I am not surprised at all at the huge drop out rate of kids now a days from high school. I have heard and seen a lot about this happening all over. From what I hear it is that kids drop out because they are bored and aren’t being challenged enough. And also that the school year is just getting way too long. Here in Georgia they barely get a summer vacation. You can”t shove kids in school for that long amounts of time and expect them to not get tired of it.

I think a lot needs to be done to our educational system to change this. But it also comes down to the parents and what they are doing to insure that their kids stay in school. The government can’t do it all.

Cynthia, Covington, Ga.

. . . .Good Job. He’s the kind of leader from the good old days.

I have a PhD and choose to teach and work with high school aged students because I believe that is where I best impact the world. All kids need to feel wanted, respected, worthy, and intelligent. All their adults have a responsibility to do that by guiding them, setting appropriate parameters, and letting them follow their hearts. I was born partially blind, have ADD, and am a wee bit dyslexic and no one ever said I couldn’t. Not my doctors, not my family, not my friends, not my teachers, and not a society that didn’t understand visual impairment, ADD, or dyslexia (and really doesn’t in many ways still). I was told to thrive. I was told to follow my dreams. I was told I’d hit my wall, and I could be defeated or figure out how to climb over it. And I did through a BA, MEd, and PhD and various career changes that led me back to working with kids who need someone to believe in them. Through it all, my adults supported me 110%, helped me accommodate as needed, and trusted that I knew what I needed to succeed. I knew they thought I could. They still do. We have to tell kids we believe in them, and then we have to show them that. We have to support them and push them even if they get hurt in the process of figuring out what success means. We need to provide peer and community mentors that can give those things they might not get at home. Mostly we have to care about kids. My kids know I care that they do well, that I know they can do well, and that I will do what it takes to help them do well. It’s up to the adults to lead the way. Mine did it for me. It’s the least I can offer back. I just wish everybody else felt the same way. Imagine how awesome that would be for our future if we all gave back so our kids could thrive.

I think it’s parents, for the most part. I find that parents don’t guide their children enough. They are too busy doing what they want to do and not what their children need. Ask teachers how hard it is to get parents to show up for report card night or to do anything at the school. We also don’t like saying no to our kids, so they can watch as much TV as they want, stay on the Internet all night and talk on the phone until they are blue in the lips. Parents need to step up!!

Marvin Arrington for President, refreshing seeing someone sincere. Honest and concerned with all.

I’m not sure how White America views this issue, but from the African Americans perspective these issues related to the disproportionate numbers of African Americans dropping out of school could have been addressed years ago after segregation and Jim Crow, by awarding African Americans the reparations due to them from the governmental support of slavery in this country. This will be the only equalizer to Black America’s issues. The problem is White America and the Federal government choose to resist the idea pretending there’s no middle ground because the persons responsible are no longer living. The question is, why? How come White America and the government wont support reparations for the crimes of slavery, when they overwhelmingly supported it for the holocaust survivors? Does White America believe the Jews suffered more than the Blacks did from slavery? Ray Charles can see that the reparations awarded to the Jews catapulted them to one of the wealthiest races in the world. What a difference reparations did for them. Really I’m wasting my time writing this comment. I’m sure it wont make the show.

Charles
Columbus, Oh

Editor’s note: Judge Marvin Arrington has served as a Superior Court Judge in Fulton County, Georgia, since 2002. He recently ordered white lawyers out if his courtroom so he could speak to a black-only audience. FULL STORY We asked Judge Arrington to share his thoughts - he wrote about the importance of education.

Response:
Okay, it is time the Government start enforcing our race discrimination laws. I am tired of some blacks thinking they are above this law. They can have their black history month, they can have their united negro college fund, their NAACP, etc, but whites can’t have their organizations because if they did, it would be a cry for race discrimination. Now in the U.S. we have equal rights. It is time for the Government to get off its ass and enforce them. We cannot keep allowing this kind of thing to happen. What messages does this send our young people of all races when the old school blacks do this sort of thing.

I think the basic responsibility starts from Home, and with a lot of parent involvement. Parents need to donate much of their time, talking to their children about school and specially the Academics. Sometimes, even though the parents are well educated, they start eduring more further education, collecting degrees and therby in a way neglecting their child’s education by not participating in simple but important events like back-to school nights or very important parent-teacher conferences. So, all parents, you brought your child into this world and the most important duty is making their future by guiding them academically.

This is the information about the judges comment regarding the whites being ordered out of the courtroom from WSBTV.com:
Judge Orders Whites Out Of Atlanta Court
“ATLANTA — Judge Marvin Arrington insists he’s not a racist; despite ordering white lawyers out of his courtroom on Thursday.

The Fulton County Superior Court judge said he was just fed up seeing a parade of young black defendants in his courtroom.

“I came out and saw the defendants, about 99.9 percent Afro-Americans, and some point time I excused some of the lawyers, most of them white, and said to the young people in here ‘What in the world are you doing with your lives,’” he told WSB-TV Channel 2 reporter JaQuitta Williams.

