Blogging from A to Z: Today's letter....B for Bereavement

I wasn't sure what I would post today for the second day of this blogging challenge. I was able to leave work early today, they actually let us leave for Good Friday (this is surprising). Anyway, I was able to get home in time to watch today's episode of Oprah. I don't usually, but today Janet Jackson was a guest on the show and I was curious about what she had to say regarding the new movie she's in, "Why Did I Get Married Too?", so I tuned in. As always, she was cute as a button and looked well. However, once the interview began, it was uncomfortable to watch. Why? Much of the interview focused on the death of her brother, Michael Jackson. If you've read my blog, then you know I'm a fan and when the media broke the news of his death, it hurt me, it was a visceral pain. And I didn't even know the man! So, as I was watching this episode of Oprah and saw the clips and pictures of MJ, I couldn't help but think of how difficult this had to be for Janet, his sister, one who grew up with, and truly loved, Michael. I can't watch the clips, or look at pictures, of MJ without feeling sadness or loss, so it doesn't surprise me at all that his sister doesn't want to see "This Is It" or look at clips and pictures of her brother. It shouldn't surprise anyone else either; I found myself giving Oprah the "side eye" because she seemed surprised by this reaction from Janet. Janet seems like such a private person, so being asked all these questions about MJ and where she was, how she felt, blah, blah, blah.

All that to say this: what is the deal with not allowing celebrities the privacy to deal with their bereavement, their grief, out of the view of the public? I think of the way I felt when my grandfather passed away several years ago and I think of the way I would feel if someone was in my face constantly asking me personal questions, gauging my reaction, my pain, and passing it around for the consumption of people I don't even know. A person's bereavement is personal and should be respected as such. You couldn't pay me enough money to be a celebrity and have to deal with this type of thing in the public eye. Everything isn't for everyone to see or know. Would you be able to handle such scrutiny?

Blogging from A to Z: Today's letter...A for Avoidance

For my first blog in the Blogging from A to Z challenge, I decided to do a post on avoidance. We avoid things daily, whether it's for our physical safety or for our emotional safety. The former makes sense, if you believe in survival; the latter is the more interesting one to me. I can be outgoing in certain situations, but there is one thing that I avoid like a plague and that's relationships. I think I may have a disorder or something because I cannot get myself to open up and express myself, for fear of rejection. It is a terrible habit, one that I would like to rid myself of. I know that I have missed many opportunities; I may have let a soul mate slip out of my reach and that really scares me. I think that I immerse myself in school because of my avoidance issues. With school, I have control over the outcome, for the most apart. If I want an 'A' then I put in the work to get it. Yes, I stay in school because the career I want requires certain degrees and certification, but I wonder if I get a slight bit of relief that I don't have time to put myself out there, you know, in the dating scene. I hear it's real rough out there and I'm often glad that I don't have the horror stories that others have. But, I also know I'm missing out; how do I expect to get married and start a family with a man I love, and who loves me back, if I don't get out there and meet him? I have to make a change and because avoidance is getting me nowhere.

I have to thank fellow blogger, arlee of the blog tossing it out, for starting this Blogging from A to Z challenge. I think it's going to be fun! If you want information on the challenge, click the logo, featuring Uncle Sam, to your right.

Janelle Monae's got me wanting to do the "Tightrope"

I already loved the song, but the video makes it that much more catchy. I'm looking forward to her new album, which comes out May 18th. That's right around my birthday...hint, hint, hint...(smile). Enjoy the video!

Armed robery + $11 stolen + no one harmed = Life in prison?

Oh, I forgot to add "innocence" to that equation! Two women, Jamie and Gladys Scott, were arrested and convicted for armed robbery. $11 was stolen and no one was injured or killed, but the Scott sisters were convicted and each sister received to two consecutive life sentences! They've maintained their innocence since 1993 and witnesses to the crime say that they were threatened, forced to lie on the sisters. Insanely unjust! Now, add the fact that Jamie Scott fighting severe infections and receiving substandard medical care, and the situation becomes even more dire! Innocent, in prison for life, and fighting for her health? Why isn't this receiving more attention? That was a rhetorical question...

Please read the press release below (from freethescottsisters.blogspot.com)...




