Two unrelated thoughts on injustice for Palm Sunday...

One
Earlier this week a couple co-workers of mine were discussing the inequality that still exists within our justice system. One co-worker compared the stories of Stanley Tookie Williams and Debra Lafave; which he felt clearly showed the gender, racial and economic bias of this country. He laughed, with cynicism, at the fact that Mr. Williams, a poor black male, was killed by the state of California eve after completely turning his life around while on death row. Whereas, Ms. Lafave, a white middle-class female, was released on three years probation by the state of Florida after she molested her 14-year-old student. While I think these cases are like comparing apples and oranges (one supposedly killed five people and one supposedly molested a student), I believe that my co-worker has a point.

Mr. Williams became a huge advocate for non-violence and wrote books for children on gang alternatives. He apologized for his involvement in starting the Crips. He was even nominated for several Nobel peace prizes. Mr. Williams was the poster-boy for rehabilitation and yet CA still lethally injected him back in December 2005.

Ms. Lafave's attorney stated that she was "too pretty" to go to prison. The women sexually abused a 14-year-old child and she ended up with 3 years probation and counseling. We all know that if she had been a male teacher, she would be in prison at the moment. I watched her press conference after her sentencing; it made me sick. She was smiling and explaining that she felt the counseling would help. When asked what she planned to do next, she stated she wanted to start a career in journalism.

These cases highlight the injustice that still exists within out "justice" system.

Two
When my parents were in college they attended a mega-church in Wentachee, WA called Bethesda. In 1980, shortly before I was born, the church imploded. Many churches implode; however, this one had a huge impact on Wenatchee (population 35,000) as the church was probably 5-15% of the town.

My parents talk very little about that time; however, my mom once shared a bit. We were walking through the old Bethesda church building, which is now a large furniture store. As we reached each part of the store, she would explain what had existed there before. Bedroom furniture was once children's ministries, the couch room was the sanctuary and the former stage now has large living room sets.

As we left the building my mom was very somber. She explained that the church had fallen apart when it was revealed that their on-staff accountant had embezzled over a million dollars. They had a special church session where they asked him to confess in front of the congregation; he wouldn't. My mom didn't go into details but she said that a feeling of dread spread across the entire congregation and many women starting to weep. My mom said that the church never brought the man to justice.

That night was the beginning of the fall of Bethesda. The whole thing brought Wenatchee to it's knees and twenty-five years later the town still remembers. People, including my parents, were damaged by the very institution that was supposed to love and protect them.

(It's not unusual for people to be hurt by the church, but I bring this one up because it affected an entire town and still does to this day)

I saw this posted on another person's blog. Every person in America needs to see this clip!

http://www.wingsofjustice.com/06/03/woj06012.html