Justice For Clinton Allen

Clinton Roebexar Allen belonged to someone. He belonged to us. Contact information: [email protected]

[clintonallen-blog]

Support a DOJ Investigation of the Dallas Police Department

On November 18, 2014, Dallas Communities Organizing for Change (DCOC) submitted a formal complaint to the Department of Justice to more fully investigate police shootings and provide oversight to police investigations in Dallas, given the frequency with which they occur and the Dallas Grand Jury declines to indict them. 

We're asking all of our followers and supporters to sign this petition to pressure Eddie Bernice Johnson, a Congresswoman from Dallas, to more fully exert the powers of her office and influence to request the DOJ to look into this matter. 

We've posted here before how troubling the epidemic of police shootings are in Dallas and they have shown no signs of abatement. And with a national conversation about police brutality finally being had, we feel this is a opportune time for Eddie Bernice Johnson to show Dallas and the watching nation that she is tough on police brutality. 

Please click on the link to find out more about the petition and to sign if you support a DOJ investigation of the Dallas Police Department. 

Thank you all so much. 

[gh-05-t]

[staff]

Normally we don’t get involved with private affairs, but the continued outpouring of grief, praise, remembrance, and love for Robin Williams we’ve seen on Tumblr has been staggering. He gave his gifts selflessly, and was a beacon of sorts to those of us who had a weird time figuring out how our energies and talents fit into the world.

Remember, if you’re struggling, there’s help. We love ya, Tumblr.

And goodbye, Robin. We love you, too. 

[socialismartnature]

Days After Michael Brown’s Death, Ferguson Looks Like a War Zone

 … Monday’s riots didn’t happen in a vacuum. The Los Angeles Times reports that 48 of the department’s 53 officers are white, while 65% of Ferguson is black. Racial profiling statistics from the Missouri Attorney General’s office reveal the community is subject to disproportionate police action on everything from traffic stops and searches to contraband seizures and arrests.

The conflict on Monday wasn’t just about Brown, but also the result of years of racial tension given a sudden shove. Likewise, tweets, videos and images from the scene on the ground demonstrate that the authorities in Ferguson did their part maintaining an atmosphere of mutual hostility.

This video caught by CNN shows a white officer telling Ferguson residents to “bring it, all you fucking animals”:

[clintonallen-blog]

Militarization of America's Police

First it was the war on drugs, then the war on terror and now a war on our own citizens. 

This isn't a movie. This is a terrifying glimpse of what's happening in Ferguson, MO. Why do police officers have rifles based on a military m4 carbine? It's outrageous. Our streets are not a playground for grown men to dress up in commando gear and terrorizing citizens. There is nothing engendering trust or cooperation when the local police look as though they're about to vanquish an Al-Qaeda hideout. 

Read more on this story here. 

[clintonallen-blog]

HELLO WORLD

That was Clinton's favorite saying. :)

It's been a very strong and long minute since we've posted. I'll be honest with you; it's just hard. And we've gotten your messages and your emails - some of you have even found me on Twitter, asking for articles and updates. I know there's a lot to catch up on and I will do the best that I can to begin. 

The execution of Michael Brown in the streets is something that hit so very close to home for us. We know that pain. It's hard to engage, but I feel there's a very important part of the dialogue missing - the human element of how these families are coping with this. The fallout once Michael Brown disappears from timelines. 

I can't speak for Michael's family or Eric Garner's family or John Crawford's family, but I believe they are just like us, Clinton Allen's family, when I say that they will be loved and missed for the rest of their lives. 

Stay tuned. We're working on a piece.

-Chaédria LaBouvier, Clinton Allen's sister

[clintonallen-blog]

It's Been One Year

We know it's been a while and we're sorry that it's taken so long for us to communicate. You know, some days - and months - just suck, are just horrible in this journey of grief and social justice. March doesn't make it any better for us, because as many of you know, Clinton was stolen from us on March 10, 2013.

We've been working on a number of things; Mothers Against Police Brutality, rallies and protests and I've gone back to school and have begun working on my own projects again. But yet, there's something very explicit about personal about coming here, to this page and it at times, can be hard for us to do.