PRESS RELEASE

THE COMMITTEE TO FREE THE SCOTT SISTERS

CONTACT:

Mrs. Evelyn Rasco

P.O. Box 7100

Pensacola, Florida 32534

E-mail: rqueenbee2222@yahoo.com

Website: www.freethescottsisters.blogspot.com
Petition: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/Free-Jamie-Gladys/index.html
Legal Transcripts: http://www.scribd.com/Scott%20Sisters

MISSISSIPPI INJUSTICE: A DOUBLE-LIFE SENTENCE FOR $11.00!

Scott County, MS ---- In a trial fraught with legal malpractice and witness coercion, Mississippi Judge Marcus Gordon oversaw one of the most blatantly corrupt trials in history, culminating in the staggering over-sentencing of sisters Gladys and Jamie Scott to double-life each in an armed robbery where no one was murdered or harmed and the amount alleged to have been taken was a whopping $11.00.

On December 24, 1993, the Scott County Sheriff’s Department arrested the Scott sisters for armed robbery even though three young males, ranging from ages 14 to 18, confessed to committing the crime. Despite this, the corrupt Mississippi sheriff used coercion, threats, and harassment to compel them to turn state’s evidence against the Scott sisters due to a long-standing vendetta against a family member. The 14-year-old male would later testify that he did not read the statement and was pressured to sign a written statement prepared by the sheriff without an attorney being present.

As if that weren't bad enough, these young women received incompetent legal representation at the lower court trial. Their attorneys, Firnist J. Alexander, Jr. and Gail Shaw-Pierson failed to interview and subpoena witnesses, only calling one witness when there were several. Incredibly, the jury never even heard any testimony from the alleged victims. The sisters were advised to not testify on their own behalf by their attorneys, Alexander and Shaw-Pierson, denying them the opportunity to speak for themselves.

In October of 1994, Jamie and Gladys Scott were sentenced to extraordinary double life terms each in prison, even though neither sister had prior convictions and there was no violence involved in these charges.

The four State’s witnesses provided conflicting testimony and one alleged accuser was not called to testify – he was not questioned or subpoenaed by defense attorneys Firnist J. Alexander, Jr. or Gail Shaw-Pierson. Witnesses admitted however, that reports prepared by the Sheriff, of their descriptions of the event contained no such claim. In other words, the sisters were not present. Jamie and Gladys Scott were not involved in the armed robbery and they did not conspire to plan such. Witnesses all testified that they were coerced and threatened by Deputy Sheriff Marvin Williams. Testimony also revealed that Marvin Williams prepared statements of the events from the night of December 24, 1994 BEFORE obtaining signatures and BEFORE the witnesses were brought into his office. In other words, the statements were not written by witnesses. Three affidavits exist – they all state that the Scott Sisters were not involved in this robbery. One affidavit is written by a trustee of the local jail, his account of the facts reveal that a wallet was located a few days after this alleged robbery and that wallet contained the photo ID of one of the alleged victims of the trumped up robbery and three twenty dollar bills. The trustee also reveals that there was NOT a robbery, he was also threatened to be sent to Parchman Penitentiary if he told the truth.

According to the Request for Commutation of Sentence and/or Pardon prepared by attorney Chokwe Lumumba, the Scott Sisters challenged their convictions on direct appeal; arguing that there was insufficient evidence to convict them, and the guilty verdict was against the overwhelming weight of evidence, which should have exonerated them. The court of appeals found no error and affirmed the convictions on December 17, 1996. As a result, they filed a Petition for Writ of Certiorari to the Supreme Court, which was denied on May 15, 1997. They consequently filed an Application for Leave to File Motion to Vacate Conviction pursuant to the Mississippi Post Conviction Collateral Relief Act. The Supreme Court also denied that application.

This family is shell-shocked, yet determined to fight on. They have tried to have faith that at some point this unbelievable travesty would be corrected and their upside-down lives righted. Yet 14 long years later nothing has changed, the women's five children are still being raised by their now ailing mother, and their father has died of a massive heart attack because of this. The emotional strain this burden has placed upon their family is immeasurable.

