Writing at BlackAmericaWeb, Gregory Kane argues that black parents of teens should steer clear of Florida, after lawmakers allowed the arrest and expulsion of Kiera Wilmot over a science experiment. The gross miscarriage of justice represents business as usual when it comes to laws and black youth.
Wilmot, according to the http://www.businessinsider.com story, is an honor roll student, makes straight A's and has no prior disciplinary problems. Too bad she lives in Florida.
In a more reasonable state, school officials would have looked at what Wilmot did, looked at her grades and record of deportment and opted for a course of action other than expulsion, handcuffs, arrest and felony charges as an adult.
No one was hurt in Wilmot's science experiment, and no damage was caused. But Wilmot – who will have to finish school in an alternative "expulsion program" – is black and lives in Florida. That makes all the difference.
Brenton Butler was a black kid – only 15, one year younger than Wilmot – when he was walking his dog on a Sunday morning in Jacksonville, Fla.
Unbeknownst to Butler, a black man had robbed a white tourist couple soon before he walked his dog. The robber killed a white woman.
Cops were told the suspect was a black male. Two cops were talking when one noticed Butler.
"Hey," the one cop said. "There's a black male right there."
Read Gregory Kane's entire blog entry at BlackAmericaWeb.
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