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July 27 2007
Justice Should be Color-Blind
Journey for Humanity and Accountability
Day 16
Cindy Sheehan
Justice should be color-blind, but we all know that it
still is not.
There are many perhaps thousands if not millions,
historically, cases disputing the blindness of justice
but when I think about this contradiction a few cases
jump to my mind.
The incident in Georgia where the young man was given
a sentence of ten years in prison for consensual
sexual contact between minors is one example. Paris
Hilton got a slap in the wrist for breaking parole,
but she's white and rich. White, rich people rarely
have to pay for their crimes.
Black people in New Orleans were shot or arrested for
"looting" after Katrina and if white people did the
same thing, they were only trying to "survive."
Mexican illegal immigration is now being blamed for
all of our economic woes in America when the blame
lies with the military industrial war economy and such
entities as Wal-Mart sending our jobs and
manufacturing to Asia. In previous times of economic
challenges, the Irish and Chinese were blamed.
Now, incredibly, I am being accused of being a racist
for demanding that Congressman John Conyers do his job
as is Ray McGovern. When I think of the Chairman of
the House Judiciary Committee, I don't think of a
black man, I think of a legislator that should do
his/her job whatever color their skin is.
Why does everything have to be divided along lines in
this country? As Rev. Yearwood (who is black and is
challenging Rep Conyers to do his job, too). We need
to look at the human and not their political party,
religion, color, or economic status.
When I have challenged George Bush, does that make me
a self-hating Caucasian?
When I challenge Nancy Pelosi for her seat in
Congress, does that make me a female chauvinist pig?
Bringing up the race issue in this case is irrelevant
and sleazy. It's like being labeled an anti-Semite
because one is against the policies of Israel toward
Palestine, or being called anti-American because we
are against the anti-humanitarian policies of the Bush
regime.
I have stood with Cynthia McKinney when she was up for
re-election because I believe she is a woman of
principle, even when it wasn't popular to do so. I
have stood and been a guest of other members of the
Black Caucus in Congress because we all stand for
peace. I believe the Democrats used the anti-war left
of which I am a leading member to regain both houses
of Congress and many, including John Conyers appeared
at events and in photos with me, and to know label
this a "white activist" vs. black man is further proof
of this exploitation of the anti-war movement.
It is not personal for me with Rep. Conyers or racist.
I think the white power elite who has always had the
say and authority to enforce or disobey laws at will
and has a monopoly about what happens politically in
this country since people with my indoor sexual
plumbing weren't allowed to vote and people with the
color of John Conyers' skin were only counted as 3/5s
of a person, need to finally be brought to justice.
There has never been an equality of justice in this
country. No one in the Bush regime has ever had to be
held to account for the death and destruction they
have caused. Their domestic politics have left every
child behind, but particularly in disadvantaged
communities where we all know there is an inherently
racist poverty draft.
Rep. John Conyers was not targeted for the color of
his skin, but for his betrayal of the American public
and the Constitution.
No matter what color they are, the Bush Crime mob
needs to go to prison and no matter what color he is,
John Conyers needs to do his job.
When does having a thirst for justice and a yearning
for peace make one racist? When the country is run by
the Orwellian Rove masters, I guess.
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