shaquanda cotton case at forefront of texas juvenile investigations
the support for shaquanda cotton in the last few weeks has been overwhelming. in fact, the story has triggered massive articles in thousands of blogs across the world and has highlighted the problems within the texas youth commission that has been plagued with corruption for years.
ybpguide received an email from howard witt, the journalist who wrote the original chicago tribune article, tipping us off that a new story about the state’s juvenile system would be published in tuesday morning’s chicago tribune and that shaquanda’s case will soon be reviewed by a special panel. here is the original email (links are paraphrased).
Greetings. I know you have blogged about the Shaquanda Cotton case so I wanted to call your attention to a significant new development in the case, which is contained in a story that is now available on the front-page of chicagotribune.com and will be published on the front page of the paper on Tuesday. Essentially this story says that Shaquanda’s sentence will soon be reviewed by a special state panel with an eye toward possibly freeing her.
I have also written an article about the huge response to this story in the blogging world that you may be interested in referencing.
In case you can’t find the new stories easily, here are links directly to them: here and here.
Regards,
Howard Witt
Southwest Bureau Chief
Chicago Tribune
Houston, TX
the first article highlights that the texas juvenile system, often known as the texas youth commission, has been a corrupt system entrapping young people for years. in addition to numerous felony and misdemeanor charges as well as sexual abuse associated to the staff, a minor becomes trapped when a judge in their case lays down an ‘indeterminate sentence’ for their crime, such as what happend with shaquanda cotton. this same staff has the authority to determine how long that sentence will be and can use their power to manipulate the juveniles. since shaquanda’s case has been so high profile, mr. witt highlighted that she remains in juvenile detention because of a contraband violation administered by the staff. what was the violation? she had an extra pair of socks.
some of our commenters mentioned that ’shaquanda should just admit she was wrong’. this has also been a contingent for shaquanda’s release, but what those aligning with this sentiment fail to realize is that doing so would completely undermine her appeals. these appeals are her only legal way of getting out of the system. this entrapment philosophy in addition to the sexual abuse claims are why the commission and all of its cases are being investigated.
of particular interest to me in mr. witt’s second article, a personal letter, was his quote:
I had no idea, for example, of the extent of the African-American blogging world out there and its collective powers of dissemination. But now, after reading thousands of anguished, thoughtful comments posted on these blogs reflecting on issues of persistent racial discrimination in the nation’s schools and courtrooms, what’s clear to me is that there’s a new, “virtual” civil rights movement out there on the Internet that can reach more people in a few hours than all the protest marches, sit-ins and boycotts of the 1950s and 60s put together.
what a statement!
thank you to all who found our story, mr. witt’s story, and all of the other stories out there and contacted shaquanda, governor rick perry, and their friends and family to show the world how powerful our community, especially those who read the young black professional guide, really is.
Big ups! 
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Comment by Garry I. Bevel on 27 March 2007:
I am so proud of YBP Guide for the efforts to contribute to change. It’s inspiring!!!!!
Comment by PDW on 28 March 2007:
People, something needs to be done about this. We have to look at the bigger picture. If this is allowed to happen in Paris, TX. It will start to happen in other cities across Texas and the United States rapidly. This young lady needs to be freed. The punishment does not fit the crime. Don’t blame the parents people please. Shaquanda Cotton, God will take care of you. Keep your head up, Pray and look to God when you’re down. Don’t give up. Satin wants you to give up. God has you. Always remember that. God Loves You And So Do I. PDW
Pingback by Reflections of a Tomboy Turned Princess on 28 March 2007:
[...] TX journalist made about the overwhelming amount of internet opinions and commentaries about the Shaquanda Cotton case. How patronizing and condescending- so much that I can’t even get mad, just laugh and shout [...]
Comment by Kimberly Michelle on 28 March 2007:
Here’s the link to the news coverage of the protest march led by Ricky Smiley yesterday in Paris, TX. http://cbs11tv.com/video/?id=17029@ktvt.dayport.com&cid=7
Comment by Pennye Hobbs on 28 March 2007:
Shaquanda, you don’t deserve this. My prayer is that you stay strong and keep the faith. Remember that the race is not given to the quick or swift, but to the one who endureth to the end. God will never leave you or forsake you…if he bring you to it; he will surely bring you through it. Keep the faith!
Comment by smokeyblack on 29 March 2007:
I am deepley sorry, but my prayers are with you and your family GOD will see you through this.
Comment by im_just_cryss on 29 March 2007:
The real question begs to be answered, and I have read different opinions on this from several other sites…..why wasn’t she allowed to just GO INTO THE SCHOOL? It was before classes even started. Why was this aide keeping this child from entering the building to get to class, and why wasn’t this brought up at the hearing????????
Comment by Nekposis on 30 March 2007:
Shaquanda, you represent the black children not only your country but the whole world. African children are praying for you. What they did to you cannot happen in present day Africa. Stay strong for GOD loves you. Africans welcome you to live in Africa.
Comment by Daria Williams on 30 March 2007:
I HOPE THAT JUDGE BURNS IN HELL
Comment by Fredric on 30 March 2007:
She will be set free. Article here.
Comment by David McQueen on 30 March 2007:
I am wondering if we would care as much if she was a white girl?
Comment by Villager on 30 March 2007:
Hotep!
Power to the people. Shaquanda is free!
peace,
Villager
Pingback by ebonymommy.com » Blog Archive on 30 March 2007:
[...] in Texas- the unjust jailing of a 14 year old girl named Shaquanda Cotton. Several talented and committed writers of blogs I enjoy have spoken on her unjust treatment and promoted a campaign to right this [...]
Pingback by YBP Guide — weekly roundup: 3/31 on 1 April 2007:
[...] shaquanda cotton case at forefront of texas juvenile investigations [...]
Pingback by YBP Guide — power to the people on 1 April 2007:
[...] more investigation was done. shaquanda cotton case at forefront of texas juvenile investigations [...]
Comment by Robinson on 1 April 2007:
My prayer for you Shaquanda is for you to really know who freed you, it was the Lord who freed you and it’s the Lord who will keep you free just put your faith and trust in him, You had alot of people praying for you and writing letters and signing petitions and making phone calls but more important than any of that was prayer, stay stronge my sister.
Comment by WILBER ROBERSON on 2 April 2007:
GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU I AM PRAYING FOR YOU . JUST PUT YOUR TRUST IN GOD HE WILL KEEP YOU.
Comment by Ace Rich on 4 April 2007:
In reference to what David McQueen wrote…It wouldn’t matter if she was black or white, the whole deal was it was a BIG MISUNDERSTANDING and honeslty if she was white,it would’ve never even went as far as jail, OR COURT! And u know that! But I mean wit a name as Shaquanda Cotton,she was destined to be SOMETHING,GOD HAS HIS HANDS on that child and she may not know,but she has just been inducted into BLACK HISTORY!!!!!
CONGRATULATIONS MS. COTTON!
Comment by David McQueen on 9 April 2007:
Hi Ace Rich, thanks for your response on this. My question was would those who were as passionate about this case, acted on it because it was a juvenile or just because she was a black girl.
I am glad that she was freed if she was incarcerated in error, but am also conscious as to how silent the same said voices will be in addressing the bigger issues of child incarceration.
Comment by Doodee on 2 February 2008:
Thanks for sharing