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Training on Domestic Violence and Trauma in Family Court Saves Lives

(Names have been changed to protect the surviving children associated with this case.) “I can be shrill and unlikeable, but it’s because I am panicked for my sons,” Tracey, a survivor of domestic violence, wrote to me two years ago while she was fighting to protect her children from a man whom she believed was…

Can Women Date While Pregnant? A Group of Single Parents Responds

“Why can’t you date while you are pregnant?” My friend Robert asked, cocking his head to the side curiously. “You have clearly lost your mind,” I responded, laughing and nearly spilling my coffee in the process. Just a month before meeting with Robert for coffee, I ended a serious relationship. Robert wondered when I would start dating…

Do Black Lives Really Matter In Seattle Public Schools?

Last week, Seattle teachers participated in Black Lives Matter at School Week where many of the teachers wore Black Lives Matter t-shirts and taught lessons about black history as part of a national week of action. While I can appreciate the sentiment of this gesture, I question how willing Seattle schools are to do the…

I Am Writing a Book!

THE SITUATION: Seven years ago, I met a psychopath. That psychopath presented a story about himself that was a complete lie – from his profession, to his family, to even his birth name. By the time I learned that he was the suspect in the murder of two people (his own mother Alma Collins…

The Impact Statement

Yesterday, my son’s father was sentenced to life without parole in the Commonwealth of Virginia for the capital murder of my son Prince. It has been almost five years since my son was murdered, and I have had to endure a justice system that is designed to give the criminal every opportunity to defend –…

Indiana Parents Arrested For Encouraging Toddler To Put Gun In Mouth

A couple of days ago, I saw one of the most disturbing videos I have ever seen come across my Facebook newsfeed. The video was of a one year old Toddler who was being instructed to put a gun in his mouth and say “pow”, by his 22-year old mother Toni Wilson and…

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…