I'm working on a longer piece for Clinton to share with you guys and the larger community as I did this summer when I wrote this piece. It will be up by Monday; it's just hard to write, quite simply. The support that we got from everyone was just overwhelming - and I mean in the best way possible. 

We so appreciate the love, support and solidarity that we have literally been shown from all over the world. We literally could not have done this without you. To our family and our friends - thank you so much. The English language isn't enough to express how deeply we love and appreciate you. 

And please remember Clinton. A little over a year ago, a father, a son, a partner, a brother and friend lost his life because of our American problem of police brutality. We couldn't save Clinton's life, but we've been working and fighting like hell to save a lot of other Black men and the families that love them. 

My brother wasn't a hero, a saint, an athlete or anyone famous. But it doesn't matter. He meant the world to me, to us. Remember Clinton. He belonged to someone; he belonged to all of us.

[clintonallen-blog]

Essays About Clinton

Hello everyone-

We're working on a collection about Clinton Allen's life and his legacy. Please submit! We are asking that people that knew Clinton in his life please submit their stories. 

We've also been extremely lucky to have had a tremendous showing of support from across the country and the world. If you have been touched by Clinton's story and are passionate about ending police brutality, particularly against Black men, please submit your thoughts and writings as well. 

You can send to [email protected]. Thank you so much!

[clintonallen-blog]

Grand Jury Decision in the Murder of Clinton Allen

 The family of Clinton Allen got word on Thursday October 10, 2013 around 3:30pm that afternoon that Clinton's case had been fast tracked. Instead of meeting in several weeks as we had been told by the D.A.'s Chief Office of Integrity, James Bagnall, with a two week's notice, the grand jury would be convening the very next day. The family immediately knew this was a “power play” by District Attorney Craig Watkins. We are very confident that the Grand Jury had been hastily called, at District Attorney Craig Watkins’s behest, in retaliation for The Justice for Clinton Allen protest at his annual tailgate party on October 6, 2013.  Clinton’s mother was confronted by a somewhat inebriated Watkins asking, “Why are you ruining my party? You are ruining my reputation and I take this personal!” 

We had no doubt that Clinton’s case being fast-tracked weeks ahead of schedule was not about justice or the serving the law, but was about fulfilling a personal vendetta. This is an election cycle. 

The family of Clinton Allen and our attorney were present on Friday while the grand jury deliberated on indicting Officer Clark Staller for the murder of Clinton Allen.  While we had hoped for an indictment of this killer, we also understood the history of D.A. Craig Watkins's administration and Dallas’s long and shameful history of not indicting policemen in the murders of unarmed Black and Brown men. Not to our amazement, the grand jury issued a no bill on this case. That’s 97 cases presented to the grand jury on officer involved shootings (or more to date) and ZERO indictments.

 Getting an indictment of Clinton’s killer, Clark Staller, would be an easier path to Justice but certainly NOT THE ONLY PATH. This is where families "drop off". The fight is long and emotionally draining and the D.A.’s office knows this; they  look for tradition to kick in now and for us to go away.  NOT HAPPENING! There is no limitation on murder and we intend to pursue this killer criminally into phase II of our campaign. 

For those of you who in Dallas and that would be inclined to vote for Craig Watkins "because he is Black", remember this - Mr. Watkins' office turns these investigations over squarely to James Bagnall (Chief Officer of Integrity) a man who grew up in Highland Park, is oblivious to the realities of life outside of Highland Park and still is completely ensconced in reckless and oblivious white privilege. For the past 11 years, he and his work have gone unsupervised and unchecked and it continues that way. Bagnall continues to perpetuate Dallas’s 40 year history of failure to indict an officer in the killing of unarmed citizens Bagnall works with the Dallas Police Department, unchecked and he works with the DPD in getting the grand jury to issue "No bills" to officers who kill. Let me remind you that Mr. Watkins, did not send not one person of color to represent Clinton in this grand jury proceeding or to even oversee the grand jury process to insure that integrity was intact.

We can not afford to vote for people simply because they are Black, White, purple or red.

