The Verdict: Is it a Race Matter?

After hearing the verdict in the Casey Anthony case, most people took to Facebook and Twitter to express their frustration over the outcome. From numerous posts and updates, people all across the country were outraged by the verdict. Evidence, fairness, justice system, jurors, race-yes; even race- were reasons behind the frustration of Anthony being acquitted of all but four misdemeanor charges. Every reason except the latter seems to be appropriate concerns to the outcome. Race a ludicrous claim. Simply put, people were saying Casey Anthony got off because she was white. There seems to be a lack of significance to this claim especially since people were juxtaposing her crime to the 2007 Michael Vick dog fighting case. It is one thing to say that Casey Anthony is the modern day OJ Simpson case, but we are not going to touch that. If one is set in comparing this to the Michael Vick case, may I suggest you remember he plead guilty and accepted a plea. If anything, the fact that the jury consisted of seven women and five men from different backgrounds and family makeup was the significant factor to the verdict. If that fails to make sense, neither does saying it is because she was white.

It is easy to sit around and recall every case where African American or Caucasian men or women were found guilty or innocent in similar or even less heinous crimes such as: Estelle Walker (African American) who was sentenced in 2010 to admittingly starving her four children in 2006 (the children survived);Nicole Redhead (Caucasian) sentenced 12 years for suffocating her 2-year old daughter or the infamous Huntsville, AL murder trial of Heather McGill who was acquitted of killing her three children in 1998. In these cases, is it sincerely plausible to think a jury deliberates based on skin color?The fact that race is ever present in our society holds true because there are times when race is motive i.e. hate crimes. What needs to be dismissed, however, is African Americans finding it necessary to drudge up any reason to pull the race card. There are a lot of black and white issues in our society, but the Casey Anthony case is not one of those-guilty or innocent. The acquittal did not come because she is white, the defense simply played the game the way it is supposed to be played and that was in Casey Anthony's favor.

Written by: TerashaNicole

Casey Anthony is NOT a Killer...

Casey Anthony was acquitted of first degree murder and other serious charges against her on July 5, 2011; but she will be sentenced on four misdemeanor counts (up to a year jail time per count) for providing false information to law enforcement during the investigation. While everyone has their opinion about the case, can these opinions present evidence needed to convict? It was the prosecution's obligation to prove Anthony guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Everyone points to the jurors, but why? To seek the death penalty, the prosecution needed to provide concrete and unquestionable evidence in their case against Anthony, and left to the jurors- the evidence was not there.

In closing arguments, the prosecution presented a strong and feasible scenario as to how and why Casey Anthony is the guilty, but I can tell you about the fountain of youth all day if I can’t take you there- would you believe me?

So what happens now? Is the case open? Do they attempt to arrest someone else? Will the evidence be sealed off in a room with Jon Benet Ramsay, Nicole Simpson and Natalie Holloway? In any case, if Casey Anthony truly is innocent or guilty, she at least owes it to her daughter to confess who the killer is and the true crime that was committed against 2-year old Caylee in 2008. Another "If I Did It" perhaps? It is easy to fault the jury for the verdict rendered, but ask yourself did Casey Anthony really win?

Written by:TerashaNicole

Photo: cfnews13.com

What started back in 2001 to celebrate African Americans in the entertainment industry, has seemed to turn into a showcase for hip hop music and all that has gone wrong with music as we know it. The 2011 BET Awards aired June 26, 2011; and while one can yield to say it was all bad, you cannot bring yourself to say it was all good either. Some of the highlights of the show included: the host, Kevin Hart, and all of his funny anecdotes; the Walter Hawkins Tribute praise break; Patti Labelle’s Lifetime Achievement Award, the BET Music Matters snippets where they showcased up and coming artists such as Mali Music and KimberlyNichole; and Marsha Ambrosious. Clearly, the evening was not entirely wasted.

However, when will BET ask these artists to keep their clothes on, play more of the music that we have never heard that were in some of the categories (i.e. .Best Female Rap- besides Nicki, who were they?) or get a new audio tech (because clearly after 10 years that same person has failed to get it right). These may seem minute, but they made a big difference in the quality of the show. We get it BET. Lil Wayne, Rick Ross and DJ Khaled had a plethora of collaborations this year. Where were other artists that were actually nominated such as: Miguel (stuck on the pre-show), Keri Hilson (presenting), and J. Cole (who has had a silent but powerful come up)? Most importantly, where were the awards? It seemed to be mostly about the music, but there were other categories that we have been able to see presented over the past few years that were not mentioned this year. Best Actor and Actress went to Idris Elba and Taraji P. Henson, Best Movie went to For Colored Girls Only and the Centric Award went to Marsha Ambrosious. Maybe we missed these mentions in the time they were showing commercials for the new sitcom or in anticipation of Beyonce’s “live” telecast from Greenland. Oh, and congratulation to Tiffany Green for becoming the new Antoine Dodson-enjoy your fifteen minutes and a trending topic.

Perhaps some people just care too much about the other aspects of black entertainment other than music or that BET has had ten years to make sure this show runs a lot smoother that it did. Be that as it may, with good intentions, it is another year under the belt for the BET Awards; and we anticipate what is to come in the next year of black entertainment. Ready for some new faces with fresh and real talent!

Written by: TerashaNicole
Photo:globalfusionsproductions.com