Top Ten Misperceptions and Miscalculations relating to the Paris Texas Story
Categories: African-American, Education
Written By: Shawn Williams
I have had a chance to speak to a number of residents in Paris, Texas regarding the fallout from the sentencing of a 14 year-old student invovled in shoving a hall monitor at school. The story has taken on a life of its own on the internet, television, and here in Dallas it became more widely known as a result of the Rickey Smiley Morning Show on Friday. I thought I'd take a moment to go over a few of my own opinions regarding some of the events surrounding the protests, the accusations, and overall perceptions of the residents of Paris.
Many of you who read this blog know that Paris Texas is my hometown.
10. Paris Independent School District underestimated some in Black Community
The Paris Schools have been accused of racism and bias in a number of specific incidents over the past three or four years. Many of the claims were frivolous and involved problem children whose parents were trying to get over for them.
However there were some disciplinary actions taken against black students that were inappropriate, perpetuated by teachers and administrators that I have known and respected. The district thought that by reassigning those involved the problems, and complaints, would go away. They did not account for the resolve of the parties involved, and hence had no long term strategy. Had the district had better follow through, and protected the students as they did the administrators, they may have been able to avoid some of the backlash.
9. The Paris Schools sent the 14 year-old to jail
The 58 year-old hall monitor who was shoved in the incident that has gained national attention, was actually the party who pressed criminal charges against the 14 year-old. The district has not made a (public) recommendation in the case to my knowledge.
8. M.F. is an appropriate word to use at a protest
There have been a number of entities that have come into Paris to protest the schools and the courts. There has been lots of finger pointing and name-calling including one unfortunate episode at the school administration building that was brought to my attention. Some of the protestors -mostly from out of town- were using what one witness referred to as "the most profane language that you would ever want to hear." Our children should be seeing examples of how to behave when you think a wrong has occured, not emotional outburst and profanity ladened tirades.
7. The African-American community in Paris is without representation
To listen to some of the accounts, you would think black folks in the town sit on their porch and wait for white people to tell them where to go and when to leave. The African-American is ably represented in city government, and by a strong church community.
Carolyn Lockett and former Paris Mayor George Fisher currently serve as trustees on the Paris School Board. And Mary Ann Fisher Reed serves on the city council as mayor pro tem and Kevin Gray sits on the council as well.
6. Any African-American who disagrees with the protest, who testified in the case, or who works for the school system is a "sellout"
This has become such and easy default these days, calling somebody a "sellout."
Now there pictures of teachers and administrators in Paris, people like Michael Johnson, Marva Joe, Robert High, and Althea Dixon, that refer to them as Uncle Toms, Sellout Negroes, and Token Weapons of Mass Destruction. Even if someone were to find fault with either one of them, this particular tactic is tired and unimaginative. Mr. High and Mrs. Joe alone have been involved in proactive efforts in the community longer than most of those analyzing this situation have even been alive.
5. The City and School is Faultless
As is the case 99% of the time, Anglo parties wonder where all of these problems are coming from for a city where whites and black get along so well. And I admit white and black do get along O.K. and it's not because black folks roll over. But the majority (for now) in this country has to understand that even though "it wasn't their fault," they are still the beneficiaries 250 years of slavery, and 100 years of Jim Crow Semi-Slavery.
My mother was in the last graduating class of the Black High School in Paris - 1966. This same school system that provided her and her peers with old, worn, written in textbooks is the same system that is charged with educating the grandchildren and great-grand children or those former Gibbons High students. The products the segregated Paris schools are still in leadership, and their children and grandchildren benefit from it whether they know it or not. This is not unique to Paris, Texas.
4. Paris Texas = Backwoods, USA
It's easy to believe that in a town of 26,000 people in northeast Texas everyone walks around barefoot toting ice down a dirt road from the general store, but that's not the case. In Paris, Texas, many African-Americans and their families are afforded a higher standard of living due to three entities: Campbell's Soup, Kimberly-Clark, and Paris Junior College. Many residents have worked for 20, 30, 35 years at these factories earning the a higher income the most Americans that don't have a college degree.
