AFRO-Americ@: Community Discussions

Each week, we post a topic for open discussion. Read on and give it some thought. Then when you're ready to add your voice to the dialogue, give us everything you've got.

This week's topic: In Poughkeepsie, NY, the advisors of Tawana Brawley (who include Reverend Al Sharpton) were recently found guilty of defamation in a suit initiated by one of the group of white men she claimed raped her over 10 years ago. What is your opinion regarding this result?

Name:Jeanette
Email: www.jeanettesbaby.com
Response: In order to fairly look at this case, you need to go back to the original charges Tawana was claiming, rape and beating/torture. Not a bone was broken, no bruises or contusions to speak of were found. The "rapists" were apparently polite enough to use condoms, as there was no sperm found on examination. This girl had some serious family problems, which I certainly hope have since been addressed. On that account, my heart goes out to her. However, for Rev. Sharpton to go to the jugular on a very unsure basis was foolhardy and unwise on his part. As someone already said, there are more important issues at stake to be sued over, as the whole case was contrived.

Name: Nnamdi
Email: gy13
Response: We shouldn't be surpised. Don't we usually receive Injustice in AMERIKKKA!

Name: Erle Newby
Email: ennewby@aol.com
Response: Tawana Brawlay caused alot of grief for many people, her family first and the for the people who hopped on the band wagon to bring her alagations to the public. Al sharpton and his buddies made accuations and could back any of them up. Now they are paying for what they did to others. I have no sympathy for any of them

Name: Abyssinian Shabazz
Email: nubiann@hotmail.com
Response: One of the police officers in the case committed sucicide after being accussed;I thinkthat he feel on his sword for the discrace thathe had brought to his family and the police force!!!>>It is only then that Pogonescame forward with an alibi for his where aboutsduring the time that Twana's ordeal took place!!District attorneys are not known for socializing with police officers;off duty!!!

Name: Theresa Brown
Email: tbrown32@bellsouth.net
Response: My opinion is this: if they did this act then they should be punished. For something that happened over 10 yrs ago, is crazy. I feel that I am not the one to sit and past judgement on any man. I feel that if they are or are not guilty then allow this matter to be handled by a higher authority. Meaning God. In the long run if they are guilty it will come out.If not the truth still will prevail.

Name: Joden Caine
Email: jtc4@dana.ucc.nau.edu
Response: "Those who refuse to remember the past are condemned to repeat it." -George SantayanaWill we never learn how precious life is...are we justified from guilt because of someone'sinterpretation of the word "Justice?" In one's misery, he ends another's life...then we take away that misery by ending his. Things shouldn't work that way.

Topic: Ruling in defamation suit against Tawana Brawley advisors Name: Frank Rogers
Email: tatras@juno.com
Response: I agree with Frank Joyce: "In order to train them for slavery, every effort was made to systematically destroy the language, awareness of history, religion, culture, customs and family structure of African People." Name: THE IRISHMAN
Email:
Response: To answer the ignorant comments of mad dogwould require the lenth of a novel,but i willtry to make it breif. Your envy of the white man is evident.In your mind you can believethat white men rove the streets of our citiesinduldging in violent crimes against your people Understand this,no matter what you say or think this country has been,is now,and alwayswill be EURO owned,operated,and manipulated Sucks huh.This was decided long before you,and I where even thought of.Your dumb-assopinions only hurt the majority of blackswho,along with jews,italians,slovs,spanish,irish,and asians who have learned to assimilateinto AMERICAN society through the years. Do not cry to this forum about judicalinjustice as it pertains to race.Our prisonsare not filled jews or chinamen.