Arrington said he thought his message might have more power if it was delivered to a blacks-only audience.

“I didn’t think about racism or reverse racism, I practiced law for 30 years and 75 percent of my partners were white,” he explained.

The judge said the majority of people who appear before him accused of crimes such as murder, rape and robbery are black and he wanted to do something about it, one on one.

“I didn’t want them to think I was talking down to them; trying to embarrass them or insult them; be derogatory towards them and I was just saying ‘Please get yourself together,’” he said.

Arrington added that he may make a similar speech next week, but this time he’ll allow everyone to hear it.”

I think Judge Arrington is wrong and I think Rev. Wright is wrong. It is time for the elitest blacks to stop acting like they are the only ones who can save “their” people. It is time to let people have role models who are chosen based on the content of their character, not the color of their skin. It is time for us to live and play together, to worship and to be judged together. It is time to bring all our young people out of the idolization of ganster and prison culture. This culture affects much more than just young black men.

I think Judge Arrington has a lot to offer to ALL our citizens, but that the message will always be more powerful when it is delivered in an unseggregated forum.

Try boarding schools as Chicago Superintendent Arne Duncan is looking into. Parents are not going to change no matter how much people rant and rave about parents and ’starting from home.’

Some kids homelife is so dysfunctional and sometimes so dangerous that I think any idea of boarding school is a great one.

My parents always stressed a good education and I ended up with 3 degrees with an almost perfect grade point average on each of them. With my children I have helped them with their homework, challenged them to think about things differently and not be afraid of reaching a conclusion different from someone else’s as long as they could back it up with data. I have always told them that while I don’t expect perfect grades from them I do expect them to put forth their best effort.

Has it worked? Yes and no. You can expose all your children to the same thing and the same expectations but don’t expect the same results with each. I have 2 who have advanced degrees - PhD and a Masters. I have one that is in pre-med at college. I have one who graduated high school just barely and has no desire to go to college. My youngest is still struggling with high school as she has dyslexia. Will they all make it in life? You bet - self confidence and exposure to a good education has had its beneficial effects. It does pay to take time with your child - the rewards are far more satisfying than anything else a parent can do.

Annie Kate
Birmingham AL

Good for him. Sounds like Bill Cosby telling people to take responsibility for their lives. Help each other, that’s why were here.

hi Anderson .
i m really sick about the racial contreversy , i think if a white judge did the same think and told the blacks out from the room it will be a big hit and you will see alsharpon , jessy and more of them on tv but now to them it s normal .well i think it s time to move on with racial problemes and talk about what interset the american poeples. poverety, health care , jobs ect ect

I believe it was Marcus Garvey who said “no man ever rose to low expectations”. Judge Arrington simply raised the bar on the expectations of our youth. He used a perfect opportunity to show young African Americans that one of their elders cared enough to speak to them without embarrassing them in front of their lawyers. He will catch flack for stepping up to the plate in this manner, however, it was far more important that the young men heard him and will use the information to hopefully turn their lives around.

It is gracious that he will repeat his speech to include others next week. Favoritism and nepotism was not born in the minority community. However, when minorities show any sign of it there is this desperate outcry from the old “majority”. It is sad that if “elite” upstanding citizens share concern with our youngsters and attempt to encourage or improve everyones quality of life, the race card is used. Thank God for America and the Constitution - Freedom of Speech.

people have to realize that what the judge did was for the benefit of the criminal. he was already in trouble and he didn’t want to talk to him about being another black man going to jail in front of the other lawyers i’m sure he would do the same for a young white person in the same situation I don’t see it as a racist jester just a judge trying to talk some sense into the fellow

The judge’s action was obviously appropriate. No one should segregate a public place on the basis of race. I understand the judge’s reasoning, and he was not being racist. He wanted his message to be heard without the defendant’s missing the message.

Another double standard. If a white judge had done this, he would be accused of racism………………

I can’t believe this guy is a judge. He chewed on his tongue during the interview and obviously doesn’t know how to form a coherent sentence or answer a simple question.
Also, why is it OK to call Caucasians White but not OK to call African Americans Black? From now on, I refuse to be called White. I am Norwegian American.

No matter how you look at it, he took a group of people based on the color of their skin and asked them to leave the courtroom. Look up the definition of racism and you will find what he did was indeed racist. I’m not saying this judge is racist, but what he did clearly is…

Regardless of the Race of the JUDGE, this was not the right way to handle this situaion. If the JUDGE were white and he asked all africans to leave the court room, Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton would have been in the HEADLINES before the night ended.

If a white judge did the same they would have buses shipped in to protest!!!!!!!!
GIVE ME A BREAK!

In looking at this stoy it makes perfect sence what he did. He wanted to tell these people that he is sick of their behavior. He was probably thinking that if it came from him it might get through because it is coming from a fellow black person who came where they came from so it reduces the victim excuse. If he would have done it with the white people in the room it would have made the defendents feeling that he was belittling them infront of white people.

