“We Don’t Protect Each Other”

Superstar Rapper TakeOff was killed during an altercation at a dice game.  Kanye West lost over $500,000,000 in a few days by the stroke of a pen. Kylie Irvin was suspended by the Brooklyn Nets and called “unfit to be associated” with the team. A young lady on vacation in Cabo with her “friends” was severely beaten and recorded by those “friends.”


One thing that I noticed during all of those events was the lack of a collective black voice  going to bat, defending, supporting or simply lending compassion to those harmed. Simply put, we have to do better protecting each other.


The killing of Rapper TakeOff is the easiest example of us not protecting each other.  Add to him, Young Dolph, Nipsey Hussle, Biggie, Tupac, Malcom X, and the countless others being killed, disrespected and destroyed either by us, or while we sit back quietly and let it happen.  


I am tired of this form of victimization and everyday I try to do something about it.  If you have been in my court over the last 11 years you know how I break my back to give second chances, allow others to be heard and give lessons from my court room.  Above all, I show compassion. 


But I am only one person.  We need so much more.


We need a council of successful African Americans who are willing to put their money, reputation and comfort on the line to stand up for us, especially when we are right.  We also need you to get involved in protecting our people:

• While shopping, treat everyone around you with respect. Stop fighting, confronting or embarrassing your people working in the store or risking their employment.
• While at a school, don’t go to your child’s school acting a fool, fighting and arguing, and if you witness unfairness being perpetrated on another child, get involved.
• While in your home, treat your family with love and respect. Family is the first line of protection. If you don’t protect your family no one will.
• When you see another African American being jumped on in the arena of public opinion, seek a way to understand and support them and let them know they are not alone. At the very least don’t be the one calling them names and demeaning them.

Another way that I am going to further support our people is by starting “The Judge Dawson School of Transformation” through the East Cleveland Municipal Court.  It’s formally known as “being on probation.” This new program, and the team I am forming, will focus on empowering people who have made mistakes while letting them know that they are Cycle Breakers. Instead of being on probation, people who make mistakes in my court will be assigned to one of my “Empowerment Officers” (formally Probation Officers) and entered in “The School of Transformation” until they gain the skills necessary to transform their lives and behavior.  That’s what “protecting each other” looks like for me.  Now its your turn, what can you do to better protect your people and then all people?
​