Jena 6 Day of Action: Demand Equal Justice

I mentioned the legal travesty taking place in Jena, Louisiana in a previous post. The lives of six young men have been derailed, because some people refuse to lay down the vestiges of our country's legacy of racism and segregation. I would argue that the current events in Jena, the case of Ginarlow Wilson, and the recent rape, torture and abduction of an African-American woman in WestVirginia, speak to one point, the Supreme Court jumped the gun this past June.

Visit Color of Change.org to learn all the details about the Jena 6, and learn how you can support their cause. Let our governing officials know that equal justice is a right of citizenship not privilege.

Michael Vick's Trial in the Court of Public Opinion Continues

Michael Vick's story continues to compound tragedy upon tragedy. We have his personal tragedy, the tragedy of a fallen hero. The tragedy of our public response, that the deaths of animals and the bad choices of one celebrated athlete, has caused more public outcry, than social injustices, like the ongoing vicitimization of Katrina survivors and the young people in Jena, Louisiana, continues.

Today, Vick apologized for his role in the dogfighting and gambling scheme he helped to finance, and in which, he participated to a degree. Now, not only is he judged for his admitted crimes, he's being judged for the way he apologized. It wasn't good enough. He didn't apologize for the right things, in the right way. I believe that Vick should bear the consequences for his crimes. I also believe that the many people casting stones at him are but one choice away from finding themselves in an equally tragic state. Measuring someone else's contrition, that takes a lot of nerve.

Word for the Week

contrite

• crushed in spirit by remorse or guilt
• resulting from remorse or guilt