When an elected official such as Dallas's D.A. Craig Watkins shows the community and the families of the victims that he will not demand justice nor use his office to be the force of change for which he was elected, we must make a change - in our elected officials.

The fight endures, the cause lives on and the dream – Justice for Clinton and the countless of men like him  - will never die. This is bigger than Clinton Allen. This is about our sons, our brothers, fathers and fellow citizens in the United States of America. We thank you for your continual support and love and we are still in the fight.

[clintonallen-blog]

Guess Who's Coming to Protest?

Recently, a group of supporters gathered and protested outside of Dallas D.A. Craig Watkins's home. Nothing says "grassroots" more than posters with the photo and the name of the man who you deny justice in YOUR grass! Since he refused to meet with us, we just figured we'd come to him.

                               One supporter, stylishly protesting. 

                                      By any means necessary! 

Crosses with Clinton's name outside of Watkins's gated community.  

We know that we've been a little absent online, but it is because we've been very busy protesting and compiling as much research together in these crucial weeks before Clinton's case goes before the grand jury in Dallas. If you have not already, please sign and share our petition. We are now at 844 signatures and are being heard. It is because of you - thank you for all of your support and love, as always. 

[clintonallen-blog]

Remembering Santos Rodriguez

This weekend in Dallas was a remembrance and celebration of Santos Rodriguez in Pike Park, his favorite park. 

Santos's history intersects with Clinton's on a number of fronts. Santos was 12 years old when on July 24, 1973, he was shot in the head and killed by Dallas cop Darrell Cain after a game of Russian roulette. This year marks the 40th anniversary of his death. 

A number of news outlets have been covering the 40th year milestone of Santos's death but have predictably failed to include another 40 year "anniversary". It was the last time a Dallas cop was indicted for murdering an unarmed citizen. (Case details.) Darrell was convicted of murder with malice and sentenced to 5 years, only 18 months of which he actually served, despite what this article says. Speaking of that article, they mention that in 1970, Darrell Cain killed an 18 year old man. I also learned that Cain killed another man, but have not been able to find anyone who knows his name. I had the opportunity to Peter Johnson, an activist in Dallas with Justice Seekers Texas and he identified the young Cain victim of 1970 as Michael Moorehead. Both he and the unknown victim were Black. Johnson saw Moorehead's body and said that the forensic specialists who were examining the bullet holes stated, "Whoever killed this boy will kill again, because to shoot someone this close and stand over them, the blood and the brain matter is in their face. This is a person who enjoys killing." Four years later, Cain did kill again - Santos - and again shot at close range. And again, in the head. 

40 years later, the death of Santos Rodriguez still hangs heavy. Little Mexico, where Santos lived and died has considered some of the hottest real estate in downtown Dallas. In fact, the gas station where Santos was shot in killed are now luxury apartments. And his mother, Bessie Rodriguez and his brother, David Rodriguez have never forgotten. And Dallas activists have not forgotten either. 

These are photos of the Mayan blessing for Bessie Rodriguez and Santos. 

There were speeches from people that knew Santos and his family and activists that have been on the scene long enough to see all the changes that have - and have not - been made. They all came together to remember Santos and call for the city of Dallas to apologize to Bessie. It is all that she wants. She was not able to sue the city at the time of Santos's death; she was in prison for shooting a man that was physically abusive towards her. In a sad irony, Bessie served a longer prison sentence for a man who tried to kill her than the Darrell Cain who killed her son. 

Our mom stood in solidarity with Bessie and spoke at the celebration. She expressed in her speech she too knew what it felt like to have her young son murdered at the hands of a Dallas cop. "My heart goes out to you, in that horrible, familiar way," Collette told her in her speech. 

Perhaps one of the most beautiful things about the gathering of people for Santos were the number of Black and Brown people that came in solidarity and support. So often, those two communities of color are at ends civically and politically and they shouldn't be. For us, it was especially important to come out in support. Not just because Santos's death should have never happened and other obvious reasons, but because Santos is a part of our community as well. My mother is half Cuban and Clinton and I were both aware of the distinct and similar challenges that face both communities. 

