Play by Play

Hotep, 

The Racial Justice Act has been repealed by the North Carolina state legislature.  Why? Well, lawmakers of this state seem to find it repulsive that a wrongfully convicted felon, of my skin tone or darker, can attain relief through the statistical realism of the prosecutorial shenanigans taking place in the state.

The fact that racism has fueled the hate that continues to divide the best of good people, seems to escape the “We the People” mindset of some of the more highly tenured political figures in this state.  The United States constitution doesn’t begin with; We the whites, or we the blacks.  It’s “We the People!!”

In a country where Medgar Evers, Emmett Till, and Dr. Martin Luther King died at the hands of hatemongers fueled by racism, we still have an alliance of lawmakers, judges and prosecutors paving the way for a lethal injection to be the cause of death for the many minorities on the wrong side of the gavel.  SMH.  I guess it’s their way of forming a more perfect union.  Na mean?

It would appear that the common practice of sentencing a defendant to death, begins with due process of the law – which simply means a defendant’s legal rights are protected throughout the court proceedings.  Well, the common practice of malicious prosecution squashes the right of due process when peremptory challenges are used to exclude blacks from sitting on a jury, in a capital murder trial.  This practice is in total violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination of any capacity.  Word is bond!

This dismantling of RJA is an outright slap in the face to the many who have endured the fire hoses; withstood the pounding of police batons; shielded their children from the sight of a burning cross; and had their lifelines disrupted by an angry mob’s noose.  It’s just a blatant disrespect to the memory of so many who gave their lives for the benefit of racial equality.  Actually, the mere need for such a law, and there is plenty of evidence that proves the state of North Carolina needs the law, is a disgrace.  This same Republican Party, which prides itself on fiscal responsibility, has allowed their blinding hate to overshadow the fact that the state North Carolina cannot afford the death penalty.

Family members of murder victims have begun to come to the forefront – not to unleash grieving furor on those convicted of capital murder, but to attest to the reality of uncertainties with the practices of the state’s judicial system.  To applaud these individuals for their bravery would also entail exposing the criminality behind the denial of due process for a black defendant, as a means of winning a conviction for the death of a white victim.  Joy and depression can’t occupy the same space.  Feel me?

It’s no secret that I can talk sports from sun up to sun down.  Far too often I’m told that I’ve missed my calling.  A most common response when a person experiences my basketball commentary, but tell me; did I really miss my calling?  I mean, I may not be seated with legendary color commentator’s like: Dick Vitale, Clark Kellogg and Dr. Jack Ramsey, but all the same; I’m still giving you my play-by-play.  Ya heard?

Always 100,

MannofStat

Copyright © 2013 by Leroy Elwood Mann

What’s A Mann To Do?

Hotep,

Father’s Day should be a time of revelation.  A time when you’re focus is centered on where you are; where you’ve been; and where you’re striving to be, as a father in this life.  So as my mind’s lens captures my past, present and future, as a father, I’m compelled to ask:  What does a Mann say to a son who grew up without the presence of a Mann?  I mean, how often will life continue to spin this rusty wheel of Karma? SMH.

I often gaze into a parallel existence that knows no Mann.  What ifs and what might’ve been occupies the mental space when encountering this existence.  A painful way of life that only a Mann could understand.  Scientific theories, algebraic equations or age-old philosophical conundrums would be easier to ingest, than an existence without a Mann.

When I was too young to understand that I was in need of a fatherly figure, Mr. Elliott Dabney was a Godsend to a Mann.  The gift of the father-son bond remains in tact to this very day.  Love you Pops.  Happy Father’s Day! 

Day after day I received a steady dose of love from my parents and siblings in the walls of 850 N. 6^th Street.  But, I would still have to find my own way as a Mann.  You see I had no real connection to my biological father’s side after his tragic death.  So the closest Mann to me would have to come from me.  Na mean?

I was 18 years old when I left North Philly for the golden state of California.  It was barely a year after I became acquainted with the city of Compton; my son Daveante was conceived.  He’s the best thing I’ve ever done.  He was a Godsend to a Mann in need of another Mann.  I apologize for my poor choices that led to you growing up without the presence of a Mann, Son.

With that said; my son has grown to be a productive young Mann.  This loving father of Daveante Jr. (Deuce) and Daleah (Tear) has disrupted the cycle of knowing no other Mann but the one in your mirror.  Hands down he’s the best thing I’ve ever done.  Word is bond!

