side as some of the people on here, your facts need to be the same as theirs. yeah, she may have been in lots of fights in school and cussing and yelling, but why didnt the school officials just kick her out if she was so terrible with a T! How dare you imply that her mother only cares about how much her welfare check is. Her mother probably requested a trial by jury b/c she would think that there would be some people on there with common sense. People that could see that this was a ridiculous way to get a situation like this resolved. Yes, she was sentenced 7 yrs!!!! But like everyone else, she gets eligible for probation, but she will still have the remaining amount of the sentence over her head if she does anything wrong. i wonder how long she will be out before someone provokes something to happen or lies about something happening. I know teachers lie for one another. I dont care what anybody else says, they do lie. I am getting my opinion from the facts on other peoples comments. Those that oppose the sentencing and those that agree with the sentencing b/c you will be able to find some part of the truth in between.
April 4th, 2007 at 2:33 pm
bold tag fix! yay
April 4th, 2007 at 2:33 pm
umnow is it good?
April 5th, 2007 at 3:19 am
Hi Everyone,
I have no comment for some of the obvious same racist people who support the judge in the case giving their racist opinions on this site.
The bottom line is: We live in a racist country and Texas being the top.
The people on this site are trying to defend the judge’s decision and label this girl as “bad” because deep down one of their ancestors, if not them are just as racist as this judge.
I thank GOD everyday I don’t have that much hate or disdain for people because of color or feel I am better.
Some of you people need Jesus and if you don’t believe in GOD then I understand why you feel they way you do, and GOD BLESS YOU, just the same.
Racist breed hate and that is a miserable life and eternity in hell.
You wake up and look at yourself in the mirror and think you’re better.
I am African American and I don’t hate Racism, I pity them.
April 5th, 2007 at 6:34 am
Ok Vedat, Im not sure what to say to you. She wasnt sentenced to 7 yrs. Do some research, if you REALLY care. Man,… lets get that straight. “Yeah she may have been in lots of fights at school”? The girl is 14 for goodness sakes. How many 14 yr. old girls get in lots of fights in school? How dare I reference the check? I think its relevant. As far you implying that a 12 person jury is without common sense is shaky ground at best. And yes, I am sure, someone will provoke her again, and again, and again, just like they do all of us everyday. The difference is that most of us dont resort to violence when provoked. It helps us stay out of jail that way. Oh yea, and Vedat it is not against any laws for a juror to discuss a trial after the case, only during. Unfortunetely, a lack of education, travel, and being exposed to different cultures and views, can contribute to ignorance (racism).
And to Steve, “THAT MUCH hate or disdain for people because of color or race”? Thank goodness for that. Your right Steve our world does have racism in it. I have seen it alot, and I am really tired of it. As far as you saying your African American…when did you relocate here? What part of Africa did you come from? Cant you just be an American now? And if you didnt personally come here from Africa ( MAYBE your ancestors did), then stop saying that your African American. I think Tiger Woods said it best when he said ” I am not an African American, or Asain American, I am just an American, (I like that guy). America loves you Steve…love her back…she needs you right now, and she deserves it. Listen, racism is why I would NEVER join a white group, EVER! But why do most black people think that the New Black Panter Party is ok, or do they? Im not 100% about saying “most”, but it sure seems like it. As a white guy in todays world, it seems like alot of people are racist towards us. I remember staying at one of my friends house overnight as a kid, and his grandfather didnt want me to be there because I was a whitey”. His grandfather turned out to be a good guy, and we were friends, but it took a while. Im sure he was a victim of racism like I could never imagine. But…not from me.. and we shouldnt let it effect the way we treat new people. I did like the way you blessed everyone though regardless…now we need more of that. Steve, my 5 yr old said it best “Daddy im not really white and the black kids arent really black, Im more brown than white (as he held up a piece of notebook paper), and they are more brown than black”.
P.S. its up to God who goes to hell, and lets hope for your sake,he doesnt do it for racist comments, Im pretty sure he doesnt…so relax.
April 5th, 2007 at 7:05 am
Hi, Jeff,
Jeff you make very good points, however my wanting to use African American is my choice; i.e. Polish American, Mexican American and so forth it all follows American.
GOD does decide to who goes to hell but Hate does not exist in hell, it is of the devil, who resides in hell.
Racism and prejudice are two different things. Lack of exposure to a culture or group of people does produce prejudice. Racism is a personal option, it is hatred.