If he is able to get through to repeat criminals I say more power to him.

I don’t know what everyone is going on about? If the judge was saying something positive to the defendants then what’s the problem?? Who knows?? It might have some effect on them and prevent a robbery or shooting in YOUR neighborhood. This man was trying to uplift these young black people and yet again, you have white people crying “racism”. What more do you want from black people?? There was even a comment about black people having “their black history month” WHAT the heck is that?? Black people just get a MONTH, white people get a whole year!! In school, our children can’t even pass high school without having to take white people’s history… a lot more harm has been done to black people than white people. Look who’s filling up our jails?? And white people have the right to complain about blacks being fair??? There’s nothing fair about this country when it comes to minorities PERIOD… white people are more privileged than everyone else and until that equals out then this issue isn’t going away.

It’s a universal message that should be delivered to all children. Stay in school work hard and do the right thing. Proclamation by the strongest community leaders, such as pastors, that you deserve something so sit there and wait for what your owed. This is a fantastic message. Give him a break, don’t kill the messenger. Look what happened to Bill Cosby for saying the same thing. Someone dug up some dirt, This could be the new leader ,with the right message, that the community needs. Racism? Give me a break! Don’t make it hard for this great judge to do the right thing.

well said roy. As the judge explained it was important to him that his intended audience did not feel embarrassed or talked down to. It seemed to be very fatherly and compassionate. It would have been nice if a white judge excused the other white members and gave the same speech to the blacks that come before the bench. Of course, in order for the white judge to not be construed as racist, he/she would have to be very active and recognizable in the african american community.

The judge was wrong for excluding the white attorneys, but I’m glad that he tried to talk to those young black men. I wish more people like the judge and Bill Cosby would come out and denounce this black on black genocide that is taking place in the inner-city.

African American’s have been looked down upon since the beginning of time. I think that it was a good idea to ask the White American’s to step outside while he talk to the young and the middle age defendents. I don’t see nothing wrong with that. Why is it such a big problem? It is time for White Amerian’s to stop judging African American’s on the negative, because the same problems are all over this world today. One race is no better than the other, and all races are faced with the same problems. You can lead a horse to water but that doesn’t say his going to drink, but it is good to hear someone talk to African American’s young and old to show them that somebody truly cares, and hearing that might make some of them want to change their ways.

Agree w/ Jeff above. Judge prob. just didn’t want to humiliate them . Is this the most important story in the country today?

TO all of you who don’t get….this shows, white american does not know what black america is thinking. I do not believe the judge is racist, and yes he went about it the wrong way, but it needs to be done. Young black men are going to jail at an alarming rate. It does them good to hear a black role model speak to them. White america, can never understand what it means to be black in this country, you can try, even sympathize, but can never empathize, because you are not black! That is not racist, it is just a fact!

Thank you for sharing this. Whatever the controversy, you are an amazing person, and I look forward to finding and reading your book.

What this highly educated black judge, like Bill Cosby, did in frustration is equate symptoms with root cause. While well intended, they are being disengenuious to Blacks by omitting root cause in their lectures. This further exaserbates the feeling of low self-worth within their intended audience. What they fail to point out is that if the historical circumstances for whites and blacks were exchanged, so would the social demographics. Any beliefs otherwise suggests racial supremacy. Helping black folk to be more resourceful, like their ancestors, does not have to be done in a disengenuious manner.

I understand the judge’s reasoning, and he is CLEARLY a good man, but I think it was not right to have the lawyers leave the room at the very least. He was probably correct in thinking that his message would hit home better if spoken as a message to the blacks in the room. I do agree with one blogger who wrote that ALL present could have benefitted from the message, and should not have been made to leave. Had a white judge done the same, someone would be demanding he step down. I too am tired of the reverse racism that exists in this country, though I believe it is inevitable in the healing process for the black community. I have heard interviews with many blacks who have said, it’s time for the black man and woman to stop blaming whites for their misfortunes in life, and start finding a way to live the american dream; become a successful part of american society. It’s not easy for any of us, and we ALL have to make our way in the world. We only have this life to make it happen in as far as we know. Oh. And I am an Italian, Welsh, Swedish, American, American. Please don’t call me white or caucasion. Thank you

It,s time for some people to stop feeling sorry for them selves, get off here ass and stop blaming everyone and everythong else for there problems and situation. The idea of reparations is absolutely ignorant and absurd to say you are owed money for something that happened over 150 years.

As a person who works in the legal field, I have the utmost respect for Judges and their opinions. Being around them for many years, I know that when it comes down to it, they want to be fair and do the right thing.

With our jails and courtrooms overcrowded, the last thing a judge wants is a reversed decision or a decision that is appealed.

If this judge felt a comradere with the defendants and he felt it would make a difference in their lives then I fully support it. He is giving them some accountability in what they want to do with their future. If they choose to stand before him again for judgment, they will not receive such lenience.

