Hera McLeod

Passing: A Bi-Racial Perspective On Racial Inequality In America

In the past few years, it seems like topic of race has gotten to a boiling point many times. Particularly, it seems, as it relates to the American Justice System. When Trayvon Martin was gunned down in February of 2012, I sat in horror as his killer walked free under the baffling and absurd…

Why Nobody Wins After Ferguson

I remember exactly where I was, and how I felt, on October 3, 1995. I was a freshman in High School. That afternoon, me and several of my classmates piled into the basement of my dormitory (I went to Board School) and anxiously awaited the verdict in the OJ Simpson murder trial.…

Bill Cosby: When Justice Catches Up With A Celebrity

Indulge me while I bring you back to one average evening in the McLeod household circa 1985. Actually, I can say with relative confidence that it was February 6, 1985. I was four years old, and I had an epic meltdown that night. Many of you are probably shocked that I can remember…

Things My Children Have Taught Me

Just over a year ago, I gave birth to my daughter. Those of you who follow my page regularly also know that just over two years ago, my son Prince was murdered. While this blog is certainly not a Mommy blog, this week I would like to take some time to reflect on what…

False Pretenses And The Dangers Of Online Dating

This past Monday, Luc was charged with another felony – False Pretenses. While this charge was related to falsifying information on the life insurance application he took out on my son, I couldn’t help but think that Luc’s entire life has really been based on many False Pretenses. In the interest of full disclosure, I must…

I Blamed The Victim, Too – Until I Became One

“Mother Teresa would never marry Saddam Hussein.” These words were spoken to a friend of mine in reference to me after the death of my 15-month-old son, Prince McLeod Rams , during a panel discussion on family court. Four years ago, I would have believed the same thing. Since then, I have learned…

Honoring Another Survival Date

Two years ago, on October 21st 2012, I held my son in my arms as his heart stopped beating. Just a few days ago, I sat in a Prince William County Courthouse and saw my son’s killer for the first time in nearly two years. Many people expected that I would get some sort…

How To Stay Sane In Family Court

In a perfect world, two people who have a child together would stay together forever living happily ever after with their children. In a next to perfect world, couples who divorced would both me mentally healthy people, who were both great parents, and they could work out a perfect schedule where the children would have…

Choose Love Over Hate

“Behold, children are a gift of the LORD; The fruit of the womb is a reward.” – Psalm 127:3 Almost a year ago, my daughter was born. I fell in love with her from the moment I knew she existed. Every time I saw her on the sonogram (usually in the middle of her…

Saving Forgiveness For The Forgivable

Early this week, I read an article about a woman who forgave her rapist in open court. To give you some quick background on this story, Jane Piper was raped and beaten in the back seat of her car 11 years ago. For 11 years, she had been mulling over some choice words…