Being African American I have had prejudice views in the past because of
things that have happened to me personally as a child.
You may have been called ‘w—-y’ by your friend’s grandfather because o all the names he was called growing up. My mother and granny have awful stories of how they were treated. He was not being racist towards you-he didn’t hate you he- prejudged you. Prejudice-different.
You are right I do need to relax, we all need to relax but it is hard when it is in your face everyday.
PS: Most African Americans do not agree with the ‘New Black Panther, (as you say) or any organization, who are ambulance chasers or media seekers.
April 5th, 2007 at 7:11 am
One other thing for Jeff, I really appreciate your comments. I meant to say evil doesn’t exist in Heaven.
April 5th, 2007 at 8:16 am
Hey Steve,
I sure hope your right about the panthers, I need to believe that. As far as Polish American, etc… I just dont agree with it. And it doesnt follow American, American follows wherever. When you say it, it sounds like you are more proud of wherever than America, and she deserves better. No other country in the history of the world has done more to help bring people of different cultures together, or to help the less fortunate. I know there are still problems, but the good outways the bad. (kinda like my marriage of 16 yrs. hahaha).
I have owned my own business for 15 yrs. (started it with 1,200.00–absolutely all I had to my name at 25 yrs of age). My wife has never really worked at my co. ( this is relevant later). The other day I went on a sales call with a prospective client that I have been trying to get a meeting with for at least 2 yrs. She finally agreed to see me. I was really prepared, and excited. It would be a great account for us, and I know I could save her money, and improve the quality of service she was currently recieving. We went into the conference room, I set up my overhead and prepared to give my presentation. She said “before we get started Jeff, are you a minority owned business?, because that is who I like to do business with.” I said “no Im not, I dont participate in anything racist, and thank you for your time”, and I left. She said you dont have to leave, and I said yes I do. This particular co. was not a government agency of any type, and was not required to give contracts to minority owned businesses. (In case you dont know most gov agencies, school districts, etc… require you to have minority status in order to even bid on a job). The ONLY group of citizens that dont qualify for minority status are white males. White females are considered minorities, which is why most business owners put 51% of their business in their wives name. I will not!
My wife doesnt own it or even work there, but if I did I could make ALOT more money. Oh yea, I can qualify if I have a sex change, or even cross dress, but I would make one ugly woman. It is a total racist and sexist policy, that is totally accepted by most, not all, “minorities”. This kind of stuff has to change if we are ever to unite as Americans.
Imagine if “light brown and darker brown” Americans truly united and forgave each other. We would be one tough nut to crack as a country, and the world would be a much better place because of it. .
Best of Luck to you my friend.
Jeff
April 5th, 2007 at 2:14 pm
jefft,
if her mother really cared about the welfare check, dont you think she would have cooperated with the courts to begin with? That would only make sense, but then again some people dont have common sense. You will be suprised how many 14y/o girls get in fight in school. It also depends on which school you attend. I dont know anything about the high school she was at. I cannot do any real research b/c that would mean that i would find some way of getting all the court documents and records from the school and maybe someone videotaped it. The only way I can do research is by reading some of the comments as I stated before or reading some of the newpaper articles on it which tend to put their own spin on it. So this is the best I can do and I think that I am not far off the track. No one will know the facts except those that were there and if you have ever played “telephone” things turn out way different than they were. The research that I did says she was sentenced to seven years. Maybe you should post some of the places where you did your research so some of us can understand where you get your facts from b/c i dont think that you were there during hte fight, or the trials, or the conversation between her mother and the case worker. Yes, some us can handle being provoked better than others. But if she has a history of being in trouble in regards to fights and stuff, then she will need some help in order to handle things. I honestly dont think that she will go thru some type of anger management. What was the purpose for your last comment in the paprgraph that you had referencing to me b/c i didnt say anything in my comment about racism?
April 5th, 2007 at 2:15 pm
Isn’t everyone glad she is out? I know I am. God is good all the time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 5th, 2007 at 2:31 pm
Yes God is good all the time. First off what was she doing at the school before it opened in the first place? Now on to my repy. I am a middle class black woman from Dallas. I think its a sad think for a child to go to jail but who will control our kids when we don’t. Bottom line school is not a daycare center you do not put your hands on another human being. And as far as this so call rasim in paris, I’m sick of black people not owning up to the progress that has been made. Fighting is not the way to solve issues. Not have a ghetto tude doesn’t mean your not keeping it real. Read all the facts before protesting the wrong thing. It would be a bad thing if this little girl didn’t get the mental help she needs for her anger issues. And no I would not want my little girl in the sae school with this little girl.