I think that once again we have the wright motive but the wrong explanation. Rather that the judge bragging about the boards that he sits on and who has signed his book, he should have focused on clarity of thought. Me, a black man, know that the judge wanted to speak to the young mans heart without any of the young mans perceived distractions or “enemies”. and the judge was the right person to do this as he was once someone from the streets with a distorted sense of perception; someone who has learned to embrace and transform reality and destiny. Yes, the message is for everyone. But sometimes there are those who you would like to take by the collar and say “wake up, fool;my son;my brother, because if no one else does, I care.

I think Judge Arrington was both right and wrong. His message was right, but the way he delivered it was wrong. Segregation is supposed to be illegal in this country and of all places–in a court room. I hate to say this because I’m sure others have and will, but truly if a white judge asked all the black people to leave, well we all know Jesse and the Rev. Al would be at that court room door in a heart beat protesting and calling for some sort of boycott.

I understand the message he was trying to deliver and wanted it to be just like a talk from a dad or a grandfather. But honestly, that was not the time nor the place. Instead of being so blatant and obvious in a public court room, he should have instead asked each of the defendents’ lawyers to bring their client into his chambers….and to do so AFTER court was adjourned.

That being said, there is also the possibility that the judge had some racist comments against white people and didn’t want them to hear the comments. Hardly a likely scenario since he did seem sincere. But he truly acted unprofessional and out of line.

What I will say though that the judge did an EXCELLENT JOB totally skirting the issue and the questions posed by Anderson Cooper. He never really did on tv or in his blog answer the question as to why he really did order all the white people to leave his court room.

Wow. the opinions of the general populace are pretty scary. Reparations? Oh yeah, that’ll solve everything. And I didn’t know it wasn’t Ok to call Afircan Americans “Black”. I must’ve missed that memo.

The truth is, these Black youngsters needed to be dealt with differently. One cannot ask why it isn’t Ok for a white judge to kick out Blacks. This isn’t comparing apples to apples. The Black experience in America is fundamentally different than Whites. Forty-some years of “Affirmaive Action” does not wipe out hundeds of years of slavery and racism - it takes generations to overcome all those years of injustice.

But take a look at public education in America. It’s failing our kids both white and black (and brown, etc.). Here in California, we have one of the world’s greatest economies, yet our per pupil spending is below that of prisoners. We rank near the bottom in per pupil spending, which helps to ensure there will be plenty of future prisoners. Parental involvement is one issue, but nearly 2/3 of all Black families are single parent families. Why isn;t there a rap song about that? Oh wait, there’s a new movie this weekend with Keanu Reeves about “gangs and the mean streets of LA”.

Sad. Life goes on…

Right on Judge. I am a white, middle aged, middle class male who applauds Judge Arrington. What he did was a cultural thing not a racist thing. The African American culture has elements to it that I could never understand or address. We need to realized that our amalgam of ethnicity cannot … I repeat cannot be put in a white or black box and expect everyone to come out the same. As an educator I realized early on that different cultures understand different cultural norms… regardless of the set norms US holds so dear. They don’t work for everyone. If it works, let it work. Let’s not cry foul because a bunch of white folks were asked to leave the court room so a highly esteemed leader of the community wants to talk on a level that most of us white folks would never get! But, I would have loved to been present to get an idea on where to start.

Good luck Judge and don’t let em get you down.

What Judge Arrington did is not racism. How many of us have been asked by management to step out of a conference room when they wanted to speak with the non management employees about human resource issues. How many of us ask siblings to step out of the room while another sibling is lectured for a wrongful act or behavior . How many teachers talk to the boys in one room and the girls in another on sensitive issues. How many of us enjoy being lectured in front of other people and why is CNN/Anderson flashing racist judge at the bottom of the screen but saying he is not calling Arrington racist. America, we must stop this foolishness now. Let us really think before we speak and put these ideas out to the people.

Message to Bsti.

Not to sound mean, but “Where have you been?” It has been “OK” to call refer to African Americans as “Black” since the seventies. I think the terms “Black” and “White” are for quick reference. We all know that noone is either black or white. Th

That’s why it has always been such ignorance on a person’s part to think that the “color” of someone’s skin “would” actually or “could” actually play a part in their intelligence. Scientifically, it is impossible.

God Bless the Judge for speaking up. All men need to rise up and take the lead and teach the younger ones.

Just saw the news and was amazed at how well the Judge did NOT answer the question.

Anderson’s too nice - maybe we need the guys from BBC to ask the question!

Shades of James Cone Jeramiah Write. “”The time has come for white America to be silent and listen to black people.” (James Cone) That court room belongs to all of the people. The defendants perpetrated a crime against their victims and the people. That’s why they things like “People vs…”. I heard nothing that indicated that those white persons were disruptive. I didn’t hear anything that justified. As I understand it, lawyer also officers of the court. I would be outraged if anyone was excused without a legitimate reason. No matter what his creditials, “excusing” white persons was the type of cheap theatrics I’d expect from Wright. Sad the sheriff had to be reminded of the right thing to do. I’m dissappointed. By the way, where’s the back of the bus?