Case in point; when I went off to college at Texas A&M, I was shocked and amazed to see that the custodial staff was made up entirely (in 1992) of African-Americans. I had never seen black people working these positions in these types of numbers because most of the people I knew with at least a high school diploma had a good job working at one of the plants. There is also a high percentage of black residents in Paris who own their own homes.
Also, a lot of graduates are able to get some college hours under their belt with the presense of a two-year college in town. The nursing program at Paris Junior College opens up the medical field to many students without having to leave the comforts of home.
3. You are receiving accurate information
The more the story of Paris Texas makes its way around the internet, radio, and television, the more the realities are being distorted. MANY, MANY, MANY, people are reluctant to tell their side of the story because it involves a minor, and out of respect to her they are being silent. Their silence is being mistaken for weakness and the squeakiest wheel gets the oil. A lot of people are getting caught up in something they know nothing about, and are fighting for a short-term solution without a single thought of a long-term plan.
2. Preachers in Paris are sitting on the sideline while and innocent party is persecuted
I was SICKENED on Friday as I listened to the Rickey Smiley Morning Show at how the Black Ministers in Paris were portrayed. These men (mostly men, but that's another blog) have been going out to the schools, walking the halls almost daily to make sure that our children are they doing what they are supposed to be doing. And then to have them called out across the airwaves without response or reply was way beyond wrong.
Ask yourself; what might be the reason that the clergy or black leaders have not gotten directly involved with the principles of this protest? I had to ask myself; why Shawn has everyone that you know and respect in this town, everyone that you admired as a young man not aligned themselves with the principle organization? Why are so many people from out of town being called when so many smart and active people live right there in town? Hopefully the preachers from Dallas and other towns will call the black ministers in Paris and get their accoount of what's happening before joining or leading protests in the town.
1. The 14 year-old was sentenced to 7 years in prison
I can say that I thought this was the punishment handed out by Judge "Chuck" Superville, however I have since found out that the sentence he handed out was one (1) to seven (7) year, and was eligible for release after one year for behavior parameters. And this was juvenile court, not adult court. Still seems like a stiff sentence, though other options were considered.
Post written in memory of fallen Dallas police officer, Senior Cpl. Mark T. Nix
March 26th, 2007 at 9:37 am
Thank you for trying to set the story straight. I listened to Rickey Friday morning and was outraged. But I did research over the weekend, and found a completely different set of circumstances than presented by the young girl’s mother. Hopefully, before this madness continues, people will stop and listen to the FACTS of this case, not the mother’s headline-grabbing noise.
March 27th, 2007 at 12:25 pm
Shawn,
Thank you for giving us your perspective on this story.
March 27th, 2007 at 10:19 pm
Shawn, Your comments are interesting and thought provoking but they still do not negate the fact that what happened to Shaquanda Cotton is an outrage. Paris, Tx. was my hometown in the past as well. So I am familiar with and share SOME of your sentiments. But regardless, what happened to Shaquanda Cotton was, is, and will always be WRONG.
March 28th, 2007 at 8:26 am
There is always the idea that we as an outside spectator of the case may not know the whole story (that is a given). But the things we do know about the case are an outrage. I don’t understand how you can justify the treatment of Shaquanda in this case! Your comments about your precious town of Paris,TX are all well and good, but it’s still not a proper justification! For you to try and justify and blow off the racism in this case is part of the reason things like this continue to be allowed to happen! How would you feel if it was your child,sister or friend…I am sure your opinion would be different…or maybe not! The simple fact is she is a child who shoved a hall monitor and has been in prison and will continue to be in prison 1 to 7 yrs. (as you put it)! Maybe she was white and burned down a house or was white and ran over a grandmother and grandchild…she would have only gotten PROBATION! No matter how try to spin it its wrong and its racist!
March 28th, 2007 at 10:05 am
howdy,
I appreciate your willingness to look at the facts, and not get caught up in the emotions.
thanks
rem ‘77
March 29th, 2007 at 10:12 pm
Thank you, Shawn. It’s wonderful to see someone review this case objectively.