If you are interested in learning more about Santos Rodriguez, here is a good link: Remembering Santos 

If you feel that the city of Dallas the very least owes Bessie Rodriguez a profound apology, please sign this petition in solidarity. 

[clintonallen-blog]

Part I: A History of No Indictment For The Dallas Police Department

Yes, it's true, everything is bigger in Texas and that also includes the problems. And Dallas, Texas has a big, big problem on its hands: the city's and the Dallas Police Department's inability to do anything about the rampant brutality and deaths of Black men at the hands of Dallas police officers.  

According to information provided by an Open Records request, Dallas has seen over 60 Black and Brown men killed, most of them unarmed, by the hands of the Dallas Police Department since 2001. A good portion of them occurred in the last few years, wherein which DPD ("Dallas Police Department") saw a record 43 officer involved shootings: 15 in 2009, 16 in 2010 and 12 in 2011.

 Disproportionately, Black men are the victims of police brutality and excessive uses of force. Why is it that these stories in Dallas go nowhere? Is anyone telling these stories?

Not counting Clinton's tragic death in March, four other Black men, have been killed by the Dallas Police Department. Two weeks ago, a Dallas police officer used his squad car to stop a suspect. Predictably, he was African-American. The 51-year-old man later died after suffering internal injuries from the incident. (The man, Fred Bradford, said that he was run over twice.) You might recall that Clark Staller, the man who murdered Clinton, also ran over a suspect in January of 2011. Given their officers' proclivity for using squad cars as weapons, you would think that the DPD would be far more concerned about rogue behavior that compromises the safety of citizens, particularly that behavior attacks the most. At the very least, you would think there would be the selfish fear of lawsuit looming. 

Not so. Why not? DPD has enjoyed brazen, free run and rein of Dallas with very little by way of action, recourse or consequences. According to an Open Records request, no Dallas police officer has been indicted since 1973. In plain English terms, that means that no Dallas police officer has been charged with a crime in 40 years.

It's not there's a shortage of cases of obvious and egregious overkill and misconduct. An example: Despite shooting Tobias Mackey 9 times, including once in the head (he too was unarmed and was shot in the head after asking, "Why did you shoot me? I didn't do anything!") and shooting an 11 year-old boy in the arm, Mackey's killer, Matthew Tate, was neither released from the force, nor indicted. (Tate did later resign, of his own volition and not that of the Dallas Police Department.) The Mackey family is currently suing the city of Dallas.

Me and Clinton's mother recently filed an Ethics Complaint against Dallas Chief of Police, David Brown, for his failure to report Clinton's shooting and death to the FBI. (you can read it here.)

Why did she do that? Well, the DPD is supposed to report all officer related shootings to the FBI and they have not done so. In fact, email correspondence with the FBI Special Agents assigned to Dallas specifically show no evidence of correspondence regarding Clinton's death. The Dallas Police Department maintains that the correspondence went out on March 10, but we feel that there are two things wrong/suspect with that claim:

1.) March 10th was the day that Clinton was killed. It is rare that police forces, especially one as disorganized as Dallas's, would be able to send the information that quickly, especially on a Sunday. Considering it took detectives from the Department 9 hours to notify us that Clinton was deceased, we highly doubt that Clinton was important enough to the Dallas Police Department for someone to go in on the weekend and make, file and send a report the FBI. 

2.) The Dallas Police Department has refused to provide physical, dated proof of said communication between themselves and the FBI. They instead vaguely state that they did contact the FBI - but refuse to give a date for when the alleged communication occurred. 

This seems ridiculous and completely incredible, that the citizens and judicial system in Dallas, the nation's 9th largest city's is complacent or even aiding in such gross and obvious miscarriages of justice. But yet, with every police shooting of unarmed men, particularly Black men, no matter how many gunshot wounds, the police officers go free - and back to work. They are released back onto the streets of Dallas with their guns, the endorsement of the Dallas Police Department and the confidence in knowing that they probably will never see a grand jury. 