Jamie Scott writes, "What began as an implication and outright miscarriage of justice, has catapulted to destroy an entire family. Gladys was a 19 year old pregnant mother, and myself, Jamie, a 22 year old mother during the time of our arrest, conviction and sentencing for a crime we did not commit." She continued, "We are convinced that once this chain of events is exposed and unraveled, the events that occurred, the lives that have been destroyed, the pain and suffering the citizens of Scott County have endured; everyone will be utterly amazed, astonished and compelled to assist us in our plight for freedom. We pray that the people would insist upon an investigation into their misconduct and miscarriage of justice."

Gladys and Jamie’s older brother has recently returned from Iraq and has served in the US Army for 22 years, while his sisters remain victims of wrongful convictions in the very country that he proudly represents. The defendants and their family are wholly depending on support from the press, organizations, and all those dedicated to justice in making this debacle as public as possible.

Please sign petition at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/Free-Jamie-Gladys/index.html

Also do what you can to help the cause! Please contact the following people to voice your concerns:

BE DIRECT BUT PLEASE BE COURTEOUS -- NO YELLING OR CURSING!
IT WILL ONLY TAKE A FEW MINUTES, PLEASE PARTICIPATE!

Governor Haley Barbour
P.O. Box 139
Jackson, Mississippi 39205
1-877-405-0733 or 601-359-3150
Fax: 601-359-3741
(If you reach VM leave msgs, faxes, and please send letters)

Dorothy Kuykendall
Personal Assistant to Gov. Barbour
(601) 359-3150
DKuykendall@governor.state.ms.us
P. O Box 3150
Jackson, MS 39205

Christopher Epps, Commissioner of Prisons for the State of Mississippi
601-359-5600
CEPPS@mdoc.state.ms.us
723 North President Street
Jackson, MS 39202

Emmitt Sparkman, Deputy Commissioner
(601) 359-5610
esparkman@mdoc.state.ms.us

Margaret Bingham, Superintendent of Central Mississippi Corrections Facility
(601) 932-2880
mbingham@mdoc.state.ms.us
FAX: (601) 664-0782
P.O. Box 88550
Pearl, Mississippi 39208

Dr. Gloria Perry, Medical Department (601) 359-5155
gperry@mdoc.state.ms.us

Attorney General Eric Holder
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530-0001

PLEASE CONTACT POLITICIANS AND MEDIA

Congressman Bennie Thompson
3607 Medgar Evers Blvd.
Jackson, MS 39213
601-946-9003(ph)
601-982-5337 (fx)
Benniethompson@mail.house.gov

Congressman John Conyers
2426 Rayburn H.O.B.
Washington, DC 20515
Ph: 202-225-5126
Fax: 202-225-0072
John.Conyers@mail.house.gov

A complete list of the media that we have listed (feel free to send to any others that
you wish to!) is at http://freethescottsisters.blogspot.com/2010/01/119-emergency-update.html

Fools...what would the world be without 'em

I've had this nagging feeling in my head, as if someone or something was lightly brushing against my brain. It started up once I started reading and listening to the comments of others regarding Oscar nominee Gabourey Sidibe and her weight. I hadn't planned on blogging about this until something finally clicked and the nagging feeling went away once I realized what was bothering me. Yes, I was tired of hearing "She's obese!" and "She has to lose the weight; it just isn't healthy!" whenever someone brought up the topic of Gabby. Is it true that much of her weight is unhealthy? Yes, I wouldn't argue otherwise; she should lose some weight. So, you may be asking, what's my issue since I don't think people are mistaken? Well, I have an issue with stupidity. Where is the daily fuss and rude jokes regarding the incredibly thin and anorexic? You know what people? Hollywood has an issue with health in general! As if seeing woman's shoulder blades through her chest is the ideal?! Until overall health is promoted, people should really shut their mouths.

RIP Corey Haim

I wake up this morning feeling great and then I'm thrown for a loop when I logged onto Twitter. Someone posted "RIP Corey Haim" and I'm thinking "Get outta here!" Did some searching and found a link confirming that he actually died. This saddens me, as a "80's baby" because growing up he was in some of my favorite movies. The Lost Boys and License to Drive are still in my movie collection to this day! They're saying he died of a drug overdose; while that isn't surprising, it still feels like another part of my childhood has passed away. No matter what, I hope he is at peace.