Name: Gerald Givens
Email: GGenerations@msn.com
Response: We all have a responsiblity to do as much as we when we can. I remember reading the Letter from Birmingham Jail that Dr. King wrote in which he address why he came to Alabama to help protest racism, even though he lived in Georgia. I believe that we can't wait for White Americans to provide us with justice. That is our responsiblity to collectively produce justice for us in the classrooms, courthouses, corporations, and everywhere that we are in need of justice in America. And when brothers and sisters have the oppourtunity to influence a just change, then a change should be made. That's what is called African American interest.That's what is called Black Interest. From economics to labor, law, polictics, religion, sex, and war we must apply this philosophy. And hopefully if enough us finally come to understand this, then we will begin to see a radical redistribution of wealth, that will uplift millions of our childern today who are living in proverty. Hopefully I said something that we can all understand.

Name: Maria Orsini
Email: morsini@lynx.neu.edu
Response: This is an issue that becomes complicatedas soon as we think of racism. It could be truethat indeed she was raped and people turned against hermaking this a racial issue. It could also be true that she was trying to use the issue of race in her favor.But the truth is when women come out with something as painful as rape they are mosttelling the truth.

Name: TIA SAMUEL
Email: smoothe@bellsouth.net
Response: I THINK THAT YOU CAN'T REALLY TAKE SIDES ON THIS MATTER, BECAUSE THERE ARE ALWAYS HIDDEN FACTS IN PUBLIC MATTERS. FIRST OF ALL, EVIDENTUALLY TAWANA BRAWLEY WAS DEALING WITH ALOT OF PERSONAL ISSUES IN ORDER FOR HER TO LIE ABOUT A MATTER AS SERIOUS AS THIS. WHEN YOUNG WOMAN MAKE ACCUSATIONS AGAINST ANY MAN IT COMES FROM A DEEP ROOTED REALITY. MAYBE AROUND WHERE SHE LIVED AND KNEW THINGS LIKE THIS DID HAPPEN. ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY, IT IS UNJUST TO RUN SOMEBODY'S NAME INTO THE GROUND ON FALSE PRETENSES. PPLEASE PARDON MY IGNORANCE ON THIS MATTER. FOR I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW SHE WAS IN A CANATONIC STATE WITH FECES ON HER IF NO ONE PUT IT THERE. IF SHE PUT IT THERE THAN I THINK SHE NEEDS PSYCHIATRIC HELP! LJS

Name:
Email: lettsifo@aol.com
Response: My reaction is simply: Whatever happened to the statue of limitations? Ten tears after the fact... As a highly visible judge says, "Don't pee on my knee and then try to convince me that is is raining."

Name:
Email: Diamons4u@aol
Response: They should have got some attention too, but since they are black they didn't recive any. I think that this is wrong but they did'nt speak up so why should I?

Name: Dianna
Email:
Response: I don't know very many facts on the case, but no ones character should be defamed unless the facts of the situation are known with out a doubt. Regardless of if the person is whtie and the victim is black, or vice versa (espessially in a situation as serious as this). If the facts are not known, keep your mouth shut!!

Name: Gerald Ivory
Email: GIvory1009@aol.com
Response: This case has been driven more on emotions by both sides, and very little on facts. A "rush to judgement" by all parties. The truth may never be uncovered.

Name: Ron Mabry
Email: pastor@fuse.net
Response: Personally, I am hesitant to attribute the recent ruling in this case to racism. It appears that an injustice was committed; in that, innocent people were falsely accused. It now becomes the duty for the Rev. Al Sharpton to make necessary apologies. If in fact he is desirous of setting the pace within the African American community, then what better way than to rectify what has become another "sore" within our community.

Name: SHLOMI
Email: SHALOM@COM.
Response: MAKE LOVE NOT WAR!!! LOVE YOU SHLOMI

Name: Terry Moten
Email: tertramoten@msn.com
Response: I would argue, that for those of us who have no knowledge of the Tawana Brawley case, other that we received through mediums of mass communication, should be extremely cautious as to what conclusions we draw based on this information. I must say that until the Tawana Brawley case, I don't believe that I was all that familiar with who Rev. Al Sharpton was. I believe it accurate to say, had it not been for the Tawana Brawley case, I and many others would still be ignorant to a large degree as to who he is. I seem to remember that he was extremely vocal in his support of Ms. Brawley. I also seem to remember, he was equally vocal in besmirching the character of those whom were accused in the sexual assault. We also know that the accused were acquitted. Whether one choses to agree or disagree with the verdict, the fact still remains that there are individuals who were found not to be criminally responsible for which they were accused and , I would assume, publicly disgraced. And for whatever reasons Ms. Brawley had for not taking the stand, in defense of those who "defended" her, is seemingly irrelevant. The fact is, she did not. Given these facts as we know them to be the truth, it seemingly transcends reason to expect anything other than a judgement for the plaintiff.

