August 2019-Justice Brief

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Back at it again! September’s right around the corner and we are excited to bring to you the August 2019 Justice Brief for Justice She Wrote! As always, there are so many events that take place every month. Our goal is to best capture moments throughout that the month that will educate, engage, and empower our audience. This month’s brief will be the first to be featured on our blog with a new format for the remainder of the year.

Second Chances

First on the docket, Cyntoia Brown-Long was released from prison on August 7th. If you have been following us, then you know that we were ecstatic when Tennessee governor, Bill Haslam, granted Cyntoia full commutation with parole. If you are not familiar with Mrs. Brown-Long’s case, we recommend that you read this article. Although, Cyntoia is no longer behind bars she will be on parole for 10 years. Nevertheless, she is experiencing the freedom she does have, and even intends on releasing a book entitled, “Free Cyntoia” this fall.

We wish the best to Mrs. Brown-Long on this new chapter in her life and we will continuously advocate for her justice, healing, and restoration. The release of Cyntoia Brown-Long underscores the need for a holistic approach to the juvenile justice system and the perils of human trafficking. It is imperative that we urge policymakers, lawyers, judges, and everyday citizens on the systemic injustices that pollute the lives of many innocent citizens. We all know that the criminal justice system works in your favor if you are rich and guilty. However, if you are poor, innocent, black, brown, or any combination of the those listed, than you can fall victim to the insidious trap of injustice.

Did We Start The Fire?

An environmental catastrophe burns as we watch the “lungs of the world” engulfed in flames. This month, awareness was spread about the Amazon rainforest being on fire, which has led to devastation of wildlife and displacement of indigenous groups. There is no doubt that there will be a momentous impact on the health and well-being of all those who come in contact with or live near the Amazon rainforest. Officials have already stated concerns about children’s respiratory health taking a negative impact. In addition to impairing respiratory health, there is a major concern for the world’s climate as the Amazon rainforest contains a considerable amount of the world’s freshwater. Vox lies out clearly the worst case scenario with this crisis in this article.

World leaders came together at the recent G7 summit to discuss the pressing issue and vowed to donate 20 million dollars towards aid, but the President of Brazil plans to decline the aid. It is truly devastating to see our environment so quickly change for the worst. However, we must acknowledge that the fires taking place in the Amazon and across the world are not merely spontaneous acts from nature. As humans, we have not done our part in taking care of the environment. So, in response to the title of this article: yes, we did start the fire. So many activists have urged citizens across the world to do better, and for governments to be more strict in enforcing and raising awareness about the climate crisis. What will it take for us to understand that our actions are negatively impacting the future for coming generations?

For Freedom: The Release of “The 1619 Project”

I’m going to go ahead and make this disclaimer: If you have a copy of the 1619 Project, I am so jealous of you right now. No, seriously, Nikole Hannah -Jones’ “The 1619 Project has been the publication must-have of the year. It sold out so quickly, and continues to do so each time more copies become available. I have been a fan of Mrs. Hannah-Jones and her work for almost four years. I was introduced to her by my college professor, who was teaching a course entitled “The Context of Ferguson.” Nevertheless, I have followed her journey and love seeing her digital discourse as Ida Bae Wells on Twitter. It does not surprise me that this publication has been so successful. As the storm of racial injustice continues, The 1619 Project has been a ray of sunshine for all those who have been able to read or engage with it in any capacity. I listened to the 1619 Podcast while traveling through the Mississippi Delta, and could not help but think about my ancestors and the legacy they paved for me. I’ve seen educators incorporate the project into their classroom and students ask their teachers to add it to the syllabus. It is with publications like these that we are able to work towards a more truthful and complete narrative of history.

Tunes & Things

So, y'all know I could not go without adding music to this month’s “Justice Brief”. I love music and plan on incorporating it a lot more into this platform. My favorite albums and songs this month were: PJ Morton’s Paul and Rapsody’s Eve. These albums were beautifully unique in their own ways, and exemplified in some way the goals of JusticeSheWrote.

Eve is an ode to monumental black women who have paved the way for those of us who are here today. The first track on Eve is aptly entitled Nina after Nina Simone and beautifully begins with Simone singing “Strange Fruit”. This track is definitely one of my favorites off of the album because the lyrics are profound. It is almost as though you are watching art, poetry, and music combined. The song makes me proud to be a black woman. You really have to know your music when you listen to these songs to catch the witty lyrics. The album continues with the following tracks: Cleo, Aaliyah, Oprah, Whoopi, Serena, Tyra, Maya, Ibithaj, Myrlie, Reyna’ Interlude (which is a word that every Black woman must listen to), Michelle, Iman, Hatshepsut, Sojourner, and Afeni which features PJ Morton.

This brings me to the second album I would like to feature on this month’s brief, Paul. There are two songs from this album that I know exemplify JusticeSheWrote’s goal to edicate, engage, and empower. Buy Back the Block is an ode to Nipsey Hussle and the legacy that he left for Slauson and the Crenshaw community, but also the blueprint he left for others looking to uplift and advance their community. This song has such a funky and powerful vibe that makes listeners want to immediately get to work on empowering their communities. “I don’t want it, if I can’t own it!” The final song on the album is entitled MAGA? Featuring the incomparable Angela Rye. This song questions if America is really great, or is it great just for a few. We all know that history and present times show that America cannot be great until we strive towards reconciliation and acknowledgement.

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The following Justice Brief is in memoriam for the legendary Toni Morrison who left with us words and guidance of freedom and respect for all beings. She embodied what it meant to empower, educate, and engage people from all walks of life. She spoke her truth, and in doing so allowed others to do the same. Her truth led many of us to freedom. JusticeSheWrote exists because of writers like Toni Morrison. Her legacy continues.

Healing & Light,

JusticeSheWrote

*Disclaimer: If there is an event that occurred this month that was not captured in this brief, please comment below with your insights so that the broader community can be educated and engage with the information. As always, be respectful & courteous of the opinions of others.*