Example: Clark Staller was allowed back onto the streets, in uniform -and his part time job as a security officer at the apartment complex where he killed Clinton - five days later. We had not even buried Clinton yet. 

[clintonallen-blog]

A Noble Fight

Robert F. Kennedy said these words more than 40 years ago but they are as timeless and applicable to these times than ever before:

"It is the numberless diverse acts of courage...Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope...and daring those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance...."

The long and tangled road of social justice, particularly that of police brutality, is hard and lonely road. Social injustice is a buzz word and the work - pounding on pavement for witnesses, facing enormously large and enormously corrupt government entities, continuing your message when the mainstream media refuses to hear - is heartbreakingly, backbreakingly, difficult and thankless. 

But yet, we must continue.

I shared these words to remind everyone, and myself, that any fight for the dignity and humanity of another human being's is indeed a noble and worthwhile cause. I'm not saying it because Clinton belonged to me. I'm saying it because he belonged to all of us, as a citizen of this country and of this world. And Clinton's most basic, Constitutional right - to life - was so grossly violated. And we can never forget that.

As the weeks, months and eventual years pass, please let us not forget Clinton and the other Black and Brown boys, some of their names famous, some of them not, who are deeply missed. 

Do not forget Clinton when the Summer months roll in, like the lake tides that he played in all of his life. He too looked forward to a reprieve from the July and August heat waves.

Do not forget Clinton when the Autumn leaves fall, for they were special to him too; they announced his birthday, September 29th. 

Do not forget Clinton when Winter lulls in, and you put on your Christmas songs; Clinton loved them too and our annual Christmas fig duck. 

And in the doldrums of the cold, do not forget Clinton on the crisp cusp of Spring, for March 10th is only a week-and-a-half from Primavera.

We can not allow the frequency of these acts to deaden the rage that it should light within you, to callous your hearts and compassion where it should soften and enlarge. Do not allow the magnitude of the egregiousness, the wrongness of these assaults on human dignity and life to swell so large that they silence your voice. Do not be intimidated by the finiteness of mortality and give in to the lies of futility; charge towards it instead, knowing that you stand for something much bigger than yourself. 

"Few will have the greatness to bend history itself, but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation...." - RFK

[clintonallen-blog]

One Month and Some Days

This past week has been very difficult for us, me especially. Last week was both the one month anniversary (if you can call it that) that my brother has been gone and last Thursday was National Siblings Day.

Looking at the photos of everyone else's siblings last Thursday was gut-wrenching. I couldn't even cry. I couldn't even stand to look at it all those smiling, happy, alive faces. I stayed under the sheets all day. I just couldn't bear to look at life that day. All I could do was think how horribly unfair it all was. Unfair that I had to visit my beautiful, gorgeous little brother at a cemetery. For the past two years or so, I always text him on National Siblings Day. He would always respond: "That must be some corny shit you picked up somewhere hanging out in New York." He prided himself on being a realest, but was always tickled pink at the little quotes and random holidays I shared with him. I can just see Clinton now, shaking his head, smiling, the gap tooth smile we both shared, beaming. So, instead of texting him, I cried. I cried for the part of me that I wanted to (and still do some days) dig up at Laurel Land Cemetery. 

There are so many people that we have to share Clinton's story with as we seek justice for him. And, you have to learn how to say things that really break you on the inside, that NO ONE should EVER HAVE TO SAY. "Yes, he was unarmed and shot 7 times...yes, he does have children, two twin boys...he was only 25 years old..." My mother and I are learning to say them without falling to pieces. You have to steel yourself to say these things as though these facts are natural, routine, statistical, but they're not. 

But it's a problem that we're USED to hearing these stories. Even if it's not your brother, these things should break everyone's heart. We read about the stories of Trayvon Martin, Kimani Gray and Tobias Mackey and see the violation of their rights on a procedural level. But there's a huge human, emotional element to this that no one tells. The food that spoils in the kitchen because no one is interested in eating it. The showers that take Herculean effort to take. The desperate grab for anything - even dirty laundry - that still smells like them. Dreading the day that you have to explain to Clinton's 16-month-old twins, my unborn children, my brother's one-day grandchildren that he'll never meet - what happened to him. All of these young, dead men leave huge holes in the hearts, histories and family trees of the people left to mourn them. 

