Even with all of the swastikas and shanks, my coworkers and I are still surprised by this crock of a juvenile system our kids are caught in.  Whenever I get shocked over these stories the old heads at my job shoot me one of those classic looks seasoned folk have in their arsenal that says: that poor child don’t know shit about life yet.

I have one co-worker who likes to drop way too many motherfuckers in our conversations for me to repeat what he says verbatim, but he has this theory that if all the “niggas and Latinos” (his words not mine) didn’t budge for 90 days, the U.S. economy would really crumble because one of it’s biggest moneymakers, the prison system, wouldn’t have much clientele. Of course, beneath my co-worker’s colloquial slang is the idea that the justice system functions, and prospers, mostly because the poor and uneducated are the first to get trapped within the system. The poor and the uneducated are the easiest to profit from (see: Soulja Boy pre Gucci Bandana).

With that in mind, I have yet to make it through the entire trailer for the latest indie flick to hit select theaters. American Violet stems from experiences that are very real and effect my disposition to the point where I am physically uncomfortable.  It’s rare that a trailer gives me a headache. Fortunately for Alfre Woodard, who co-stars in the film, along with newcomer Nicole Beharie, I’m willing to sit through a few dozen head throbs. I refuse to spend money on the latest overly acted Beyonce flick and Idris’ fine self  before I see this film.

A short synopsis if you can’t catch the trailer: American Violent is based on the true story of a 24-year-old black woman from a small town in Texas who was falsely accused of dealing drugs by her district attorney (who’s still in office!). The DA collaborated with the local police and terrorized predominately poor black neighborhoods while profiting from coerced plea bargains. This crooked task force did it’s dirt in 2000 when, gasp, Texas Governor George Dubyah Bush was running for president. Y’all sure we need Texas? 

In crowds that care, American Violet has sparked a conversation that should have started a long time ago. This country’s failed justice system is contributing to dis-ease in black and brown communities that would make any sane person critical of its flaws. The same words people use to describe bank bailouts and the mortgage crisis – ridiculous, wasteful, dumb – are the same terms that can be used to describe how this country makes money off it’s shady justice system. The worse part of it all: it’s all happening right in front of us.

My current shining example of how the juvenile justice system is failing involves a 16 year old kid who frequents the center. He snatched a soda out of some one’s hand and threw the drink on that person. He was charged with robbery and assault. 

*The word “violent” in the headline of this post is not a typo. 

Tags: American Violet, Beyonce, George W Bush, Justice System, Juvenile Delinquents, LA County, Texas, U.S. Prisons