You say you dont like to throw around the term racist, but had this been a white Judge that ask all African American to leave the court room. You and CNN would have a panel of African Americans discussing how racist this was and they would be asking that the judge be removed from the bench.
I do not like the unequal treatment of any person due to the color of there skin, and this is exactly what you and CNN have done.

Final Note: I do not think that Judge Marvin Arrington should be removed from the bench.

Sorry Cindy, but you are definately wrong. The large amount of children dropping out of schools today do not do so because they are “bored”. There are many reasons, like failing families in the US. The single parent family has begun to require children to support themselves and even help support their parents. Many drop out of high school in order to do so and forfeit a much larger paycheck in the future to make ends meet now. Most of this is a result of the fact that the US has increased production over the last 40 years every single year, but has failed to increase the wage of the laborers that go along with it. The reason for this is the fact that Supply for jobs in the global market has greatly reduced the costs necessary to maintain employeees, forcing a lot of Americans to accept lower pay. Businesses are then able to keep jobs here, but the people make less money and the market continues to inflate which results in requiring the teenagers to join the workforce. When teenagers have to join the workforce you end up having an increased rate in highschool dropouts. Other factors may include, but are definately not limited to: gang members not willing to get help because they look weak, terrible role models for children i.e. Spears, Simpson, Hilton, Kobe, and certain groups feeling as if they are the “victims” in society and deserve things served to them instead of working to earn them.

This political climate has everything a black person or white does as something done out of racism. Why we are not able to see the judge’s action as a tactical action to reach these young criminals in a way that may have not challenged their egos. I see the judge’s action being performed in a way that may have captured these criminals attention and not come off as a black pawn trying to look good before a white kingdom. Believe it or not, but in some retrospects when a black professional is left to lecture people of his own race before his white peers; that professional would appear to be coming off like an Uncle Tom, and there is not any sincerity as to his lecture. Most criminals who lacks education carry this thought pattern and I believe that the judge was aware of these criminals’ mis-education of a professional black man. Leading him to believe it is best to deliver the message in this manner. I am sure the recorder recorded everything that was said in the courtroom. So the proof is in the pudding when he gives that same lecture.

I am Black, but I still think that the Judge used the wrong platform for his lecture. I think we still have a problem with racisim in this world so until it is over, we need to hold ourselves (Black Americans) to the same rules as we hold to White Americans. I think it was a positive Idea, but it was wrong to single out a group of people. However, White Americans need to understand that for years Black Americans had no unity because it was not allowed by White America. In not allowing this, Blacks still have issues coming together as one and looking out for each others well being, So when we have someone willing to stand up and speak out it should be welcomed . Lets face it, it is easy to say…….Slavery was over 100 years ago why dont black people get over it….but when you research it, everything in life has a trickling effect. We won’t even talk about the fact the slavery really did not end until the late 60’s early 70’s. Lets go further back to the 1800’s when Blacks were not allowed to learn period. We had our familes seperated so that we felt alone and did not have any loyalty to our fellow slave mates. We were not allowed to start familes in slavery. There was one Mandigo man who had sex with all of the slaves. The trickle effect is that they released ignorant slaves who did not know how to read or write. They released slaves who never learned how to manage money. They released slaves who never learned how to communicate with the people of their own race. They released slaves that never learned how to start and stay in a family. Every man wanted to be a mandingo (Hence the single mother epidemic). And all of these ex-slaves who were never taught anything had to turn around and raise children. Since they did not know anything, they taught their children the best they could and those children taught their children the best they could and so on. You can even go as far as saying that their are a lot of White Families that are still rich because of slavery, and their are even more Black Families that are still broke because of slavery. I have said all this to say, White America should try and be a little more lenient on Blacks that are trying to help each other. The key is that Blacks have to figure out the proper way of doing it that is a lot less offensive.

Racism is defined as a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one’s own race is superior and has the right to rule others.

This Judge was not doing this because he thinks that Blacks are the superior race, he is doing this because he sees potential in his race that is not being achieved by its young people.

The Honorable Judge Arrington in his soul knows the racism that STILL permiates this nation, and took an opportunity to talk to his kids “it takes a village to raise a child” is more a black culture; it should be a human culture…..

Had a follow up thought on the comment a previous posting made justifying this as handling different cultures. One of the single most important factors that binds a nation together is a shared experience. Segregation and exclusion are the demons that so many - blacks, whites and others fought against in the Civil Rights era. Some of both balck and white races shared their experience in a horrible death because of their commitment to one another. Again, such a learned and astute public servant as Judge Arrington would have understood that. . Was all of that wasted?