My grandseeds will know the Mann they refer to as Dad.  They will make memories with their father that will enrich the Mann legacy.  Now, that’s what’s good! Happy Father’s Day, Son!

Always 100,

MannofStat

Copyright © 2013 by Leroy Elwood Mann

Life on Six

Hotep,

Is it fair to not consider the feelings of others when we’re feeling good about ourselves?  Let’s be honest, how many times have you felt good about something in your life and inadvertently offended someone else?  I mean, a decent person wouldn’t intentionally throw their personal achievements in the face of someone less fortunate, right?

Inside the box, something as routine as mail call can drive the ‘uncalled name,’ into a state of disparity.  What do you do, refuse your mail? It wouldn’t matter, because this particular individual would find another reason to loathe what he/she can’t understand.  It could be anything; a consistent workout routine, regular visits, or maybe it’s just your display of moxy when adversity is weighing others down.  Na mean?

Including myself, there are 23 residents living on Pod 6.  The legislative ball of destruction is steadily rolling toward resuming executions in the state of North Carolina.  If this ball continues to gain momentum, there’s a strong possibility the Pod 6 population will be decimated by the state’s crafty methods of resurrecting the death chamber.

There are several residents on Pod 6 who have exhausted appeals.  Simply put, a clemency hearing from the governor is all they have left.  At this point, my environment is equivalent to a powder keg with a short fuse.  I watch the wick burn slowly from a distance – anticipating a devastating explosion.  SMH.

As a death row prisoner, feeling any sense of achievement or attaining the positive mindset to live a meaningful existence can be a daily struggle.  My present circumstance calls for me to be a fighter – standing tall in the metaphorical ring of life.  My survival instincts are on full alert every waking hour of the day.  So authoring this blog, as I grow as a writer, gives me a strong sense of achievement, which makes me feel good about me.  So I ask: is it common to feel good about your life – knowing that someone in a similar situation is nearing the end of his or her own?  Holla back.  Please!

When death is near, each of us (People) deal with it the best way we know how.  The best way for me to deal with death is to recognize that we’re all terminal.  Whether we’re willing to admit it or not, we all have our set time and place to leave this realm.  Feel me?

Disregarding the potential demise of another wouldn’t be conducive to my peace of mind.  If I don’t feel anything for these prisoners or 6 – despite what they may or may not have done – what does that say about me?  I have to care.  I’m made in the image of my Creator.  “Going for self” can’t be my primary option.

The end is always near.  How a person chooses to address it, is what will be admired by the people left behind.  With that said, much respect to Ms. Linda Belz.  You used your bout with ovarian cancer to achieve much more than was expected of you.  I know your fam will find peace in your transition.  Your meaningful existence is now legendary.  Ya heard?

Being Who I Am,

MannofStat

Copyright © 2013 by Leroy Elwood Mann

Where Would I Be?

Where would I be without the fruitful existence of a “Stingin B?”

Would I have been a foster child?

A resident in a group home?

Or a stillborn that never knew what it was like to be me?

Where would I be without my personal pain and strife?

Possibly walking through reality without a clue

Would I be casually living in fear of what others have the potential to do?

Maybe I’d be relying on the experiences of others to establish my own points of view

Where would I be without the fulfillment that being loved  brings?

That fulfillment that makes you feel good things

Pulls at your heart’s strings

The fulfillment that gives a Mann joy and produces the song he sings

Wow!  Would I be just another angry Mann locked in the Bing?

Where would I be without my Co-D? 

Yes! my ever-so-elusive Co-D.

Would I be at the mercy of legal finaglers?

Surrounded by habitual enablers?

A sycophant without the need to water the seeds of his own seed

And furthering his legacy when he can no longer proceed

Is that what I’d be?

Where would I be without the yearning for true justice?

Adhering to a life where pessimism prevails?

Would I be convincing myself that the death chamber is the result of my life’s worth?

Ignoring the reflection in my mirror as if my life was a curse

To the Divine Creation and all that is good on this earth

Where would I be without my Almighty Creator?

Would I even breathe air? 

Would this life even exist?

Would I still have my back to the wall while enduring the state’s fist?

Without my Creator, none of my wondering would even matter

You’re reading these words He gave me.

For it is He that made me

He chose not to give me the existence of a mere ameba

Or the stressful life of a cheetah

Instead, He gave me the bloodline of Royalty

Making me the baby of a “Stingin B.”

And no injustice will ever take that away from me

Always 100,

MannofStat

Copyright © 2013 by Leroy Elwood Mann