Name: JMEL
Email: RSDLJ5@AOL.COM
Response: THIS SHOULD BE A LESSON FOR PEOPLE TO ENSURE THE VICTIM HAS NO ALTER MOTVE. CHECK THE FACTS AND REACT. KEEP EMOTIONS OUT OF THE EVALUTION AND GET THINGS IN WRITING. IT IS TOO BAD THAT THE CASE ENDED IN SUCH A EMBARRASSING MANNER. THIS RULING SHEDS A BAD LIGHT ON LEGITIMATE CLAIMS AND WILL MAKE IT MUCH HARDER TO PROSCECUTE WHEN IT MERITS

Name: marquita
Email: utoledo
Response: I think the person should get in trouble for blaming someone for the crime she thinks an AFRICAN AMERICAN done

Name: Malcolm Glasgow
Email: Malcolm_Glasgow@Bloomfield.Edu
Response: I Do not Understand Why Tawana Brawley Did not show up to testify I want to know if their was Miscommunication, I also feel that one of the Black Jurors was weak that it could have been deadlocked on principle.

Name: Calvero
Email: gmann@cwo.com
Response: First I'd like to say this...."Why is that we get up in arms when one of so called leaders sticks his/her foot in their mouths?" When are we going to sit back and ask ourselves what have they TRULY done for us? I mean honestly. Here's a man/men that "claim" to have our "best interest" in mind. But the only time you hear anything from them is when it makes the news and they can capitalize on it in their quest for political office. Man... WAKE UP. I could care less if he got stung from his own venom. You get back what you give --- It's as simple as that. As far as it goes about the case with Brawley... There defendants were found not guilty. Sure there IS two types of justice in America. But if HER OWN defense was weak and should've let/make her take stand. Now all of a sudden WE want to blame the "system." I have not heard of case where the rape victum didn't take the stand.(and win) The ONLY two ways a GOOD defense lawyer stops a victum from taking the stand is 1) IF THE PERSON IS LYING or 2) IF THE CASE IS STRONG ENOUGH TO STAND ON ITS OWN MERIT. Apperently it wasn't so which is it? We need to stop jumping to the defense of these so called leaders without first asking ourselves "What are they leading us into?" MADDOG....There are documented cases of violence in EVERY race. All graphic, all hideous... One race is no more tolerent than the next. It is the INDIVIDUAL that makes it so not the race brother.... comments welcome ....OUTTY

Name: S. Kane
Email:
Response: Is anyone really surprised that the rape of a young black woman in Amerikkka is not recognized, or that there was not daily injection of Ms. Brawley's face, as there was and still is of Jon Benet Ramsey? The fact that the accused would go after Sharpton et al is just normal American procedures...The victim is once again victimized. Par for the course...

Name: Randall Hawkins
Email:
Response: I wonder why Ms. Brawley left Al Sharpton, Alton Maddox and Vernon Mason without any legitimacy by refusing to take the stand? She had 10 years to confront Mr. Pagones in court, but never once did so. It makes all her allegations seem like a big farce. As bad as the U.S. Injustice System is, nevertheless it allows a person to face their accuser in court. Ms. Brawley, through her advisors, made the accusations, but she is a no-show. Now the brothers get left holding the bag.

Name: ckl
Email: longmore@bellsouth.net
Response: It's the same old same old as far as I can see. I am not familiar enough with the details of the case to speak on it at length but, we all know the story about the two shades of justice in this country that oh by the way was built at our expense, so what are we going to do about it? Maybe the next million man march ought to be the million man, + a million women + a plan march. peace.