But, we continue fighting and sharing because Clinton still belongs to us. Clinton always thought that me and our mom could do anything. Clinton would always ask me, "Why haven't you made a movie yet? All you have to do is write it!" He thought that I could do anything, easily. His mom was his biggest hero and was SO proud of her triumphant battle against breast cancer. We have to make this right for him and for his sons. We believe so strongly that no man should have to fear this kind of violent end to their lives because they're Black. NO.WAY.

There are so many young, unarmed Black men that are killed each day, we forget their names. We forget what they look like. But these men have families, that they are essential to, that love them and miss them everyday. These men are not statistics - they are sons, brothers, fathers - human beings. You can do your small part in fighting for their humanity by remembering that. 

- Clinton's Sister

If you haven't already signed and shared Clinton's petition, please do so here: http://www.change.org/petitions/remove-clark-staller-badge-9514-from-active-duty-until-the-investigation-into-the-death-of-clinton-allen-is-complete

[clintonallen-blog]

Why Does Clark Staller Still Have a Job w/the Dallas Police Department?

Nearly a month after murdering Clinton Allen, an unarmed man who was shot 7 times, Clark Staller, still has a job with the Dallas Police Department. 

Clark Staller by no means keeps the streets of Dallas safe. There are many police officers who protect and serve and for them that do their job  and to those men and women, I say a sincere thank you. 

Clark Staller does not happen to be one of those men. 

Under normal circumstances, Clark Staller would be on suspended leave awaiting a grand jury. But, because Clark Staller hides behind a badge, he is allowed, by Deputy Chief Vernon Hale and Chief of Police, David O. Brown, to be above the law. 

How?

How does allowing Clark Staller, a man with a clear history of not knowing the line between reasonable and excessive force, keep Dallas safer? How can the citizens of Dallas trust the leaders of the Dallas Police Department if they knowingly allow Clark Staller - a man who has murdered an unarmed man by shooting him 6 times, run over a burglary suspect with his squad car and lied about - back on the streets? (think I'm lying about that? check this out: http://tinyurl.com/clarkrunover)

The decision to keep Clark Staller on staff is not only a dangerous decision, but one that reflects poorly on the leaders of the Dallas Police Department. Clark Staller is a man who has attempted to kill, has killed and most certainly will cross that line again - and Vernon Hale and David O. Brown continue to stand and defend him, at the expense of the public's safety. 

Every day that Clark Staller is able to put on a uniform is a day that another life is in danger. And you have Vernon Hale and David O. Brown, the Deputy Chief and Chief of Police, respectively, to thank for that fear.

Further, why did Clark Staller lawyer-up only two days after Clinton's death? That's another blog post though. 

Please sign the petition, if you have not already, to stand in solidtarity, to have Clark Staller, badge number #9514, from active duty within the Dallas Police Department: http://tinyurl.com/clintonpetition

[clintonallen-blog]

On Easter: A Note to Clinton, From His Mother

Dear son, Today is Easter and I am having a rough patch today...missing you. But, because I know what Easter is about, Jesus being resurrected, taking the victory out of death. You should be home from church now, teasing about making sure your dinner is "right" "Mommie, did you make enough green bean casserole, you know, I need a whole one for myself!" I visited your gravesite on yesterday and surprising found comfort in being there; but peace in knowing that it is just a shell, the body I gave birth to, but that beautiful soul God gave you is with him. Rest in Peace darling boy, mommie's "got your back."

I love you endlessly, Mommie

[clintonallen-blog]

Clinton's Petition

In our efforts to pursue justice for Clinton, we've created a petition to remove his killer, Clark Staller, off the streets of Dallas. Each signature sends an email to his boss, Deputy Chief Vernon Hale, his boss's boss, Dallas Chief of Police, David O. Brown, District Attorney Craig Watkins and a host of others. We must take a stand against the discrimination, bigotry and excessive force that senselessly takes lives. We can not allow killers who take lives to hide behind a badge.

