Filed under: Dr. Boyce Money
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It appears that the case of Kelley Williams-Bolar is getting the kind of traction that can make a difference. Since we first wrote about Kelley on AOL Black Voices, the entire nation has taken notice. Change.org and ColorofChange.org have launched petitions that have garnered hundreds of thousands of signatures. Also, the story has gained national attention as a clear example of all that's wrong with the educational system in America.
In case you haven't seen the story,
Kelley Williams-Bolar is the single mother of two who was sent to jail for sending her children to a school outside their district. In addition to being sent to jail, Williams-Bolar would have a felony record and not be able to ever teach again in the state of Ohio.
The rapper P. Diddy took the initiative to send a message out to his 3.2 million Twitter followers.
"MAKE #KELLEYWILLIAMSBOLAR a TT! I want all 3M of yall 2 hit up @johnkasich and tell him Moms shouldnt go to jail for protecting their kids!"
In a related announcement, Ohio Governor John Kasich has offered to investigate Kelley's case.
On his website, the governor had this to say:
"Karen and I work hard to make a better future for our girls so when I first heard about Ms. Kelley Williams-Bolar's case last week it really struck me, as it has many other people. My legal team has been reviewing it in detail and is in the process of talking to her lawyer, the prosecutor and the school district, in order to provide me a complete briefing."
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Diddy Does it Up
Is this the Diddy we have all come to know and love? The year was 1997, and the event is the opening of Sean Comb's now defunct Justin's restaurant. With that baby face and ill-fitting suit, Diddy, then Puff Daddy, looks like a kid who's been playing in his father's closet.
Ron Galella, WireImage
AP
BlackVoices.com
Diddy Does it Up
Is this the Diddy we have all come to know and love? The year was 1997, and the event is the opening of Sean Comb's now defunct Justin's restaurant. With that baby face and ill-fitting suit, Diddy, then Puff Daddy, looks like a kid who's been playing in his father's closet.
Diddy Does it Up
A long-time player in the game called "hip hop mogul," Diddy played tough guy with fellow baller Jay-Z in 2000. They both look a little ashy. Is that a wash cloth is Comb's back pocket? Lord.
Diddy Does it Up
Continuing to try to keep it real, Diddy dated felow middle-class urbanite Jennifer Lopez in 2000. As Lopez rocked her fake Latina gang member do rag, Combs strutted the red carpet pretending to be a princely thug. The curved cap rim gave him away -- no thug would do that! Incidentally, this was around the time Combs and Lopez were arrested for involvement in a shoot out in a nightclub -- thug enough for ya?
Diddy Does it Up
Um. I don't know what to say here, except wrong, wrong, wrong and NEXT!!!! The year 2000 was a very bad year for the artist formerly known as Puffy's style sense.
Diddy Does it Up
Unfortunately, 2001 was also not a very good year. Puff hit the streets in the type of wide-legged baggy pants that should be reserved for a 'Fat Albert' character.
Diddy Does it Up
Always known as a great performer, Diddy took to the stage in 2002 to show the world that he is a devout Mets fan in head-to-toe gear. Still a little childish. Would Diddy's style ever transform?
Diddy Does it Up
Again modeling his look after a member of the 'Fat Albert' cast, poor Puff hit Fashion Week dressed like the bass player in the Junkyard Band in an over-sized Kangol hat. He was at a 2001 Jean-Paul Gaultier fashion show people!!!! SHM. But I can't talk. I would get an all-white suit immediately dirty.
Diddy Does it Up
Then, BAM! In 2003, Diddy made the change from fashion misfit to trendsetter. He filled out a little bit, and took to the runway of his own fashion show to take a bow in a well-cut suit. It's a little shiny, and the sleeves are short, but he looks good!
Diddy Does it Up
Continuing on a winning streak, Puff hit the 2003 MTV Movie Awards red carpet in a very mature linen suit, while sporting the super-dark sunglasses that he has worn since the beginning of his career. Most Scorpios love to cover the eyes which they say are the window to the soul. Or maybe they help block the paparazzi's glare.
Diddy Does it Up
In 2003, Diddy wore casual outifts without having to pull off a "thug" costume, as in earlier years. After the papes come, you can be effortlessly yourself. There go those shades again.
Diddy Does it Up
I can't put into words how proud I am of Diddy. By taking a stand for a single mother under attack by the system, he is taking the lead on showing the amazing power of the hip-hop community when it comes to fighting for real change in America. It is my hope that in addition to speaking up on behalf of Kelley Williams-Bolar, young artists and their older managers will start to help the hip-hop music industry reclaim its rightful place among the great beacons of black American activism. The racial inequality which exists within the prison, educational and economic systems in America gives artists a whole lot of places to channel their talent and energy.
In terms of what else is happening on the ground, Rev. Al Sharpton and I are planning a town hall meeting and rally in Akron, Ohio tentatively scheduled for February 9. My goal is not to simply make sure that Kelley is taken care of, but to work hard for the millions of other mothers and fathers across America who are being held hostage by an inadequate educational system. Having allies like Diddy and others speaking up on for these causes is critical, and utilizing all black voices across America is important as well. We change the world if we are not afraid to try.
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Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and a Scholarship in Action Resident of the Institute for Black Public Policy. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.
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Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and a Scholarship in Action Resident of the Institute for Black Public Policy. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.