Elana Levin

Letter to the Editor of the Week

Sometimes you open up the paper and there's a letter to the editor that you wish you could add your name to. So consider this letter in my former hometown paper double signed. Stacey Gurian Sherman, Director of Juvenile Justice Family Advocacy Initiative and Resources in Silver Spring Maryland- -- I salute you!

From the Washington Post
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Two articles that appeared in the Metro section on Oct. 31, "Chronic Troubles at Youth Jails Haunt Campaign," about Maryland's shameful juvenile justice system, and "Black Democrats Cross Party Lines to Back Steele for U.S. Senate," about the defection of African American Democrats in Prince George's County, show again that people of color are terribly overrepresented in jails but woefully underrepresented in statewide office.

The five Prince George's leaders who endorsed Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele are not only dismissing distinguished candidates such as Del. Anthony G. Brown, who is running for lieutenant governor, but are also ignoring the overwhelming diversity of Democrats in the General Assembly and local offices.

Moreover, they are excusing the worsening travesty in juvenile justice under Mr. Steele and Juvenile Services Secretary Kenneth C. Montague Jr., both of whom are African American. Where is their outrage at the disproportionate number of African American youths denied their civil and constitutional rights when they are subjected to appalling services and horrific abuse?

Leaders in both parties need to be honest and vocal about the subtle forms of racism that cause too many people of color to be incarcerated and too few to be elected.

STACEY GURIAN-SHERMAN
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Posted at 3:40 PM, Nov 03, 2006 in Letter To The Editor of the Week
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