I Am Black, Mom!

This book is a narrative of events that have taken place from the time my son joined the army in the fall of 2003 to his incarceration in military prison. “I am black, Mom!” is the answer my son gave me when I asked him what had gone wrong at his court marshal. I have told the story based on information I gathered from my son, his lawyer, court transcripts and various government personnel and peace organizations. I am hoping it will be of value to financially challenged families who might see the military as the only way to find a job. I have attempted to shed some light on our nation’s most productive and ever burgeoning industries, namely defense and prison. While we crusade for democracy overseas, who is crusading for the diminishing middle-class at home? On June 22, 2005, my beloved son was sentenced to 13 months in military prison at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Two requests for clemency were denied, and he has been warned that it will be at least a year before he can appeal his case. His first clemency request with the Fort Stewart Commander General was expectedly denied and his second clemency request to the Fort Sill brass was also denied in early January. It is obvious the military wants him to serve the full sentence. As a mother of two black sons, I am compelled to tell his story if only to alert and spare some family the pain we are experiencing.