LOIE
Gold Member
- May 11, 2017
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Hello. I am back after a self imposed hiatus from computers. But I want and need to post this.
Yesterday at church a young woman shared a story with us and urged us as Christians to put our faith into action. I borrowed most of the following from the Kalief Browder Foundation web page so the information would be accurate.
In 2010, Kalief Browder was arrested at the age of 16 for allegedly stealing a backpack and its contents. Charged as an adult, Kalief could not afford the $3,000 bail set on his freedom. He was imprisoned for over 1,000 days on Rikers Island without trail, spending 400 of those days in solitary confinement. He was starved, beaten and abused by guards and inmates.
Three years after his arrest, Kalief's charges were dismissed and he was released due to lack of evidence. He committed suicide two years later at the age of 22.
This is one of the saddest stories I have ever heard. And what disturbs me greatly is that it happened in 2010 – this is not ancient history - this is not the distant past – this is not the sins of our forefathers - this is not something that took place during slavery days, the time we are all told to forget about and stop bringing up because it’s sooooooooo over. This was eight years ago. This was a teenage kid. This was a vicious system. This was modern slavery. This was unforgettable and unforgiveable.
Yesterday at church a young woman shared a story with us and urged us as Christians to put our faith into action. I borrowed most of the following from the Kalief Browder Foundation web page so the information would be accurate.
In 2010, Kalief Browder was arrested at the age of 16 for allegedly stealing a backpack and its contents. Charged as an adult, Kalief could not afford the $3,000 bail set on his freedom. He was imprisoned for over 1,000 days on Rikers Island without trail, spending 400 of those days in solitary confinement. He was starved, beaten and abused by guards and inmates.
Three years after his arrest, Kalief's charges were dismissed and he was released due to lack of evidence. He committed suicide two years later at the age of 22.
This is one of the saddest stories I have ever heard. And what disturbs me greatly is that it happened in 2010 – this is not ancient history - this is not the distant past – this is not the sins of our forefathers - this is not something that took place during slavery days, the time we are all told to forget about and stop bringing up because it’s sooooooooo over. This was eight years ago. This was a teenage kid. This was a vicious system. This was modern slavery. This was unforgettable and unforgiveable.