#JusticeforRasheed: Update

 “To be a Negro in this country and to be relatively conscious is to be in a rage almost all the time.” -James Baldwin

This quote resonates with me so deeply as I write this, with Solange’s A Seat at the Table playing in the background. I truly feel what Baldwin was saying down to my core, because every day I see something happening to black people so outraging, one wonders how anyone could merely sit back and be calm in the face of such inhumanity. I know my family in Kentucky are living and breathing, Baldwin’s quote.

If you read my last post, by now you know that my cousin Rasheed Wickliffe was murdered a little over a year ago. His case has been nothing short of an uphill battle for my family. The first trial was to take place June 22, 2016 and after four continuations, my family was sure that on the new trial date, February 22, 2017, they might start to finally start to see justice be served.

Unfortunately, the day prior to the trial start day Judge Seay called another stay in the trial due to evidence obtained that could amount to a confession from Alexander Roberts. Roberts, was released from jail due to a lowered bond from “good behavior”, so that he could spend Christmas with his family. During his time home, he allegedly broke his curfew, which the Judge decided to dismiss, and also made comments to a female friend alluding to the fact that if she’s into murderers she can have him, though he hasn’t killed any n****rs lately. This is the information that the prosecution feels would incriminate Roberts.

        After hearing, all this new information and considering James Baldwin’s quote, how could anyone not be filled with complete and utter rage. Coupled with the rage, how could anyone not begin to feel helpless or powerless…as if its completely out of your control. At this point the complete incompetence of the Nelson County Judicial System, and Judge Seay are not even the most enraging part about this case. The most enraging part is that not only has Alexander taken our brother, son, cousin, uncle, nephew, friend away from us; he took him and he couldn’t care less. Sure, I can’t speak for him and I don’t know what’s going on in his mind, but I do know that if he were acting in self-defense as he says, and if he were a decent human being he wouldn’t be making reckless comments on the streets to his friends and he would feel remorse.

I would like to leave off with  Mad by Solange ft. Lil Wayne, where in it she says “I’ve got a right to be mad!” I truly believe that my family has a right to be mad. Mad at the system, Mad at Judge Seay, Mad at Alexander Roberts. Hopefully we get mad enough to become inspired, to move mountains and finally get #JusticeforRasheed.