Our biases can be dangerous, even deadly — as we've seen in the cases of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and Eric Garner, in Staten Island, New York. Diversity advocate Vernā Myers looks closely at some of the subconscious attitudes we hold toward out-groups. She makes a plea to all people: Acknowledge your biases. Then move toward, not away from, the groups that make you uncomfortable. In a funny, impassioned, important talk, she shows us how. A group of Ferguson protesters, part of the NAACP-organized “Journey for Justice” march, ran into a vocal counter-protest as they walked from Ferguson to Jefferson City, Missouri. From the Columbia Missourian: About 200 people met the marchers as they reached Rosebud around noon, activists said. A display of fried chicken, a melon and a 40-ounce beer bottle had been placed in the street. A Confederate flag flew. Counter-protestors shouted racial epithets. One of the counter-protesters was a young boy with a sign that said “go home.” Rosebud resident John Sharp told connectmidmissouri.com, “Rosebud is a very strong community. We believe that we should stand behind our law enforcement, stand behind our community and we don’t believe in supporting thugs.” Read more at http://www.eurweb.com/2014/12/racists-greet-ferguson-marchers-with-fried-chicken-melon-40-oz-watch/#D7iUvmYYifL4YTsP.99 Legal Community Morns Death of St. Louis' First African American Presiding Circuit Court Judge12/3/2014 This week, the legal community here mourned the loss of Judge Calvin, who died late Saturday (Nov. 29, 2014) of complications from surgery. He was 63. Judge Calvin’s death came as a shock to friends and family who had watched him bounce back with vigor from an operation earlier in November. In 1978, three years out of St. Louis University law school, Judge Calvin was elected magistrate judge. The following year, magistrates became associate circuit court judges under the nonpartisan court plan. In 1988, Judge Calvin became a circuit judge, and in 1999 he was elected by his colleagues as presiding judge, the first African-American in that position. He retired from the bench in 2008, then worked of counsel to Spencer Fane Britt & Browne, focusing on mediation and arbitration. Former colleagues said Judge Calvin’s time on the bench was marked by fairness and respect. “I think he was a model trial judge,” Circuit Court Judge Michael David said. “I believe people felt they always had a fair shake and he was as close to universally admired and respected and loved as anybody I’ve ever known.” Circuit Judge Jimmie Edwards called Judge Calvin as “an incredible person,” adding, “He was known on this bench as a diplomat. He will be missed.” Judge Calvin is survived by his wife, Vanessa, and sons Michael Jr. and Justin. His funeral will be held Saturday at All Saints Episcopal Church, 2831 North Kingshighway in St. Louis. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with the service to follow. A scholarship is being set up in Judge Calvin’s name at his law school. |
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