Pubdate: Sat, 13 May 2006 Source: Tampa Tribune (FL) Section: Print only, Pg 13, Nation/World Copyright: 2006 The Tribune Co. Contact: http://www.tbo.com/news/opinion/submissionform.htm Website: http://www.tampatrib.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/446 Author: H. David Braswell Jr. CAN'T DO TIME? DON'T DO CRIME Regarding "Lack Of Black Judges Causes Concern" (front page, May 6): Something simply must be done to remedy the situation involving black defendants repeatedly being brought before a Caucasian judge and potentially not getting a "fair shake." The question is, what exactly is it we must do? I spent many seconds pondering this dilemma and I came up with what I think is a relatively simple solution. If black men stop using or selling drugs, committing robberies or murders or assaults or rapes or home invasions or carjackings, failing to pay child support, driving under the influence, etc., then the "problem" will resolve itself. Certainly Caucasian, Hispanic, Native American and Asian men engage in virtually all of these same lawless offenses, but the outcry here is over the fact that black men are being dragged before a Caucasian judge after having done so. I have been living in Tampa for more than seven years now and I have yet to be faced with the prospect of being treated unfairly by a non- black judge. I lived in Los Angeles for 15 years and never stood before a Caucasian judge there, either. In fact, the only time I ever stood before a criminal court judge of any ethnic group was in New York as a foolhardy 17-year-old after having committed a serious crime. I got a break - by the way, the judge was Caucasian - and I've never set foot in a courtroom other than for a minor traffic ticket since that day. It's clear to me (I'm black, in case you're wondering - well, actually, I'm golden, brown) that if you don't break the law, you'll rarely, if ever, need to concern yourself with who's presiding over cases in the criminal courts. It's quite tragic to me that so many black men are effectively relinquishing control of their own destinies by engaging in lawless behavior and then raising a hue and cry about the injustice of not having their fate placed in the hands of a "brother" - a black jurist who they foolishly believe will identify with them. Don't do the crime if you can't do the time. The writer is a software consultant living in Tampa. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman