Mr. Announcer: “In the ghetto criminal-justice system, the people are represented by members of the newly established Ghetto Science Community Peace Keeping Unit: police officer and part-time security guard at the Funky Ghetto Mall, Dudley ‘Do-Right’ McBride, attorney Cootie McBride of the law firm McBride, Myself and I, and guest rookie peace officers Johnnie ‘Cocran’ and Charlie ‘Charles Houston’ McBride. This is their story.”
Dudley: “Anytime I’m riding in the Law-N-Order SUV with my legendary cousins, Johnnie and Charlie, something is about to happen.”
Johnnie: “When the need gets great, it’s time to activate.”
Charlie: “Johnnie is right. Now is the time for common folk to see the light and stand up for their rights.”
Dudley: “Cousins are talking in lawyer code again. Please translate, Cootie.”
Cootie: “Johnnie and Charlie are responding to the arrest of Freddie Gray and the actions that led to his death in Baltimore.”
Dudley: “I hope their response will not be like those who chose to riot and loot.”
Cootie: “They were very impressed with Maryland State Attorney Marilyn Mosby when she said, ‘I heard your call for ‘no justice, no peace.’ Your peace is sincerely needed as I work to deliver justice …’
Charlie: “Cootie, Johnnie and I plan to advise, inform and instruct our disenfranchised community members about the law and their rights so they won’t get beat or gunned down.”
Johnnie: “We call it the ‘People’s Justice for Peace Empowerment Sessions.’”
Dudley: “Better known as ‘Watch the Police.’”
Doink, doink.
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The Mississippi Free Press produced this story through the MFP Solutions Lab, supported by the Solutions Journalism Network. This series digs into Mississippi’s systemic issues and sheds light on responses to them in other communities. Beyond just reporting on problems, these stories interrogate their causes and inspect potential solutions.