It’s inspiring to see an authority in the dehumanized court system step away from the gavel to send a paternalistic, but deep-seatedly compassionate message to someone in his present condition. I feel the words he chose to convey were sympathetic and direct to the receiver, and only those who he chose to be on hand to witness were those that could empathize. I think that it was an effective way to personalize the message to make and hopefully to affect change,

I appreciated Judge Arrington’s post yesterday and his appearance on 360 last night. Although, as the judge said, he regrets what he did, I can fully appreciate his reasons for doing it.

I am surprised and disappointed by the number of angry comments left on this post. The personal attacks on the judge are uncalled for. Judge Arrington’s actions were not meant to be malicious; he seemed disheartened by the number of young Blacks who were coming before him time and time again and was desperate to do something about it. I wish more people in positions of authority would have the courage to speak up the way he did, maybe it would make a difference. I am sure that he has been a great inspiration to others.

I hope Anderson will bring us the judge’s message when he gives it again to an unsegregated audience. It is a message that should be heard by Blacks, Whites, and Browns alike.

I hope that there are more Marvin Arringtons out there; we could use them.

Bravo Judge!

Jo Ann
North Royalton, Ohio

Thank God we still have strong black men such as Mr. Arrington and yes even Rev. Wright. Our younger black men really need men such as these in their lives because many have never had father figures to offfer this firm, but caring attention.

White America once again it has nothing to do with you or against you! There is no secret our culture is different from yours. It has always been the place of our older men to diciplince, teach and yes protect us younger ones. This goes way back to Slavery! They must teach them how to survive, we have gotten away from that , that;s why you see the youngers ones saying and doing some of the horrible things they are doing. there was a time they were simply being accused of the crimes without guilt, now we have lost so much of ourselves trying to adapt to the other cultures around us many are unfortunate guilty of a great many things they would have never have done when our older ones took charge of them. When we did allow the village to raise the child, when you had to give account to any and all your elders without exceptions. It is very much needed.

Besides those young black men would not have received his words if those white men were still in there, they feel that is being disrespectful to them or that the judge would be fronting them to correct them in front of whites.(another secret )

We still need our strong black men, there’s just somethings that a white man can not teach them and they can not learn on their own!!!

THANK YOU JUDGE ARRINGTON, WE NEED MORE LIKE YOU!!!!!!!!!

I’ve always believed that the only way we as African Americans will be able to solve the problems of our community is to have an honest discussion about the problems we face and to offer each other real world solutions to correct them. I think Judge Arrington has done that and I hope he continues to do so.

How can you not call this racism? If a white judge did this, he would be asked to resign. But oh no, that is how the blacks do things so its OK. Same as Pastor Wright and his buddy Obama.

Whose keeping YOU honest Anderson? Arrington had you ‘treed’ from the start in your fluff interview with him. Got it, great intentions from the judge, he’s a racist, he’s black and you’re a lib, When you decide to be the tough journalist you claim to be then welcome back, until then do traffic reports. Don’t worry, you’ll not see this, your underlings will make sure it’s never posted.

Personally, i just watched Anderson Cooper ask this judge directly for his reasons behind making all of the white attorneys leave his court room, and the judge’s reply……………….evade the question and start blabbing about his track record and telling everyone what they already know …that being how bad crime is in this country..can anyone say COP OUT? HE IS A RACIST and it’s time that caucasions start standing up and have a spine, since when did it become ok for african americans to be racist in this country?….Didn’t anyone ever tell the african americans in this country that color isn’t just black and white??????….Take a stand people , quit pretending racism doesn’t exist, not to mention that this kind of action from this judge should not be overlooked and regardless of his excuses it is NOT acceptable. P.S. if the roles were reversed and this was a white judge who threw blacks out of his courtroom…Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton would be on the african american freight train for civil rights justice and we all know it. So WAKE UP AMERICA!!!! THIS STINKS OF HYPOCRISY……and if you don’t know…then find out.

Maybe, I am just an idiot. But how in the world is Judge Arrington a racist?
As a white man, born and reared in Georgia, and now living in North Carolina I can find no fault in Judge Arrington wanting to deliver a personal message to members of his own race.

Hasn’t Bill Cosby written a book that basically does the same thing? No one is calling him a racist.

There is a moral, and criminal dilema facing the black community of this nation - we can argue cause, but it doesn’t change reality.
The black community is in real need of voices like Cosby, Arrington, etc. to talk to the younger generation and remind them that violence, drugs and young men walking away from their responsibilities as fathers is NOT going to correct racism - real, perceived or imagined anytime, or anywhere.

