The case has drawn a firestorm of controversy, being featured on Anderson Cooper 360 last week, as well as many other national media outlets. I am especially supportive of Michael's bold move, because he announced on the air that he is planning to support the rally that I called for on November 16 in Kennett, Missouri, the belly of the beast of racism. Given that Rush Limbaugh grew up less than 100 miles away, I've had to be seriously concerned about the safety of those coming to town.
I was especially touched by Michael Baisden's move because I was hurting over the Ellis family's financial pain. In their quest to save their daughter, the family has borrowed money that they didn't have, and tried almost everything in their power to get help. For two and a half years, their calls for help fell on deaf ears, with the exclusion of local leaders such as Rev. Jessie Bonner of the NAACP and Rev. Dwight Montgomery of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. When I reached out to try to help the Ellis family, I could sense the frustration in their voices, and I could immediately tell that although local members of organizations were getting involved, their case was not getting appropriate attention from the state and national leadership of these groups.
As we discussed today on CNN, one of the challenges of African American families when confronted by the justice system is that black people do not always have the financial resources to fight the cases put before them. Therefore, thousands of citizens are sent to prison regularly or sign false plea agreements simply because they cannot afford to fight the charges. Justice should not be a commodity only available to the rich. Without the support of Michael Baisden and others who have given to the Ellis family legal defense, this case may have been one decided by the team with the largest bank account.
When I saw that Heather's case was being ignored, that is when my assistant Shauntay and I went on the prowl. Heather is the daughter of a pastor, has no criminal record and is on her way to medical school. When I looked at Heather, I saw my own sister, another pastor's daughter who went to medical school. I didn't know how much we could do for Heather, but I figured that I'd try my best. Dr. Wilmer Leon has also stepped up to the plate, aggressively pursuing justice on this issue on his Sirius/XM Satellite Radio show, along with Elliot Millner in DC and Christopher Metzler at Georgetown University.
Well, fate worked out in our favor, as we were able to get Heather's story onto CNN, and many other national media outlets. At that point, the leaders who seemed to forget about her case suddenly remembered who she was all over again. Michael Baisden's move was the most brilliant I've seen thus far, and for that reason, he will always have my respect.
Our rally for Heather Ellis is being held on November 16 at 11 am in Kennett, MO. Buses are coming in from all over the country, and we can show you how to organize a bus for the trip if you want us to do so. It is critical that we present a show of force to let prosecutor Stephen Sokoloff know that we cannot allow a deranged justice system destroy a young woman's future over a disagreement in a checkout line. Some things are simply ridiculous.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Professor at Syracuse University and founder of the Your Black World Coalition. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here. 
Comments: (16)
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By: retusaf on 11/03/2009 12:07PM
I'm sure Michael Baisden's generous offer is much appreciated at this difficult time for the family. However, I'm surprised at the lack of accountability from this young woman and her family to take responsibility for her behavior, which leads directly to police involvement and her arrest. While everyone has a breaking point I’m troubled that one of our promising youth did not "choose" to simply walk away in peace once confronted with the perceived aggression by the cashier and customers?? It can be argued that her youth was likely the cause, but she is the daughter of a Pastor. One can reasonably conclude that she was spiritually aware and scripturally knowledgably enough to know that it is better to live and leave in peace. Wal-Mart and the police are accountable for their actions BUT no good can come from this if Heather is unwilling to acknowledge her role and the poor choices she made that led her to this...our entire community suffers by her silence from this perspective.
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By: monique on 11/03/2009 12:26PM
Yes, you're right. Getting angry at Walmart means you should go to prison. Why don't we all think like you? Perhaps then, we could all have the benefit of still being in slavery.
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By: Vass Road on 11/03/2009 1:44PM
15 years in prison makes sense to you. Then, thanks you for the insight.
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By: PBR on 11/03/2009 1:16PM
This is wonderful news. "Other" people have done much less and received a mere tap on the wrist. Plus, she wasn't in the wrong when the whole thing started. Somebody owes her an apology. As for the charges---absolutely ridiculous.
