Tag: Lateefah Simon

Compassion of Our Hearts

On November 23, 2016

In Criminal Justice, Humanity, Justice Reform, Politics and Elections

Compassion of Our Hearts

I love Thanksgiving. I try to live my life in a spirit of gratitude. I really appreciate that we dedicate time in our lives every year to be thankful for our blessings. I am so thankful for my life. I have lived a miracle and “He didn’t have to do it. It could have been me outdoors or in jail,” and I know it. I often remember to be thankful that I am not living on a hill in Haiti. Current events make me thankful that I am not living under a building in Aleppo, Syria.

thankful-for This year I am most thankful for forgiveness, for friends who “prayed me through” a very challenging transitional year, for new love and for something called s-a-b-b-a-t-i-c-a-l which I did “my way.”

Compassion in Our Lives

We all can be especially thankful for the compassion in our lives. As I look around, I am surrounded by friends who show compassion every day. I am so thankful for my sister Tonsa who takes really good care of my Mom, Mildred. My foster sisters Gina, Rendi and Virgie took great care of my foster mother Alice. They kept her for more than a decade, long after Mama could no longer speak or move. My cousin Bonita was the solid rock of compassion for my Aunt Eleanore and Uncle John.

It warms my heart to have so many friends who have done the same for their loved ones. My friend Hope dedicated her life to taking care of her parents, Lela and Ivan. Since Lela passed, Hope continues to shower compassion on Ivan. My friend Torrey showed compassion to her mother Mary for years, long after Mary forgot who Torrey was. Torrey said “she thinks I am just a nice lady who comes to visit her.”

The compassion that my friends demonstrated for their loved ones is so inspiring. Fania and Angela‘s gentleness with their mother Sallie B. was phenomenal. It has been my privilege to watch daughters like Dianne, Faye and Deborah take care of their mothers, Frances, Imogene and Irene. My friend Shirley‘s steadfast commitment to her Dad, Pops, before he died was comforting to us when Shirley suddenly passed away.

Compassion Knows No Lines

Compassion is not limited by gender. My cousin Shawn‘s commitment to his mother, Sharon, was unwavering as she battled breast cancer. How well Antwon cared for his Mother in her last days is one of the most endearing stories about him. It was my privilege to watch my friend Marshall act with total commitment to his Mother in her final years. My friends, Darryl, Douglas and Duane each showed the same compassion for their mothers in their illnesses when they needed it most. These are truly men of honor.

My friend Charles continues to honor his mother by taking care of his aunts. Bishop Macklin‘s concern for his ailing mother touches the heart of every member of our congregation. My godbrother Jay stepped up right away when my foster Mom Amy fell ill and needed 24-hour care. Jay and his wife continue to be there for Amy every day.

Compassion In Action

In law, it is often hard to remember that a law firm is a business. “Beating the drum for justice” is hard work and expensive. It is very hard to accept that we can not help everybody. But, it was compassion that moved me to help clients like John Bumphus and Abner Morgan, Deanna Freitag and Tonsa B. What I received in return for that “help” has been life-changing courage and compassion. It was compassion that led me to step off my sabbatical and go to Stuart Florida to rescue Jasmine from jail and bring her home.

In this season, I am reading “Just Mercy” by Bryan Stevenson. The painful truths of our broken justice system grieve the heart. Our criminal justice system is truly an instrument of evil. Our lack of compassion for children tried as adults and condemned to life in prison is appalling. The failure of compassion for women who ended up in abusive relationships and then prison is beyond frustrating. Our willingness to accept the death penalty regardless of a person’s guilt or innocence is profoundly disturbing. As Bishop Desmond Tutu pointed out, it’s “as if America’s soul has been put on trial.” Bryan Stevenson‘s compassionate heart is a light of hope for all of us.

In Bay Area politics, we have a rising star in Lateefah Simon. We are all so proud of her. Her life’s work is rooted in compassion. I know that her “popularity” is rooted in compassion. Many people came to know her because of her love for Kevin Weston. The battle she and Kevin fought to save his life touched all of our hearts. Our compassion for this brilliant young couple flooded Facebook. Out of compassion for them, our spirits soared. Our hearts were opened. We were united in community by compassion.