What part of separating people by color or race is not racist and illegal in the US ? I am white and have friends of different races and colors, which I look at them as individuals NOT BLACK WHITE ETC. The only real racism I see today is from mostly people who call themselves AFRICAN AMERICANS instead of just plain ole AMERICAN. I think its time to STOP the double standards and treat racism the same no matter what race your from.
What would our system be like if all races in the US asked for the same SPECIAL treatment as these African Americans groups ?? What If Chinese Judges asked all blacks to leave court room or Native Americans or any other race Etc…? Just something to think about.
What are we teaching our kids ? It should never be OK or acceptable for any officials to separate by color of skin.
Something is wrong with our system when we allow judges especially to behave this way, how can he judge cases when he is separating people by there color of skin. If I go to court I want to trust that I am treated the same as these African American groups. If he is allowed to separate his cases as he did, can we ask for a white or red judge ? I think this is ridicules that its even up for debate racism should have no place in a judges chambers. May GOD bless our system. Rumor has it he was Jewish. LOL

PS: I wonder how the White people who were asked to leave felt ?
I wonder if they will feel the same about race after that ? The next thing you know teachers will be asking different color kids to leave class ? ask yourself is this acceptable ?

Exellent piece, however, neither you nor the judge seemed to acknowlege the definition or the legacy of the word racism. If so, both of you would have been able to pinpoint that this preferential treatment can in no way be construed as racist as it in no way implies superiority.

There is so much backlash from the majority for benefits given to minorities that at first sign of any special treatment the word racism is thrown out as a catch all. Caring for ones community on a personal level is just that. By removing those from the courtroom who have not had the experience living as an african american in this country, he was communicating to the defendants on a personal and communal level rather than on the impersonal level which is constitutionally woven into our justice system. He tried to tap into this commal bond in order to break down and expose the ignorance of those defendents who only see a justice system and not people just like themselves.

Type in the word racism into your web browser and you will find the top two responses for its definition to be the following.

Encarta says, “making the race of other people a factor in attitudes or actions concerning them. Racism implies a belief in the superiority of one’s own race.”

Wikepedia wries, “has many definitions, the most common being that members of one racial group consider themselves intrinsically superior to members of other racial groups. Racism inherently starts with the assumption that there are taxonomic differences between different groups of people. Without this assumption, prejudices against different peoples would be categorised as being prejudices related to national or regional origin, religion, occupation, social status or some other distinction.”

I wonder if this judge did this to help sales of his book ?

I applaud The Honorable Judge Arrington. He saw a problem, singled out that problem and addressed it. Doesn’t sound like racism, sounds like taking care of business.

Racist to acknowledge race? Please. It’s called being a role model.

Would we call it sexist if a female judge had cleared out male lawyers and then given some straight talk to a bunch of younger female defendents wasting their lives, dumping their babies in the trash, etc?

No. She’d be a successful woman who cared about her community and what the girls in it were doing.

Judge Arrington is probably tired of seeing black guys traipse through. Maybe they wouldn’t be there if they’d had a man like Arrington setting them straight when they were kids.

I believe racism is the belief that one’s race is superior to others, or to divide soley based on skin color. So what he did should be considered racist because he separated people soley based on race. I have no problem with what the judge did. I feel that some people, and ecspecially the media, use the word racism to describe way too many situations between whites and blacks. I would also like to know what the hell reverse racism is. Is it doing something because one doesn’t feel he is as good as the other race? I also have a problem with the “politically correct” term african american.. If I am considered white ,why is black so bad, it is simply a color just like white. I believe if we don’t want to hurt anyone’s “feelings” we should either not communicate at all, or call me an irish-german-english -norweigin-american. It might be kind of fun I’m sure there are millions of combinations out there. or just call me european=american. COME ON We are all simply americans. Quit trying to separate ourselves soley based on race. Isn’t that racist.

I agree with Judge Arrington and the lecture he gave the African American defendants, However, he should have taken them to his chambers or perhaps conducted a special court session to talk to the defendants. He feels the way I and many others feel about the recidivism rate. He simply wanted to know why these repeat offenders are continuing to commit senseless crimes and usually against their own people. Something needs to be said and said more often and loudly. I applaud the likes of Judge Arrington and Bill Cosby for using their celebrity to speak out to attempt to make a positive impact in the African American community. Anderson you are right. There are too many incidents where people holler racism or reverse discrimination just because it addresses a particular group of people or race. From what I saw of the newscast, there was nothing said or done to offend the white people in the court room. People have to look at the message that one is trying to convey and not take everything so personal or racial. I would dare to ask how did what Judge Arrington did violate anyones rights.

GO JUDGE ARRINGTON GO! Please, please, please keep up the good work.

When I heard what Marvin Arrington did, at first I thought “on my god” then I really thought about it and said “it’s about time.” Beside, we can talk to our own in a language that they really understand. Mr. Arrington made the comment that he did not want the people to think that he was talking down to them, that I understand also. I don’t have a problem with what he did and I wish more leaders would take time out to talk with our youth. Remember, “IT DOES TAKE A VILLAGE.”

CBHUGHES

Dear Judge Arrington,

Saw you on TV tonight.

There is one white boy out here of roughly your age who is scared too, scared to death. I look down at the desegregation scars on my right leg and they hurt more when the rain is coming on. I don’t want to hurt any more. We don’t need that any more.

