I first met Senator Kamala Harris in February 2011 as she gave the keynote address for NARAL Pro-Choice’s 38th anniversary luncheon in Washington, D.C. She highly impressed me. That was before she became a U.S. Senator and now candidate for Democratic nominee for president. I followed her campaign for president as well as that of the other 20 plus candidates. I watched as she opened her campaign headquarters in my hometown -Baltimore. Her presidential campaign appeared to be at times—lackluster and devoid of what I saw of her in 2011. At last night’s debate, Senator Harris shined like a rare diamond. As a black woman and former prosecutor, I could not have been prouder of Kamala Harris than if she were my own sister. The debate exchange between Senator Harris and Vice President Joe Biden was emotional and a rare teaching lesson for America. While discussing the issue of school busing and Biden’s past support against busing Black students to integrate schools, she made the point … [Read more...] about Kamala Harris Schools Joe Biden and America
Archives for 2019
2020 Presidential Candidates Must Address Criminal Justice
On Sunday, June 23, Mayor Pete Buttigieg had a wake-up call on criminal justice issues. Instead of prepping for the Democratic presidential debate to be held on June 27, Buttigieg held a South Bend, Indiana town hall over the fatal police shooting of a 54 -year old black man by a white police officer. The police officer’s body camera did not record the shooting. Many black residents expressed anger at Buttigieg over the city’s ongoing criminal justice issues involving blacks and the police. Eric Logan was just the latest black man shot and killed by a police officer. He follows a long list of many others throughout the country. This is not an isolated issue solely for Mayor Buttigieg but for all Democratic presidential candidates in 2020. Criminal justice reform, including police shootings and killings of blacks, is an issue that must be addressed by Democratic presidential contenders. As an African American woman and former prosecutor, it’s painful to listen to my friends … [Read more...] about 2020 Presidential Candidates Must Address Criminal Justice
Juneteenth and a Time for Reparations
Today is June 19. It marks the date in 1865 that slavery was abolished in Texas and the broader U.S. emancipation of African Americans. The House Judiciary Subcommittee on Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties holds a hearing today to discuss the legacy of slavery and the path to restorative justice. The issue of reparations for Blacks who are descendants of slaves is being raised through House Bill 40. HR 40 would establish a commission to study the effects of slavery, the role of the U.S. government in supporting slavery and beyond and the lasting effects of slavery on Blacks in America. Many of the Democratic party presidential candidates support the idea of reparations. Julian Castro was the first one to voice support. Others like Bernie Sanders prefers to shy away from the idea of reparations for slave descendants. It is a difficult topic and one that cannot be boiled down in one legislative hearing or article. Many Americans view reparations as a fancy word for … [Read more...] about Juneteenth and a Time for Reparations
Is Parkland Officer’s Cowardice a Criminal Act?
A police officer, armed with a gun, froze in the line of duty during the 2018 school shooting at Marjory Stoneman High School in Parkland, Florida. The massacre killed 17 students and faculty. In the face of gunfire coming from inside the school, a school deputy, Scot Peterson, remained outside the school with a gun. He never went inside the school to protect and perhaps save lives. He was the only person initially on the school with a gun. Now Peterson is charged with 3 counts of culpable negligence, one count of perjury and 7 counts of neglect of a child. If convicted of all counts, he could land in prison for 96 years. According to video, it appears that Peterson took the coward’s way out. The real question is whether he can be legally found guilty of culpable negligence—a charge routinely reserved for parents, caregivers, day care providers and others similarly situated. Police are usually charged for acts that they did. While I am usually an outspoken critic of … [Read more...] about Is Parkland Officer’s Cowardice a Criminal Act?
Gun Control Laws are no Easy Fix
On Saturday, Democratic presidential hopeful former Colorado Governor Hickenlooper will bring his 21 point gun control platform to survivors of Sandy Hook shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. While it is fitting that he should address gun violence there with survivors of one of the most horrific school shootings of children, much of his platform lacks substance or hits points already raised by others. 1. While I applaud Gov. Hickenlooper’s 22- point gun plan effort to prevent gun violence, his upfront idea of comparing a renewable gun license every 5 years akin to a driver’s license is misplaced. A legal license to drive a car is a privilege—not a Constitutional right and therefore no comparison. Comparing a right guaranteed under the Constitution whether it's voting rights or gun rights, a comparison to a privilege to drive is like comparing apples and oranges. They are not the same. 2. I also understand the focus of many gun control advocates on school shootings and mass … [Read more...] about Gun Control Laws are no Easy Fix
New Abortion Laws May Reach a Snag
The states of Mississippi, Ohio, Georgia, Kentucky, Arkansas, Utah, Iowa and the latest one Alabama have been waging an all-out war against a woman’s right to choose. From laws ruling abortion illegal at a baby’s detectable heartbeat, 18 weeks (6 less than Roe v. Wade requires), the conservative movement against abortion has been diligently working towards reaching the Supreme Court to outlaw Roe v. Wade. Roe v. Wade became the law of the U. S. in 1973. Ever since then, multiple states have attempted to reverse Roe. The most recent attempts, some of which will go into effect in 2020, appear to rely on the recent change of the Supreme Court to a 5-member conservative court. But perhaps these states need to go slower before attempting a Hail Mary pass to the Supreme Court. In sports as well as in law, Hail Mary’s never seem to go as planned. The Supreme Court is highly selective in the cases that it takes up to review. The acceptance rate is extremely low and varies from 2-3 %. You … [Read more...] about New Abortion Laws May Reach a Snag