Category Archives: Justice Chronicles

Writings about crime and punishment, and more punishment.

In the Line of Duty (From my book, “Sometimes Blue Knights Wear Black Hats”)

The heroes are dead and nothing else matters Under a gray sky the women are dressed in black At the grave site hearing homilies paying homage to heroics Their sobs background music to pontificating politicians Under a gray sky the … Continue reading

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Albert Einstein on Truth and Justice

“In matters of truth and justice, there is no difference between large and small problems, for issues concerning the treatment of people are all the same.”

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PROSECUTORS, POLICE-INVOLVED SHOOTINGS, THE CONSTITUTION, THE KKK, POSSES, AND THE RULE OF LAW

I’ve been thinking about when state prosecutors fail to do their jobs in police-involved killings of unarmed individuals, that is, fail to get indictments – though we all know, those of us who have studied the criminal criminal justice system, … Continue reading

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Charles Barkley Should Shut Up!

Charles Barkley the NBA “great,” in response to the Michael Brown killing in Ferguson, Missouri, stated in a CNN interview that “this notion, that cops are out there just killing black men, is ridiculous.” Remember the “I am not a … Continue reading

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From my book, “Sometimes Blue Knights Wear Black Hats” — for Eric Garner, RIP

Blue Knight Riders They don’t wear white sheets Or burn crosses in the night, But there’s an unmistakable connection Between these blue and white knights. They kill innocent Black males For horrific crimes real and imagined, And because grand juries … Continue reading

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“Blue Knight Riders,” from my book, Sometimes Blue Knights Wear Black Hats

In light of the Governor of Missouri activating the National Guard, in anticipation of the Grand Jury not indicting the police officer who killed Michael Brown, I decided to post this poem from my book, “Sometimes Blue Knights Wear Black … Continue reading

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The New York Post, Commissioner Broken Windows, Chief Banks, and “Sometimes Blue Knights Wear Black Hats”

I don’t believe anything written in The New York Post, not even the Sports Pages. Actually, I don’t read the Post.  I went to Alexander Hamilton High School (now Paul Robeson), and know that Hamilton started the Post.   I know Hamilton … Continue reading

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Two Classic Speeches on Voting

With Election Day right around the corner, now is a good time to read or re-read two pieces, Frederick Douglass’ “The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro,” given on July 5, 1852, and Malcolm X’s “The Ballot or the … Continue reading

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Malcolm X’s “The Ballot or the Bullet” (April 3, 1964)

Mr. Moderator, Brother Lomax, brothers and sisters, friends and enemies: I just can’t believe everyone in here is a friend, and I don’t want to leave anybody out. The question tonight, as I understand it, is “The Negro Revolt, and … Continue reading

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Vision Zero? A Whole Lot of Nothing

On October 27, 2014, NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio signed a law to lower speed limit in NYC to 25 mph. Granted, New Yorkers drive too fast and there are far too many injuries and fatalities caused by speeding drivers. … Continue reading

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