I first began responding to this story because I felt compelled to defend the community that I love. After that, I became obsessed with trying to provide the facts of the case to so many people who have such a deficit of information (or a deficit of objectivity).
Emotionally, without knowing the facts of the case, one’s first reaction is “How can someone receive that sentence for a shove?”.
The facts are:
1. Ms. Cotton admittedly shoved a teacher’s aide, who is a state employee.
2. She was tried in court and convicted (not the proper legal term, since she is a minor) of assault of a public servant, which is a third degree felony.
3. Her defense asked the judge to determine her sentence (as opposed to letting the jury make a recommendation).
4. Judge Superville’s offer was two years of informal probation, which means she would certain conditions to meet, but would be in the custody of her mother, and after successful completion of the requirements of her probation, the charge would not become a part of her permanent record.
5. Her mother, Creola Cotton, stated in court that she nor her daughter would adhere to any of the conditions of probation that Judge Superville offered.
6. At that point his choices were to place her on probation (after her mother had already stated that she would not follow the requirements), or send her to TYC for an indeterminate sentence not to exceed her 21st birthday.
7. That sentence is the precise sentence that roughly 90% of the youthful offenders in the state receive when they are sent to TYC.
8. Once at TYC, the only entity with the authority to grant her release is TYC (I believe that the governor may be able to, but I have not confirmed that).
9. Her release is based on her successful completion of the TYC rehabilitation program.
10. She would have already been released if she has successfully completed her rehabilitation program, but TYC officials have stated that Ms. Cotton has not even gotten to stage one of the process because she will not admit that what she did was wrong (even though she stated in court and on her blog that she pushed the teacher’s aide).
11. She was also found guilty of having contraband in her room. While I admit that having an extra pair of socks is a silly offense, it is an offense nonetheless. Rules are rules, and when you are in a state facility because you have committed a crime, you are expected to follow all of the rules (even if they seem silly on the first examination).
If you need someone official to report the story, I recommend going to dryerbuzz.com and listening to the Shaquanda Cotton story Part 3 in which Allan Hubbard, spokesperson for the DA’s office, granted an hour-long interview.
March 31st, 2007 at 2:25 am
Hmmmm…as for the anonymous’ #3, didn’t I read here that the juvnenile code PROHIBITS a jury from sentencing, and that the judge would have to do it anyway?
As for #4&5, I also read here that the trial transcript shows that probation was NEVER offered, and that Ms. Cotton answered “Yes” to every question about taking responsibility for her daughter….
Rules are rules, yes, but an extra pair of socks is a necessity for good hygine, I would imagine in a place like that.
PS: Alan Hubbard should be fired. He calls the protesters “screaming activists” and calls a Paris organisation “Anti-white” on the DA website. This guy is representing the DA’s office and is not speaking as a private citizen. The Trib has already caught him in several uhhh, “misstatements”
April 2nd, 2007 at 12:13 am
#3… Reading that on a blog doesn’t make it fact. Fact is the girl’s defense asked the judge to sentence, and yes, they waived their RIGHT to have a jury sentence.
#4 and 5 … Probation was offered. Backtracking on earlier statements that the mother refused is troubling. The statements now read that she refused through her refusal to cooperate.
The sock incident appears to be a myth, according to TYC officials.
PS: Stating that Alan Hubbard should be fired only shows that you are ignorant of his body of work, and admirable work on this case. Stating that the protestors were “screaming activists” is a factual statement. They were activists, and they were screaming. The CCFRE (the Paris organization you refer to) is considered by many to be a fringe, racist group. There’s a reason that of the roughly 6000 blacks in Paris, less than 100 members are in the group. There’s a reason why they do not have the support of the local NAACP, ministers, and business leaders.
Speaking of misstatements, the Chicago Tribune has been the biggest joke in this whole ordeal. Our paper confronted Witt on his article due to the fact that he didn’t verify statements that were critical to his original article. His response was that he wasn’t obligated to. How’s that for ethical journalism?