Click here to read more about this story.

Know your role! The 'Ho' never gets an apology!

I never gave the Tiger Woods debacle much, if any, attention. It was simple to me; he cheated on his wife with a harem of women and he was about to cost him a whole lot. However, after reading this article, I cannot hold my tongue regarding the foolishness that is now occurring. After last week's public apology, someone else wants an apology. One of the mistresses, Veronica Siwik-Daniels, feels that she is deserving of a personal apology. WTH?! Has she forgotten that she, like several others, played a part in this adulterous mess? She has an attorney and everything! For what reason, I have no idea. She and her attorney responded to Tiger's public apology; Siwik-Daniels' attorney, Gloria Allred, said "He [Tiger] led her to believe she was the only woman in his life other than his wife..." Say what?!Are you serious Ms. Allred?! Your client, Veronica Siwik-Daniles, was A MISTRESS! She is in no position to demand any kind of an apology! Are times rough for Allred? So rough she has to take on every frivolous case she can in order to make ends meet? I seriously doubt it; she looks like a media hog, right along with her client.

Siwik-Daniels says she "had to deal with a lot and too much from him and because of him...It never had to come to this. He knows that I was very straight and honest with him, but for a long time he lied to me." Um...no little mistress, you dealt with a lot because you chose to do so. And you were dealing with a man who was lying to his wife, so you were dealing with a liar. And you what? Expected him to be honest with you? Someone smack her forehead and tell her she should have drank a V8 because she is a idiot.

The fact that this is being fed into speaks volumes regarding the moral issues this country has! The only, and I repeat ONLY, person who deserve an apology are Tiger's family. This means that each and every woman who played a part in the adultery should apologize to his wife and his children! They deserve none of the media attention they are getting and they definitely do not deserve an apology from Tiger! I could be wrong, but I really do not believe I am.



Image via (CNN/KTLA)

Ashamed...yep, I sure am...

Sheesh...

I cannot believe it has been so long since I last posted on my blog. So neglectful...I'm truly saddened by this. I missed sharing my views on the things going on in the world and my life in general. This graduate school stuff is time consuming! I just got through midterms and I'm praying for the best; can't get anything lower than a 'B'. That said, no excuses because I find time to Twitter (you already know this if you follow me there, lol). The thing is, Twitter is so quick and easy to do; I can post a random thought and go on about my business. Blogging takes some time and you have to put serious thought to the topics one decides to post. In any event, I'm getting organized and I am coming out of this hiatus because I really want to take my blogging seriously. So, starting today, I will post more often!

Thanks for bearing with me, folks!

It's dangerous out there...ABW's are on the rise...

ABW's? Your question may be "What is an ABW?" ABW = Angry Black Women. Recently, there have been debates on the temperament of black women. To let the media tell it, we are some of the angriest women on the plant. And fools believe the lie! People are walking around thinking that all black women are loud and angry and extremely sensitive about everything. Tiger Woods cheats on his wife. Well, black women are in a tizzy because none of the women in his stable were black. What?! Get out of here with that! Ninety-percent of black women could not care less about Tiger or his hussies. Reggie Bush is on the cover of Essence's "Black Love" issue. And what? The man is fine (to me, at least). Yeah, it sucks that he enjoys the company of a Kardashian, but heck, I'm not in the running for his affections, so do I care? Nope. I can look at the cover, enjoy the eye candy, and keep it moving.

That said, let me take a moment to bring up a thought that came to mind a little while ago (what prompted me to post anything about this topic). Let's say I was angry about any of this. Why would that be so wrong? Why is my anger such a bad thing? Many women voice their anger about everything from A to Z, but if a black woman does it then it's some kind of strike against her. You know, three white women got angry and glued a man's penis to his stomach, Tiger's wife came at him with a golf club and there are countless other stories of non-black women snapping in anger, but I've heard no media coverage or real discussion of the rise of angry white women. So why is anger in a black woman demonized as if it's a sin? Every being on earth has this emotion, so what's the big deal about it?

Could someone please shine some light on this for me? Am I missing something?