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In my county, two thirds of all the criminal defendants are black, which means that roughly two thirds of all victims are black. Should law enforcement not prosecute black criminals and doom all black victims to the absence of justice? Why aren't the police and the prosecutor seen as the champions of the black victim? There is a disconnect in the mind of many black people. My great-grandfather was murdered in Kentucky back in the 1940s. There was no investigation. There was no prosecution of the people involved. There was only a funeral, a widow and fatherless children. This would never happen today. Criminal acts—violent or otherwise—will not be tolerated by any person regardless of race. The system is not perfect, but have you seen the alternatives out there? We have the most perfect imperfect system on earth.

Of course, it's harder to be black in this country. Of course, black people are treated unfairly. Of course, the inner cities have a decaying infrastructure. But there is absolutely no reason to break a reasonable, appropriate law. None. The alternative is chaos.

Nu’Man lives in Louisville.

© 2008

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Member Comments

  • Posted By: JudyE @ 05/12/2008 10:54:18 PM

    Ms. Nu'Man's essay is a breath of fresh air. People have been so afraid of being called racist that they don't say the obvious: break the law and you should suffer the consequences. Ms. Nu'Man's essay is like the boy saying that the emperor wears no clothes. Bravo to her for writing it and to you for publishing it.

  • Posted By: just here @ 05/06/2008 10:04:31 AM

    Those who worked for Hitler just upheld the laws as well. Bravo for them. You admit to imprisoning addicts rather than promoting rehab. You admit to imprisoning the fathers of families for long periods of time while acknowledging that without those fathers at home, you create a revolving door of problems. Instead of whining about your job, why don't you write an article aimed at the legislatures on how to change the laws.

  • Posted By: aanthony @ 04/29/2008 11:54:09 PM

    I applaude Felicia. Her essay was refreshing and encouraging to see the conviction of her beliefs so well stated!

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