It's beautiful to witness the FREEDOM of a news anchor with his own show. That's "Making a Way Out of No Way!" That's taking the baton and "Running with it." It's "Making a Silk Purse out of a 'Sow's Ear." If you are vigilant and can find and follow Roland Martin, you will be not only informed but AMAZED! Even when he was "bounced" from TV1, he spins off on his own and is even better than before with a show he designs on his own and is worthy of followship. I advise you to find him and listen -- OFTEN!
Sunday, September 15, 2019
9.12.19 #RMU: Dem debate analysis; Christianity's role in slavery; Joe M...
Thursday, September 5, 2019
Wednesday, September 4, 2019
He Served the Longest Sentence of Any Innocent U.S. Inmate (360°)
This is so sad that such horrendous circumstances have happened to this man. He deserves the highest compensation that the government can provide him for taking away his life to the horrible extent that it did for an innocent man. If any just retribution could be desired for those who destroyed his life, one could only hope that it will occur -- by the power of the Supreme Being. It is at least sad glory that this innocent man was finally released, but it is a feeling that is poorly received in this lifetime -- yet it is all we have and all we are able to do, except to vow that we each must do everything in our power to reasonably work toward the eradication of such injustice again.
Saturday, August 31, 2019
After Man Serves 35 Years in Prison for $50 Robbery, US \'Should Be Ashamed of System We Allow\'
After Man Serves 35 Years in Prison for $50 Robbery, US \'Should Be Ashamed of System We Allow\' We ALL must work toward changing this system of INJUSTICE in the USA. PRISON REFORM NOW!!!!!
"Wealthy CEOs and business executives steal millions of dollars from the public and never go to jail."
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"Bless Alvin Kennard," Ava Duvernay wrote on Twitter this week. "Everyone in this country should be ashamed of the system we allow." (Photo: Derek Goulet/cc/flickr)
The failures of the nation's justice system were highlighted this week after a judge resentenced a man—who'd been serving life in prison without a chance of parole for a $50.75 bakery robbery—to time served.
Alvin Kennard had already served over 35 years for the 1983 first degree robbery when Judge David Carpenter on Wednesday cut the life sentence short. Kennard is expected to be released in the coming days after processing by the Alabama Board of Corrections.
Author and CNN commentator Keith Boykin weighed in on the case and the disparate hands of justice, writing on Twitter Thursday, "Wealthy CEOs and business executives steal millions of dollars from the public and never go to jail."
As Al.com reported,
Under Alabama's Habitual Felony Offender Act, then 22-year-old Kennard was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. When he was 18, Kennard had been charged with burglary, grand larceny, and receiving stolen property in connection with a break-in at an unoccupied service station. He pleaded guilty to three counts of second-degree burglary for that crime in 1979, and was given a suspended sentence of three years on probation.Those prior crimes, which were not Class A felonies, led to his sentence under the Habitual Felony Offender Act in 1984.
While that "three strikes" law has been changed to allow a fourth time offender the possibility of parole, as ABC News reported, it had no retroactive effect on those already imprisoned under it. Kennard's upcoming freedom is instead thanks to Carpenter noticing the case. Carla Crowder, Kennard's attorney, told the news outlet, "This was a judge that kind of went out of his way."
The case drew the attention of acclaimed filmmaker Ava Duvernay, who said on Twitter Thursday: "Bless Alvin Kennard. Everyone in this country should be ashamed of the system we allow."
Duvernay's comment came in response to a thread from Birmingham, Alabama-based journalist Beth Shelburne in which she called the previous three strikes law "merciless."
"It was extraordinary to see this wrong made right, but it only happened because the right system actors were in place," Shelburne wrote. "I hope Alabama leaders have the courage to grant the same chance to the 500+ others like Alvin who remain locked up with no hope of release."
Crowder, in her comments to ABC News, made similar points.
While welcoming Kennard's upcoming release, Crowder said that "we know that there are hundreds of similarly situated incarcerated people in the state who don't have attorneys, who don't have a voice."
"As this state grapples with the Department of Justice involvement and unconstitutional prisons," she added, "I would hope our lawmakers, our courts, and our governor would do more to address these injustices."
Kennard, for his part, said in court Wednesday, "I just want to say I'm sorry for what I did.”
"I take responsibility for what I did in the past," he said. "I want the opportunity to get it right."
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This is the world we live in. This is the world we cover.
Thursday, August 22, 2019
Monday, August 19, 2019
Sunday, August 18, 2019
You'll Never Walk Alone - Nina Simone
Listen to this rendition for the exquisite instrumentation. We all must remember that Nina Simone was originally a gifted pianist who studied at Juliard and played in night clubs to pay for her training. This offering shows her talent and musical skill and experience to the highest of heights. She was never appreciated for the fullest extent of her prodigious gifts. She sang only because she was required to do so by those who hired her, but that produced the inimitable gifts she gave the world.
The Music of Nina Simone - North Sea Jazz Festival 2009
This production is by Nina Simone's daughter, Lisa Simone, who is well qualified to sing her mother's own songs. More power to her. She is here in Durham today and Ron and I missed her, but we attended a Black Conference instead and were well satisfied. We have not learned how to be in two places at once yet --- but we're working on it . . . .
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