April 2nd, 2007 at 12:24 am
Addendum:
From Howard Witt’s Chicago Tribune article from 3-31:
“Young said his office offered to give Cotton two years’ probation in exchange for a guilty plea to a misdemeanor. Cotton’s mother denied an offer was ever made. The girl’s trial attorney, Wesley Newell, confirmed Young’s offer of probation but he declined to say why it was not accepted”.
So to summarize, the DA offered probation and the defense attorney confirmed that probation was offered. Creola Cotton is a liar.
April 2nd, 2007 at 12:27 am
Sorry… that was Terri Langford’s article, not Howard Witt’s. My mistake.
April 2nd, 2007 at 12:27 am
And it was the Houston Chronicle, not the Chicago Tribune.
April 20th, 2007 at 8:05 am
I am at a lost as too what you may have straightened out. I think that the information you have trotted out is interesting, but I am am not sure if you are defending this situation or not. The appointment or election to office does not necessarily make you a power player in any government. I am appalled at the sentence of 1-7years for such an offense. I wonder how many times that scenario has played out in Paris schools that a monor has disrespected, shoved, or cursed a hall monitor and recieved such a punishment. I wonder how often hall monitors take such matters to court. I cannot help but wonder if there may not have less disruptive ways to handle such a minor incident, school counseling staff, social services. If the mothers lack of cooperation with the court systems was so aggregrious, then that is the real problem here. I guess what you need to coinsider is that any time a Black American is involved in the justice system, the cards are stacked against them. I believe that this child has no business being in the system for such an infraction, and I fear that Black Americans such as you may suffer from Stockholm syndrome. This is on of our kids, I have raised two, and we have to stand by, behind, and for our kids. I am afraid that we are losing a generation
May 10th, 2007 at 5:27 pm
Although maybe a little late,I want to respond to some of the things on this site. Re: #9. The school filed the complaint, not Cleda Brownfield. I have absolute proof of that.Re: #8 There was no M.F. words or profanity laden tirades used by any of the speakers at the protest in front of the administration buillding. Re: #7 The African American community IS without representation. Just because you have an African American in a position does not mean they represent the African American community. Mary Fisher has proudly stated over and over that she has never experienced any racism in Paris. Kevin Gray has publicly stated that there is no racism in Paris. You will not be able to come up with any complaint or statement by any of these people to indicate they have any desire to deal with any issue regarding racism. You will find the opposite. They would rather attack the slave than confront the slave master. Re: 6 Sellout, Uncle Tom,…unimaginative? Maybe. Truth? Yes. Its also unimaginative for the few black people who are given small positions with any type of authority to not only pretend they see no racism but to go so far as to support and assist racism. Marva Joe recently sent a letter to an official in Dallas attacking him for supporting the protest. She stated that we were just like the man that killed the people at Virginia Tech. I don't know Marva Joe personally and she doesn't know me but for her to say something like that simply because we complain about racism is bizarre and ignorant. Re:#3. The only way to receive accurate information is to go directly to ALL sources involved. The Paris News was not involved but that seems to be the source of most of the local false propoganda. I know none of these people have attempted to talk to me or our organization. To claim that the school and the D.A. are reluctant to speak because it involves a juvenile is untrue. Although they refused to talk to Howard Witt when he first tried to talk to them, they broke laws to discuss it after it got national attention. They did not care about FERPA or anything else in their effort to attack the child and her mother. The preachers of Paris, at least most of them, DID and ARE sitting on the sidelines. We were meeting with local ministers and then all of a sudden the school called to meet with them and suddenly our meetings end and they report that they have gone to walk the halls and saw no racism. It was good strategy on the part of PISD. But anyone claiming racism has ended is a liar. I also want to clear up one false propoganda put out by the D.A. Gary Young. PROBATION WAS NOT OFFERED. The court transcript verifies that. Paris evidently is Backwoods USA. Owning a home or working in a plant does not open your mind. Peaceful protests are an exercise of your constitutional rights. People in Paris behaved as if it was a sin. They were shocked and horrified. The ShaQuanda Cotton story is about attacking a mother and an organizaton for filing civil rights complaints. End Of Story.