The Greatest Gift of All

As you experience this Thanksgiving, regardless of your circumstances, try to remember that the greatest gift of all is love. “So faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (I Corinthians 13:13.) I really appreciate the people in my life and our world who show compassion for others. As I move forward in my life, I pledge to more consistently practice “random acts of kindness.” Remember that your greatest legacy may be how you showed compassion for someone else.

thanksgiving

San Leandro Talk Voter Guide

By pypriceesq

On October 19, 2016

In Politics and Elections

sltalk Every election, Margarita Lacabe, my friend and colleague on the Alameda County Democratic Party Central Committee (acdems.org) publishes a Voter Guide. Her goal is to identify the most progressive candidates running for office in Alameda County. Marga does a fabulous job researching credentials, evaluating questionnaires and answers on important issues, and interviewing the candidates whenever possible. This election, Marga has produced two extensive Voter Guides. One Voter Guide talks about the candidates throughout the Bay (not just San Leandro). The other Voter Guide looks at our many state propositions. This week, I am honored to feature Marga as my first guest blogger. Check out Marga’s Voter Guide with her views and news on candidates in Alameda County in the November 2016 Election.

Highlights from the Progressive Voter Guide

Marga’s thoughtful Voter Guide includes dozens of candidates from Berkeley to Pleasanton. In the hotly contested District 7 Bart Board race, she plainly states “Don’t vote for incumbent Zakhari Mallett.” Marga concludes (rightfully so) that she would “probably vote for [Lateefah] Simon as she’s the most viable candidate against Mallett.” Marga’s dead on right about this race. Lateefah is a dynamic and effective community advocate, MacArthur Genius Award recipient, Bart “speedracer” and an inspiring leader in our community. I have supported Lateefah since she became the first non-lawyer to serve as Executive Director of the San Francisco Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights.

In the Castro Valley Sanitary District Board, Marga recommends John Maher. She describes John as a super progressive retired union worker who serves with us on the ACDCC. She points out that while John may not have the expertise of the incumbent board members, “there is something to be said about having good, decent human beings in positions of power.” Something to be said indeed.

Local School Board Races

In the Hayward School Board race, Marga correctly points out that the “Hayward School Board is a big mess.” There is a slate with candidates Daniel Goldstein, Robert Carlson and Todd E. Davis. Of the three, Todd Davis is the only one to get Marga’s approval. Todd is the son of longtime Hayward community activists, Freddie and Al Davis, and has worked tirelessly with young people in Hayward and beyond. I know that Todd is thoughtful, diligent and patient.

Full Disclosure: Todd Davis worked on my successful campaign for a seat on the ACDCC.

In the Oakland School Board race, Marga supports Mike Hutchinson and Chris Jackson. Marga describes Mike as “an extremely knowledgeable and committed education activist who has become a rally force behind the anti-charter school forces in Oakland. He knows the school district better than Board members, has gone to every single School Board meeting and has fought to keep public schools open. Mike is also a strong progressive, who understands how a society can be broken by providing substandard education to the disadvantaged.” It sounds like we should elect Mike Hutchinson.

Full Disclosure: I served for several years with Mike’s brother, Daniel Hutchinson, on the Board of Directors for the San Francisco Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights.

Marga strongly endorses Chris Jackson. She labels him “a young African-American version of Bernie Sanders.” Marga spent hours talking to him and concluded that Chris Jackson is “a man with a clear vision and political astuteness who can really make a difference.”

Hotly Contested City Council Races

Everywhere you look, there are “hotly contested” City Council races. Marga covers them all. In Oakland, Marga says “if you heed just one of my recommendations . . . this year, vote for [Noni] Sessions. Marga describes Noni Sessions as “a strong progressive, who registered as a Democrat to vote for Bernie Sanders,” and “will be a true champion for social justice and human rights in the Council . . .” According to Marga, Noni grew up in West Oakland and was recruited by other neighborhood activists to run because they felt that the incumbent Lynette Gibson McElhaney was not responsive to their needs.

Finally, in San Leandro, Marga highlights newcomer Bryan Azevedo. “He’s a sheet metal worker, from a humble background, who understands first hand the importance of having a livable wage and affordable housing. Bryan is extremely green, both new to the practice and concept of politics, but he’s a good guy at heart and he seems willing to learn and listen.” Bryan sounds like a good guy to have on the San Leandro City Council.

Check out all of Marga’s recommendations and musings at San Leandro Talk. Check out her reviews of the State propositions as well. Please be sure to send Marga a “thank you” for all of her hard work!