American Violet and other things.

With much love to my state's football team, The University of Alabama Crimson Tide(Roll Tide Roll)who made the national championship, I am here today to say some things and keep it short.
Down this way, Mardi Gras is on it's way to Mobile. Mobile, Alabama, contrary to popular belief, IS the undisputed birthplace of Mardi Gras, which is held each year since the 18th century,(shut down by wars though)will be making its way down our streets and because my client is a native and lover of it, I will probably be there with her. So hopefully, I will take pictures of the events, and post to my blog so folks can get a flavor of how things are done.
Yesterday, in spite of my limited budget, I bought a movie called American Violet. I have heard of the story that occurred in Texas originally from a 60 minutes segment on it a few years back. Never forgot it. Since then, one of the two ladies implicated in the arrests has put her story to film, and American Violet is the result. Now, as an African American, I have known and seen some things. I was close to graduating from high school in Mobile, when Michael Donald was kidnapped, tortured and finally killed in 1981 here. Matter of fact, he was a close friend of a friend of mine, distantly related to my client, who I feel is a treasure trove of all things black Mobile and he graduated the year before from Murphy High School, where I graduated from. It is only through God's grace, the timeliness of the city leaders and capture of those who perpetrated the crime that no more ugly incidents occurred here. If you can, please google Michael Donald if you don't know about him; he has an important place in history especially here in Alabama.
But moving on, back to American Violet. Imagine with me that you lived by the law. You don't do drugs, you trying to do your best, you have no problems, but along with others, you are arrested, charged with trafficking drugs to minors, and told to confess to and say you did it. Could you? would you? That is the gist of American Violet. If you want my opinion, EVERY AFRICAN AMERICAN should have a copy of this dvd. Every teacher who has a duty and sensitivity to her students should have a copy; Every momma, father, whomever who has someone young in their midst, they need this(as well as Precious too but I'm gonna leave that alone for now), they need to get a copy of this movie for their collections, WATCH IT, and DISCUSS IT too. seriously. because these things do happen. and as long as there's a black and white, it's gonna be there. Then again, I think I'm gonna put out a film and or book list that each of us should have. seriously. We need to be educated, we need to be informed but most of all, we need to KNOW.
American Violet. Check it out and see it for yourselves. Perhaps, I'll do something on Michael Donald. But I tell you what. Ravi Howard, wrote a fictional account on the incident, Like Trees Walking. check that out for yourself. I'm going to cut this short. Be blessed and have a good day.