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
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R. Kelly May Be Flying to Jail Soon
R. Kelly has long avoided prosecution and conviction for his allegedly long known sex crimes against minors and young women. On Oscar weekend, in a made for TV movie moment, his free time may soon be coming to an end. In a surprise move, according to the Chicago Sun Times, today the Cook County state’s attorney charged R. Kelly with 10 counts of aggravated sex abuse. A Cook County Grand Jury indicted Kelly. The charges stem from 4 victims who were under age and involve incidents that occurred between 1998 and 2010. Aggravated criminal sex abuse is a felony which carries a range of 3-7 years if convicted. R. Kelly has avoided conviction in a past trial but the tide may be changing. His time may soon be up. He is the sex pied piper of young underage girls of lewd sex acts and alleged imprisonment, according to many reports and a recent documentary, Surviving R. Kelly. Despite past allegations, women of all ages still flock to his concerts. And his song, I Believe I could Fly is … [Read more...] about R. Kelly May Be Flying to Jail Soon
R. Kelly is No Bill Cosby: He’s Worse
The recent docuseries, Surviving R. Kelly, has many folks wondering if R. Kelly will be joining Bill Cosby in prison one day. Multiple state attorneys are looking into investigating possible charges against Kelly. Although a prior 2008 case involving 14 child pornography charges against Kelly was unsuccessful, this time may be different. It’s still too soon to tell if Kelly’s time is up. The docuseries helped to re-ignite the fire but the flame is still low for a prosecution or conviction of R. Kelly. The issues facing any prosecutor who investigates and brings charges against Kelly will be credibility of witnesses and victims, statute of limitations, solicitation of victims by the prosecutors, length of time to bring charges (assuming the statute has not tolled) and the popularity of R. Kelly. Unlike most of Bill Cosby’s victims, R. Kelly’s victims are African American and other women of color. A sexual assault case is always difficult to obtain a conviction. A sexual assault or rape … [Read more...] about R. Kelly is No Bill Cosby: He’s Worse
Women’s History Month and the Supreme Court
As we wind down Women’s History month, the role women played in Supreme Court cases is pivotal in understanding the huge impact of women on the laws of this country. For centuries, women advanced the law in cases involving civil rights, women’s right, marriage equality, health care and a myriad of other issues. For all that remains to be done in the area of women’s rights, we have largely come from the second class status barring women from practicing professions, attending schools and marrying the person of their choosing without infringement of the government. Beginning in 1869, Myra Bradwell applied for admission to the Illinois bar in accordance with a state statute that permitted any adult of good character and with sufficient training to be admitted to the practice of law. Because she was a woman, however, the Illinois Supreme Court denied her admission, noting that the "strife" of the bar would surely destroy femininity. Chief Justice Charles B. Lawrence of the … [Read more...] about Women’s History Month and the Supreme Court
International Women’s Day and Black Sheroes
International women’s day on March 8, 2018 is particularly special in light of the recent #MeToo and #TimesUP movements. As we celebrate international women’s day to commemorate the many generations of women who have advanced women’s rights, I wanted to highlight five African American women whom I admire for their strength, courage and fortitude. When I think of a woman who displayed enormous resilience and fortitude in unfathomable times. I can’t help but honor Harriet Tubman for her heroic and humanitarian efforts in advancing freedom for slaves. Born into slavery, she escaped in 1849 and later led hundreds of other slaves to freedom through the Underground Railroad with help from abolitionists. Tubman devoted her entire life for racial equality and women’s rights. After slavery ended, she continued with efforts on suffrage for women. In honor of her life, the U.S. Treasury announced in 2016 that Tubman would replace Andrew Jackson in the center of the new $20 … [Read more...] about International Women’s Day and Black Sheroes
Missouri Governor Meets #MeToo and Ferguson Movements
In an interesting twist of the #MeToo and Ferguson movements, Missouri Governor Eric Greitens was indicted last week by a St. Louis grand jury on one felony charge of invasion of privacy stemming from a 2015 consensual extramarital affair but allegedly nonconsensual taking of nude photos for transmittal. Newly sworn in St. Louis City chief prosecutor Kimberly Gardner, the first Black to hold the position, expressed that St. Louis must have confidence in their political leaders. Kimberly Gardner was elected in 2017, in the aftermath of the Ferguson uprising of 2014 following the killing of Michael Brown. Upon being sworn in, Gardner stated that since the uprising of Ferguson, the public has a new expectation for the role of prosecutor. While the main focus of the #MeToo movement has been on sexual harassment and sexual misconduct in the workplace, Greitens’ case fits within the larger picture of how powerful men sexually exploit women. If allegations are proven true, Governor … [Read more...] about Missouri Governor Meets #MeToo and Ferguson Movements