Judged By an Empty Jury

  In early March I was sitting in the Bronx Criminal Court waiting for my case to be called. While waiting forever and a day for my case to be called I noticed the most dreadful travesty. Most of the cases before (if not all) were either charged, sentenced, or giving a hearing without a jury being present. Although the case involving myself and the defendant was thrown away I would still leave the courthouse "flabbergasted."

  Looking back on this day I can't take but to think of a particular picture of Kalief  Browder. Some of you have seen this picture. Browder is standing on a New York City street or ally. The emotions on his face are shown rampantly. Being a young man child-like qualities do appear, making you feel even more sadden by his case. For imprint this picture is in black and white, making him remembered for the rest of our lives. May he rest in paradise (1993-2015).  

  Once the case involving myself and the opposite party was sealed and finished I took the D train back home. Well on the train one of my aunts said one of the most profound things I've ever heard. My aunt told me that way too many young men of African-American and Hispanic descent have their fingerprints in the system of the prison industrial complex to the point of no return. This makes communities of color sit in setbacks making it harder for things to ever get better for us.

  Come to think of it my aunt was 100% correct. If one ever thinks of it at this point in time nobody is to blame but ourselves. the media won't help us. Institutions won't help us. Lord knows the police damn sure won't help us either. The only way to change this issue is if we tackle it head on ourselves.  
  This is not meant to downgrade anyone who has a label stamped on their record but a manual for improvement and change. Whether one agrees or not the truth must be faced.