Name: michael dubose
Email: ofana_naye@hotmail.com
Response: i think that these women should come forward sooner.

Name:
Email: MAADDOG@webtv.net
Response: In the case of O.J., the law resorted to Circumstantial Evidence. This was used in his second trial to convict him!! That same Evidence did not stand-up in his first trial... He was declared innocent. But, in fair-play, let's give Tawana Brawley, the same chance the Whites had! And we will present our Circumstantial Evidence...Let us delve into the character of these "Dubious" Characters. It should be obvious to all of us that Whites are "Chronic Sexual Fiends". The president is continuing to run away from his "Sexcapades." Whites can't make a movie without turning it into "Pornography." The "SOAPS" on TV are filled with this nonsense. It's been reported by white sons that their white mothers won't leave alone, sexually!! Five year old White daughters are being sexually molested by White fathers. One White father beat his daughter unmercifully for denying him Sex...White Priests, all over the world are molesting any race of children, even young "boys." And the catholic church protects these Criminals. I have Recorded Proof of everything I'm presenting here!!! They tried to "save-face" by sueing Rev. Sharpton and his group for $395 Million. A typical move used by desperate criminals. Any white male who will Rape His Own Daughter, will Rape Anyone's Daughter!! This is a Constant Occurrence. White Marauders Roaming America in "Packs", (they're too cowardly to do anything alone!) Searching for anyone to take advantage of...This is the Caliber of Creatures we're dealing with. They're Guilty as "HELL", The Facts Speak Loud and Clear...!!

Name:
Email: lmaddox@worc.mass.edu
Response: Is it really a surprise to anyone that the "injustice" system would provide justice for African-Americans? In this society, African- Americans are seen as victimizers not victims.

Name: nina
Email:
Response: I think that Sharpton and the others should have been found guilty. Pagones (or whatever his name is) was not found guilty of what he was accused of. I am not saying that he did not do it-I am simply saying that he was not found guilty. Sharpton and the others took it upon themselves to defame this man even though they never found any evidence against this man. Sharpton and the others cannot go around committing defamation just because there was an injustice done to a African-American female. He could have handled that situation much better. I hope the ruling teaches him a lesson.

Name: Solomon Landers, Uwohilatlitigv
Email: Numberup@worldnet.att.net
Response: The result is unfortunate. Ms. Brawley's advisors, including Rev. Sharpton, acted in good faith at the time, but it was not proven that Ms. Brawley did so herself. Her story was certainly plausible, but never corroborated. Her advocates were only doing their jobs. This sort of thing which Ms. Brawley alleged was not unheard of, and the strong emotions involved apparently edged out good investigative footwork by her advisors. As I said, unfortunate. Hopefully, this will not cast a pall on further civil rights work by Rev. Sharpton.

Name:
Email: Cmpmad@aol.com
Response: I am not sue whether or not she accually was raped. The judge heard more arguements then I have so I can't say if they were guilty but if the 10 white men didn't do it then they have every right to sue and therefore they should have won. But if Tawana Brawley was raped by them and the judge takes the side of the man accused then there are more then 10 people who are guilty of a crime. If I heard every arguement that judge heard maybe I would rule the same way as the judge.

Name: Frances Murphy
Email: FrankieLou@aol.com
Response: Rev. Sharpton has always been awfully outspoken on many issues but it seems he got caught in the web on this one. He felt he had the facts straight but forgot one thing--- America's justice system does not necessarily hand out justice. Many times it is the color of your skin and how you play the game that determines the outcome. Therefore, people are wise to remember that a person is not guilty until the court say they are--- and in some cases (like in the O.J. Simpson case) even a court verdict does not protect you from harm.

Name: Aaron Walker
Email: r_133@hotmail.com
Response: Its unfortunate that our civil rights people get caught up in this kind of web sometimes. But i hope this does not hinder Rev. Sharpton from speaking out on the issues that involve our community, here in America. We don't have enough Al Sharptons and two many Ward Connellys.

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