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By: C-los on 11/16/2009 10:21AM
She was in the wrong...she cut in line and disrespected the others who actually know how to behave.
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By: retusaf on 11/03/2009 1:42PM
To Monique.
Allow me to clarify: I never stated or otherwise implied that Heather should not "get angry" as you point out...rather, my comments center on what she did with that anger (words and action). The article implies we should view her as a "woman of God", victimized by a racist community (Wal-Mart and the Police). There is validity to that claim, but her response to the situation doesn't match her credentials??....child of a Pastor, college-educated??...our community needs to see some "integrity" concerning her actions. She lost control and completely overshadowed the original offense of being accused of cutting the line ahead of other patrons. Otherwise, we continue to give ourselves over (willingly) to a slave mentality.
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By: meeka on 11/10/2009 2:48PM
I understand your point but can not agree with it whole heartedly. No matter what her credentials are she is still human and to be blatantly taunted and disrespected calls for retaliation. all Americans have the right to protect themselves. she is woman and she could have felt threatend by the police and employees of wal-mart that were taunting her and calling her names. she had the right to defend herself. i know that there is always 3 sides to a story but a charge that could carry a 15 year sentence is harsh for someone who has never been arrested before. i live in a city riddled with violence mostly black on black murder and often time they don't get 15yrs..8-10 come on this is excessive by all means.
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By: retusaf on 11/03/2009 2:15PM
To Vass Road:
Its unlikely Heather would ever receive such a sentence (if any at all). Additionally, I will point out she was offered a plea bargain which she turned down and mistakenly thought was the end of this incident.
Clearly Heather committed some offensive acts or words. Otherwise, she and her family would sue both Wal-Mart AND the Police Department. Since there is no indication of this one can conclude Heather and her family are aware they are on shaky “legal” ground.
As I stated before, Wal-Mart and the Police ARE accountable for their words and actions, but to imply this is a one-sided issue based solely on race is foolish and narrow-minded.
Yes, support this young woman because this is what our community should do, BUT as a member of that same community I want to see Heather "acknowledge" her role in this...that's not an admission of guilt but rather a demonstration of what it means to be a Christian (implied in the article) and an intelligent woman (also implied in the article).
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By: Password on 11/05/2009 10:22PM
Stephen Sokoloff you just can't resist, can you. Your days as the power to be are numbered. I can't wait to see you and your house of cards fall. Mr. Sokoloff, David has a new name and you, "the giant" are about to fall. Good Luck on the trip down.
I know of the Ellis/Pulliam family also, they are known to stand up against the powers to be; on behalf of other blacks in their community. That's why we couldn't figure out what made you re-entered the charges against Heather after dropping them. So now you have enlightened us again, the family hasn't filed any criminal or civil charges against the KPD or Wal-Mart and yet Heather still refuses to sign the plea agreement. Sounds to me like she just wants to clear her name, the old fashion way, "By telling the truth." Sounds strange but maybe this young lady does have, "integrity
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By: Trendy315 on 11/03/2009 11:03PM
I've followed this for awhile now, and I'm so glad she is getting the help she needs. I pray that God guides her through this troubling time. However I am boggled by "Rutusaf" and his ability to correct people on "their opinion" after stating his/her own. I don't feel that Heather owes anyone and unexplainable apology, how can she?. This young women was victimized from the time she "chose" to join her cousin (and which we've all done before) She never got the chance to eplain "why" and "how" she got there (let alone pass her money off to her cousin) instead she was shoved to be shoved again, having the cashier yell at her and refuse to ring her out. Even then after finally being rung out, the cashier witheld her change only to stall her for the manager to yell at her and kick her out. All this for cutting a line? but yet you think she need to speak out. You need to tell that to the cashier, walmart and the police. Ask walmart to release their inside/outside surveillance tapes? ask the "officer friendly" to release his dashcam footage? Then you can question Ms. Ellis. She is doing as told by her "legal advisor" and fighting this injustice the best way she and her family can. It's wonderful what Dr. Watkins and Michael Baisden has evolved, I wish Heather and her family the best..
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