Published: May 15, 2009
Shooting Suspect Gets Degree,
Victim Gets No Justice
Frank Rashad Johnson, a bright young man who worked hard in school to fulfill his dream. A dream that has been a major part of a family tradition for two previous generations. The dream Johnson pursued was to obtain a college degree from Morehouse University. Unfortunately the dream came to an abrupt end at a school related Halloween party where Johnson was shot three times by another Morehouse student.
The Atlantic Journal reported prior to the shooting Joshua Brandon Norris was removed from the night club due to disruptive behavior. Norris had words with Johnson after bumping into him outside the club, then shot the fellow unarmed Morehouse student during a struggle in the street.
In this case the shadow of “Old Southern Justice†cast it cold upon Morehouse University. Morehouse administrators didn't expel suspect Joshua Brandon Norris from the university which in normal circumstances is policy at most schools. Instead Norris pleaded no contest to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and was told by a good old southern judge he would be placed on six years probation and if he stays out of trouble his record would be wiped clean. The judge added as part of his probation would include completing his education at Morehouse University, which he has completed. In a few days Norris will receive a degree from one of the most prestigious African American Universities. Johnson received “Old Southern Justice,†which many African Americans have received due to unbalanced economic equality.
In a letter to alumni, Morehouse President Robert M. Franklin (class of 1975) issued the following statement:
"We are grateful for the concern expressed by Morehouse Men about a recent Atlanta Journal-Constitution news story regarding a shooting involving a current and a former Morehouse student. The events described are, to say the least, unsettling and run completely counter to our values and our mission of preparing Morehouse Men to become socially conscious leaders. Furthermore, these events tarnish the Morehouse name and all that it represents. Let me be clear: We do not intend to lower the College's standards to accommodate anyone whose behavior is unbecoming of a Man of Morehouse.
I want the alumni community to rest assured that the safety of our students is of paramount importance and we take seriously the issue of violence in our community at large and particularly in our College community. As I said at my April 21st town hall meeting, 'Morehouse will be a campus of peace and justice. We will be a violence-free zone.' No institution that nurtured, developed, inspired and graduated a Martin Luther King Jr. can aspire to any less.
Finally, while we are limited by privacy law from disclosing more specific information about this or any other student conduct matter, please know that incidents of inappropriate student behavior that are brought to the attention of the College, whether on or off campus, are reviewed and processed under the Student Conduct Code and judiciary system, both of which are being reviewed and strengthened to ensure a climate of safety and civility in the College community."
This incident will not tarnish the legacy of Morehouse University due to the beloved leaders it has educated in the past and will produce in the future. However we can't ignore as African Americans being the victims of White privilege since landing on the shores of America. The issue of unequal justice in America and especially in the State of Georgia has been an on going struggle. Look at the case of Genarlow Wilson who has been sent to prison for 10 years for having consensual oral sex with a white girl? What about black on black crime and the criminal justice system's light punishment and casual approach to enforcement? We need to look within ourselves and address these issues in our interactions with each other? Moreover we need to think about our approaching Judges in circumstances of black on black crime, asking favors for a suspect charged with a serious crime against another African American using our economic or legal privilege? In these situations it seems we condone White privilege and give homage to their injustice against us? This issue of unequal justice on black on black crimes is certainly discussed among disadvantaged African Americans.
In the movie the “Good Sonâ€, the mother reached out to save the good one. In Morehouse's case they reached for the other one. Perhaps an Ivy League school or another prestigious black college will reach out to Frank Johnson?
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