But you stand up on your hind legs, and I will ever stand with you if called. They can break my legs and bruise my bums to their content. But I am resolved that the foolishnesses of our grandparents will not survive us. We shall not exchange politics for conversation. We shall finally, and at last, come to discussion and fairness. Guess I’ve got a second career coming on at last.

Maybe it’s time for a coalition of the elderly to rise up and teach… hoping for the world we imagined as kids. My best friend as a boy was black. I’ve always and still hope to sit down with him for a cup of coffee. I still do. But I’ve never dared to find him.

Please do call on me for whatever I can give.

Joe Dehais

I agree with the premise of Judge Arrington’s statements. He also indicated last night on AC360 that the message should be delivered to all people and not just minorities.

The solution sounds simple - people need to be involved with each other on more than a competitive level. Teachers may refer to class ratios but the objective should be to establish a plan for each student for the school year.

While I did attend a private middle school at the beginning of each year a review and plan was established for the year. It involved myself, parents, prior yr teacher and current yr teacher. We would discuss strengths, weaknesses and my goals. I was shown the expectations for each grade objective and determined which one I wanted to work for. Did I want to do 4 subject reports or only 2? I was then graded on my progress towards that objective and coached when needed.

This served so many purposes in my life along with people who reached out and cared when I needed their support most.

Hard work, blood, sweat & tears & buddy system etc are good & works. The judges sermons should be first given to the parents. Broken families, unwed mothers, irresponsible men making babies. In this society the ills are too many. This culture has to change. Even some of our Presidents & their cronies have made bad judgements & irresponsible decisions. Grooming starts with a united, loving, educated & responsible parents with common sense & good value system. The church, religion & beliefs certainly helps. The US is all screwed up from top to bottom. Look at the church scandals. Our thinking has to change.

I do not think that this judge should feel that he made a mistake in asking certain people to leave his court room. At some point people need to stop throwing the race card into every part of american society. This was simply a man (from what I ahve heard from hearing him speak since this issue developed) who wanted to say..”look I know where you’ve been and i can see where you are going if you don’t get your act together.” If it had been a white judge saying this to black defendants, you can bet the shoe would be on the other foot.

Can we get him on the ticket with Obama?????? I’d gladly vote for both…and I’m a registered Republican.

Good for you Sir….it’s too bad people have nothing better to do with their time that to find fault in other people trying to do something good for their communities……..

I think the judge was trying to do a good thing. I think it would have been better had he addressed everyone.

black only audience….seems unfair coming from a judge.

I think young people who drop out of school should learn some sort of trade. Lots of young folks have no direction or anyone there to pump that into their heads.

I really have no racial problem with what the Judge did. However, having said that, I still think everyone should have been left in the courtroom. I am white and it is refreshing to see blacks, such as judges, actor/comedians (e.g., Bill Cosby) tell it like it is for a change and to stop blaming whites for all of the problems some blacks go through. Most of it is their own doing anyway. No one forces them to sell drugs, join gangs, shoot and kill each other, kick them out of school, etc. This judge was just telling them to take control of their own lives and do what’s right.

The judge had every right to speak to these young people as he did. After seeing wasted lives, day after day, he had apparently reached his limit. The fact that these young people shared his skin color is a non-issue. Every American should and must be accountable for there own future. We all face difficult moments in our lives, some more so than other. We, as Americans, have the right to choose to go to school, work, be hands on parents and responsible citizens. Some do not appreciate this and waste they future, blaming others for their misfortunes.

Jeff, you are might be right. He could have wrote them a letter. He was trying to make a point amd we don’t know what the point is.

Annie kate,
Yeah, I know what you mean. I have three sons and I don’t want to put my foot in my mouth. You just never know. Sometimes, it just don’t matter. You do all you can and fail.

It just goes to show how we are in a changing world and our would is not like our kid’s world.

I just want to keep on going

My kids know how to fish and hunt. They know how to put up a fence. They dig potatoes, when in season. You know what I mean.
They could adapt if it ever came to it.

I wish I had a few chickens and a milking cow now. Know what I mean? Yeah, you do.

If a white judge had done the same thing, blacks would be calling for his disbarment…I’m of a minority also, however I do not feel his actions were right. I don’t think he is racist and I understand what he was trying to do but I think he went about it the wrong way. The double standard seems to be OK for some blacks since it’s taken as “payback”…but no one is alive today that was around during slavery days…and to the person that made the comment about the holocaust…people and even perps are still around today to give first hand accounts of those days.

I am a white man and I have NO problem with whatever this judge does if it works. The only problem is that talk alone very seldom works. You can’t change a persons mind when they have been told all of their life that they will never amount to anything. I know that first hand. You have to show them that ANYTHING is possible for ANYONE. I suggest that this judge, along with anything else he does, is to also order each one of these people to READ the biography of the life of George Washington Carver, and learn just what CAN be done by any person, even one from the lowest of birth rights such as Carver born into slavery. Then check them on it later to see what they learned, or still need help understanding.