Guns vs Science
Man vs Woman
Death vs Life
Play vs Experiment
liberty vs Incarceration
Are these choices clear to you?
Are your choices obvious?
Do you know the answer without a moments hesitation?
Is everything black and white for you?
If you haven't made up your mind just yet, if you're not sure, if you think maybe there's a catch, or possibly you don't have enough information, then take a moment to step into the twilight zone -that small space between pride and prejudiced - you know the one, it's right there, ... below the fold.
Let me introduce you to Tammy Glotfelty. She is woman of power and influence. With a word she can change a life forever. Tammy Glotfelty is an Assistant State Attorney, as such she makes decisions on whether or not to have people charged with a crime. Recently she has used her power to influence two lives in two very different directions.
The following lines have some information, in no particular order, about both cases:
One case involved a young woman, the other a young man.
In one case there were no injuries in the other case somebody died.
In one case the person was playing at home, in the other case the person was experimenting in a school environment.
One of the individuals is thirteen, the other individual is sixteen.
In one case no one was hurt and in the other case someone died.
In one case someone was incarcerated in the other case someone was exonerated.
Tammy Glotfelty in her infinite wisdom, as an Assistant State Attorney from the great state of Florida, has chosen to not charge Taylor Richardson, a 13 year old white boy who shot and killed his brother with a BB gun while playing at home - she has however chosen to incarcerate, and charge (as an adult) with two felonies Kiera Wilmot, a 16 year old black girl who, in the course of an unauthorized experiment, caused, by mixing common household chemicals, the top to be blown off a bottle and smoke to appear from the mouth of the bottle.
So, now you know. I do have, if you don't mind, a few questions for you before you go:
Was it because she was a girl?
Was it because she was sixteen?
Was it because she didn't have a gun?
Was it because no one died?
Was it because she was doing science?
Can you see the unmentioned gorilla in the room?
Shhhhhh
...
quiet now
...
Dare you think it ... much less say it?
...
Was it because she is ... black instead of white?
An interview with Kiera's Lawyer here (thanks to 'My Stupid Opinion' for the link)
You can read more outrage in regard to Kiera Wilmot being charged with 2 felonies here, here, and here.
You are encouraged to sign a petition, there are many of them out there but the one hotlinked, as far as I am aware, has the most signatures to date.
Take pride
And
Eliminate prejudice