If you stand in solidarity, please sign our petition.

Clinton's Petition

[clintonallen-blog]

Clinton's Real Background

There are many news outlets that have characterized Clinton as though he were some menacing thug and that could not be further from the truth. How do I know this? I am his sister and grew up with him.  

Let's be clear. Yes, my brother made some youthful mistakes.  Yes, Clinton had a criminal record, but so do 30% of Americans by the age of 23. Yes, my brother smoked marjiuana. I don't know many 25 year olds that haven't. The only difference is, Clinton got caught and he didn't happen to live in Washington or Colorado. 

Why is it that news outlets are highly interested in Clinton's criminal background and are incredibly quick to report that, but have no interest in his ACTUAL history?

It's because characterizing Clinton as a thug is much easier for lazy journalists. Portraying Clinton as a menacing thug is a much easier fit for a redundant and let's be honest - racist - narrative.

  Clinton's actual history is much less amendable to the "menacing thug" narrative  - and boring. Clinton and I both grew up in the suburbs - Arlington, Texas - and attended our local public schools until we moved to Dallas proper. Clinton grew up in a house on The Golf Club of Dallas, formerly the Oak Cliff Country Club, where his parents were former members. 

In this house:

On the 11th hole:

Despite this, blog comments have outright stated that my mother was a drug addict and that Clinton and I come from a family of violence and public assistance. My mother is a former IBM executive, a U.S. patent holder and just recently finished her courageous fight with breast cancer. My step-father owned a very successful car dealership for many years. Both of Clinton's sisters are college educated and our family includes grandparents who are 3rd and 4th generation ranchers and farmers and uncles who are computer engineers, anesthesiologists and dentists. However, because Clinton is African-American, the assumption automatically is that Clinton comes from a broken, poor, uneducated family. 

We briefly attended Bishop Dunne Catholic School but preferred public school and graduated from David W. Carter High School. After our high school graduations (Clinton in 2005 and me in 2003) we both we went on to college; Clinton to Texas Southern University and me, to Williams College. Shortly before he died, Clinton had decided that he was going back to the farm and ranch - a world he loved and knew best - and would follow his grandfather's footsteps and becoming a rancher. Clinton would've been a 5th generation rancher. 

As someone that was reared with Clinton, the insinuations from news outlets that my brother is a thug are insulting and ridiculous. Because Clinton made youthful mistakes - that were regrettable yes, but at the end of the day, Clinton never robbed, raped, killed or physical hurt anyone. Does having a record mean Clinton's life is worth less? Are we really, as a country, saying that because Clinton had a record that he, defenseless, deserved to be shot 7 times??

A simple Google search will reveal that Clinton had two family violence charges. They both stemmed from intense arguments with girlfriends and at no point were they physically violent - a point that his ex-girlfriend and fiancée, Shauntavia Carson and LaCrystal Stanley, respectively, have emphatically emphasized. The first charge had even been dropped and Ms. Stanley was in the process of dropping the second when Clinton died. Both of these women are mothers and Clinton, having been a close relationship with his mother, his grandmother and both of his sisters, went to jail and took the charge rather than have them as single mothers, face the courts. Both LaCrystal and Shauntavia will attest to this. However, we were told by a journalist at The Dallas Morning News that they were uninterested in including that information. Why? It doesn't sell and it doesn't fit their narrative. It should be noted that this  is also the same journalist who with no toxicology report, tried to gently convince me that Clinton may have been on PCP. 

If that's the dialogue and discourse we're trying to have, that means that nearly 65 MILLION AMERICANS - that's one fourth of our national population - have lives that are diminished and devalued. 

It's tragic that Clinton is being made to campaign for his humanity. It's tragic that Clinton has been added to that long and growing list of young, Black men who have been shot by defenseless - Trayvon Martin, Kimani Gray, Chavis Carter and others who remain nameless due to lack of resources and intimidation. Under NO circumstances did Clinton or any man - Black, White, Brown, Yellow, Blue, whatever - deserve be shot 6 times, UNARMED.