The Concrete Perspective

Hotep,

Residing on the bench of justice for the past 23 years, Judge Gregory Weeks gave up-and-coming prosecutors and current legal finaglers in North Carolina, a reason to abort the practices of selective justice.  On 4/20/2012 the Senior Resident Superior Court Judge in Cumberland County ruled in favor of defendant Marcus Reymond Robinson’s plea for Racial Justice.  Word is bond!

Marcus’ death sentence was vacated – making his case the first in the state’s history to gain relief on the new Racial Justice Act.  This Act provides a process by which statistical evidence can be used to establish that race was the basis for seeking or obtaining the death penalty.  A much needed change.  Na mean?

History shows that landmark decisions – such as this – make room for progress, but ruffle the feathers of detractors of change, in the process.  In 1961, President John F. Kennedy issued executive order 10925, which we know today as:  “Affirmative Action.” This executive order has aided the careers of Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, former first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, current North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue, and Tony Dungy; the first African American NFL head coach to win a Super Bowl.

Without question, Judge Gregory Weeks has benefited from executive order 10925 as well.  His decision to begin the journey to end racial injustice in North Carolina is a monumental display of poetic justice.  Na mean?

Award winning journalist, Soledad O’Brien, dropped a jewel when she said:  “Our country is full of people whose perspectives are never heard, people who have something to say.”  The world is full of “talkers,” but rarely do these “talkers” care to discuss sensitive matters – such as the death penalty.  SMH

Having something to say; my goal is to speak change into existence.  The masses need to hear the perspective that’s rarely heard in its entirety, the perspective of a one-time aspiring hip-hop artist becoming a death row defendant due to racial bias.  I’m a journalist encased within my biggest story – giving you a view from the inside – bringing change to fruition.  Ya heard?

My work is just beginning blogosphere.  Affirmative Action, Racial Justice and W2TM have and will change the course of judicial practices in the state of North Carolina.  Real talk.

In honor of Soledad O’Brien’s autobiography, “The Next Big  Story,” it’s only right that I use her words to close out this landmark expression: “I’m a pioneer and I know it.  I need to prove myself worthy of this opportunity for which I am immensely grateful.  This is a country of chances, but not of endless chances.”

Keep it 100,

MannofStat

Copyright © 2012 by Leroy Elwood Mann