April 8th, 2007 at 11:02 am
O.K, I THINK WE ALL KNOW JANICE IS REALLY CAUCASION. NICE FRONT! GOD HELP US IF AFFIRMATIVE ACTION IS TOTALLY WIPED OUT. I THINK BLACK PEOPLE THAT OPPOSE IT FORGET, THIS IS PROBABLY HOW THEY GOT WHERE THEY ARE. IT WOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN NECESSARY IF EVERYONE WAS DOING THE RIGHT THING FROM THE BEGINING. WHITE PEOPLE WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND, THEY CAN FEEL EMPATHY BUT NOT SYMPATHY. THEY ALWAYS HAVE STORIES OF HOW PREJUDICE WAS DIRECTED AT THEM IN SOME WAY (WHICH IS WRONG) BUT NOT THE SAME AS BEING A VICTIM OF RACISM. MAYBE THEY REALLY DO NOT MEAN TO BE SO IGNORANT. I DOUBT IT THOUGH. THE TWO (PREJUDICE AND RACISM) ARE VERY DIFFERENT. EVERY BLACK MAN IN MY FAMILY HAS A STORY OF HARRASSMENT FROM THE POLICE AND, SOME OF THE FEMALES. I HAVE SEVERAL FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS WHO ARE INVOLVED IN LAW SUITS. IN SOME OF THE CASES THE OFFICERS DIDNT GET THEIR LIES TOGETHER AND ALL CAME IN WITH DIFFERENT STORIES!! I LOVE IT BECAUSE IF NOT, OF COURSE THEY WOULDNT BELIEVE SOME “BLACK HOODLUMS” OVER THESE UPSTANDING WHITE OFFICERS. THE BEST ONE INVOLVES MY BROTHER IN LAW AND HIS BROTHER AND THE WHOLE INCIDENT IS ON THE COPS CAR CAM. NO RESISTANCE, PULLED THEM OVER, COULDNT EVEN REMEMBER THE EXCUSE IN COURT. PULLED THEM OUT, BROKE BROTHER IN LAWS THUMB, PULLED IT BACK, BEAT THEM, FRACTURED RIBS AND ALL WHILE THEY ARE HANDCUFFED AND ON THEIR KNEES ON THE GROUND. FUNNY THING THE OFFICERS MUST NOT HAVE KNOWN, OR THOUGHT THE TAPE WOULD DISSAPPEAR, (THEY USUALLY RUB EACH OTHERS BACK) SO THEY TOLD THIS WONDERFUL STORY OF RESISTING ARREST AND, OFFICERS BEING ATTACKED. HOW FUNNY WAS IT WHEN THEY WERE SHOWED THE TAPE. MY BRO IN LAW ONLY GOT 20,000. SCREW THE MONEY, PUBLIC HUMILIATION IS WHAT THE SHOULD RECIEVE. WE WILL ALWAYS NEED SOME TYPE OF EQUALIZER IN THIS AMERICA BECAUSE WE WILL ALWAYS BE TREATED AS LESS THAN. MOST WHITE PEOPLE HEAR THESE STORIES AND THINK “THEY HAD TO HAVE DONE SOMETHING TO WARRANT THAT BEHAVIOR” WHICH IS MORE TIMES NOT THE CASE THAN IT IS. ANY ONE CAN BE PREJUDICE, IT’S A FEELING. MOST BUT, NOT ALL BLACK PEOPLE ARE NOT IN A POSITION TO BE RACIST AGAINST ANY ONE. RACISM IS AN ACTION, DENYING HOUSING, JOBS, LOANS, JUST OPPORTUNITY IN GENERAL THAT AFFECTS OUR LIVELIHOOD. I CAN CALL SOMEONE WHITE RACIAL SLURS ALL DAY LONG IT MIGHT HURT THEIR FEELINGS BUT THATS IT. THATS ALL I HAVE, FOR NOW!!
April 9th, 2007 at 3:23 pm
micat72: Even though your first sentence may not be true, it was hilarious when i first read it b/c i was thinking the same thing! lol. I also wanted to tell you that I appreciate every posting that you have made, b/c it is very insightful and yo