14 Year Old Sentenced to 7 Years for Pushing

March 23, 2007 by theo.johnson
Filed under: Blog Entries, Community, Legal, Society & Culture

I received this article a couple of days ago from Darrell who writes the music reviews for theojohnson.net (thanks bro). After reading it, I had to take a little time to calm down and regain my thoughts. Shaquanda Cotton, a 15-year-old girl in Paris, Texas was sentenced to seven years to prison for allegedly pushing a teacher. She’s been in prison a year and will not be out until she is 21.

To some in Paris, sinister past is back (Full Article)

This is not about getting special treatment for someone of color. This is not about a little girl getting in trouble and not wanting to take responsibility for her actions. This is about an unfair justice system, in a small Texas community, that sentenced a 14 year old girl to prison for pushing. All I want for Shaquanda is for her to be out of prison and offered a fair trial. Seven years in prison for pushing is ridiculous. Especially when that same judge sentenced a 14-year old white girl convicted of arson to probation. Even as a sit here and type this up, I’m still in disbelief over what happened. On 97.9 a local Dallas radio station, they were asking everyone to call the Governor’s Office to express your disgust in the matter. I’ve provided the information below for you to call.

Governor’s Office Phone: (512) 463-1782
Governor’s Main Switchboard: (512) 463-2000
Governor’s Website: http://www.governor.state.tx.us
Contact the Governor: http://www.governor.state.tx.us/contact
[office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST]

I called and was forwarded a couple of times, but it took less than five minutes for me to get someone. All you do is say “I am calling to express my concern/disgust with the Shaquanda Cotton incident in Paris, Texas”. They will know exactly what you are talking about. The operator is keeping a tally of how many people are calling. Let’s clog those phone lines with calls!

97.9 was also able to get her mom on the phone. She told them the correctional facility was giving her medicine for depression. According to her mom, the medicine made her worse and led to her attempting suicide. On Tuesday morning, 97.9 will be going to Paris, Texas to broadcast live and have a peaceful, organized demonstration. They’re in need of church buses to transport people to Paris from Dallas for the protest. Big ups to Rickey Smiley and the Morning Team.

Shaquanda needs your support. If you would like to send her a letter or card to lift her spirit, mail it to:

Shaquanda Cotton – 1125308
Ron Jackson Correctional Complex
Unit 2 Dorm 4
P.O. Box 872
Brownwood, TX 76804

If you are a blogger or podcaster, I ask that you mention this article on your site. Racism is still alive and it’s going to take everyone as a collective unit to show them we won’t stand for it. If you do not live in Texas, I still urge you to call. Let the officials in Texas know where you live and tell them you are upset over what’s happened. There’s stuff like this happening all over the country and it’s time to expose it and put an end to it. I’ll keep you all up to date on what transpires.

Leave comments or call the voicemail hotline. I want to know what you think. I’ll also be talking about this on my podcast scheduled for this coming Sunday.

Update: She has a blog at http://freeshaquandacotton.blogspot.com where you can show your support.