Racism in our judicial system with a sprinkle of sexism

Yesterday I participated for the first time in jury the jury selection process. I did not go into this process overly excited (I was missing an important meeting for work) or with the expectation that I would encounter discrimination.

I live in Gregg County Texas where (according to Wikipedia) 22% of population is African American, and 70% Caucasian.

The initial pool I would guess was around 100 people all who were called randomly by some computer program that pulls residents in to serve. I would estimate that 20- 40% of the 100 were African American.

33 of us were randomly selected by a computer program to appear for a civil case panel selection. Of the 33 of us I would say 10-15 were African American.

Already in the court room to support the jury selection process:

Judge - Caucasian (Male)

Courtroom assistant - Caucasian (Female)

Court recorder - Caucasian (Female)

Lawyers (3) - Caucasian (Male)

Defendant - Caucasian (Female)

Plaintiff - African American (Female)

Legal assistants (2) - Caucasian (Female)

Bailiff - African American (Female)

Observers (2) - Caucasian (Female)

Of the 13 non jury's in the court room, 2 were African American (about 15%). This slightly below average ratio could be explained by looking at the systemic challenges that face minorities creating a higher bar of entry into legal professions.

I was in the first 10 juror candidates a process randomly done by a computer program. 7 of us were Caucasian, 3 African American, a split reflective of the county demographics. 

The selection process was to select 6 jurors plus one alternate done by the legal teams (not a computer program). Of the first 10, one Caucasian and all three African Americans were dismissed, creating an all white jury with the only African American in the jury box the alternate who was the 11th candidate. 

My conclusions yesterday: 

- Computer programs do not make decisions with any racial motivation, people do.

- Racism is a real problem in our judicial system. Its deep and impacts all levels (think about the Supreme Court case this fall)

- systemic barriers for minorities to enter into the legal profession compounds the poor racial representation in a court room
- The power structure remains overly male dominated creating a sprinkle of sexism. 2 of the 7 selected jurors were female. The only woman in authority was the bailiff, all the other women in the court were in supporting roles for the men

Today we deliberated a decision, it was not unanimous as I felt strongly that the plaintiff was being under compensated. The other 5 jurors (all white & over 40) expressed sentiment that the compensation should be at a lower amount than I was comfortable with. Would the decision have been different if there was at least one African American in the room? Or another minority represented? What if one of the lawyers had been female or we had another female in the jury? In complete speculation I believe that the plaintiff would have been awarded several thousands of dollars more if a jury that was more reflective of the community had been chosen.

What are your experiences? what do you think?

Chimp Haven

I first heard about Chip Haven 3 years ago. I was reading about research chimps and the somewhat new legislation that says when they have reached the end of the time having research done on them they need to be given a safe place to live out the remainder of there lives. The article stated that only a few facilities in the United States were currently licensed to do this and one was just outside of Shreveport LA

I knew that I had to go visit. It turned out to be much more complicated than I expected. Chimp Haven believes strongly that their service to the chimps is not a zoo and as a result have very limited public access days. Advanced planning is a must, but the experience is well worth it.

Chimp Haven is a huge facility tucked behind a public green-space giving it the feeling of being even more secluded than it is. During public access days the chimps are lured to the viewing side with an excess of toys and treats, giving you as the visitor a really great animated experience.

Will I go again? Yes if I can make the schedule work

Advice for those living in east Texas: Visit Chimp Haven and pay extra for the hay ride. Plan a trip to visit the park outside Chimp Haven, bring your bike and enjoy the trails. If your like me and love to volunteer check the web site to see if you can be a parking attendant on public access days as a chance to give back to this really wonderful haven,

Chiangmai Thai

One of the great things about living in longview is the every changing array of restaurants. New ones open every month and others close about as often. Not all are fantastic but many are worth a try... I mean hey what else are you going to do tonight?

About 6 months ago with no fan fair Chiangmai Thai opened in a strip mall behind the AT&T store. I was luck to spot is and have visited several occasions.

The food is variable based on how busy, the day or the week and who is cooking. The prices are reasonable and the food is fairly fast.

Their wait staff is unique, all brand new servers who have no experience in food service and who know nothing about Thai food. A true experience every time, but one that I honestly enjoy.

Two negatives that I would feel remiss not mentioning: If its a dish that comes with rice you will need an additional side as the rice potion is too small. Secondly last week when we went in a cockroach was spotted scurrying across the wall in the dining area.

http://www.longviewthaifood.com

Henderson TX Rodeo

It'll drive a cowboy crazy
It'll drive the man insane
And he'll sell off everything he owns
Just to pay to play the game

And a broken home and some broken bones
Is all he'll have to show
For all the years that he spent chasin'
This dream they call rodeo

Well it's bulls and blood, it's dust and mud
It's the roar of a Sunday crowd, it's the white in his knuckles
The gold in the buckle, he'll win the next go 'round
It's boots and chaps, it's cowboy hats
It's spurs and latigo, it's the ropes and the reins
And the joy and the pain and they call the thing rodeo

It's the broncs and the blood
It's the steers and the mud
And they call the thing rodeo

 Garth Brooks - Rodeo Lyrics 

I don't know if anything else needed to be said. If you are living, visiting or passing through East Texas a trip to the Rodeo is a must do on your list. The Henderson Rodeo is a family Rodeo (that means no smoking, no swearing and no alcohol). As an added bonus their rodeo arena is somewhat enclosed keeping the cool night air and the bugs at bay. And of course you will get a satisfying dose of Texas pride, cowboys and true blue patriotism.

Mr. Chow chinese restaurant

3012 W Marshall Ave, Longview, TX 75604

Best I have found in Longview

Ethiopian dallas

Lalibela Ethiopian Restaurant

http://lalibeladallas.net/ 

9191 Forest Ln

Ste 2

Dallas, TX 75243

This place is amazing! The vegetarian variety dish is pronominal. Located in a somewhat sketchy strip mall next door to a strip club they are open late, encourage eating with  your hands and have an atmosphere that is reminiscent of  those wonderful moment of reprieve when backpacking the southern hemisphere. A great choice if you are spending a day in Dallas.

Walter Jacobs Park Mooringsport, LA 71060

A gem of a discovery. The Walter Jacobs Park in Morrningsport Louisiana is a short 1 hour drive from Longview Tx. It has about 5 miles of true nature trails that loop and wind to allow for all levels of dedication. Its free to visit but has limited hours so check before you go. At the parking area you find a nature center with all sorts of interesting local things to see, touch and learn about. The lady working the Sunday we visited was very friendly and had lots of interesting information on the local environment, including the existence of a Bear population that moves between the south eastern Louisianan area and the east Texas area around Pittsburgh and Jefferson.

The trails are varied with handicap accessible paved trails, sandy paths, bridges over slow low creeks and trails through the fields under the power cuts. Due the the looping system the park has LOTS of trail signs and great maps but you will most likely question if you are really where you think you are, luckily they all loop back to the nature center.

Surrounding the nature center visitors have the opportunity to see rescued birds and a rescued deer. Out of sight are kept the birds that are being rehabilitated to release to the wild.

We easily spent 2 hours walking the trails and exploring the park. After it was a quick drive into Shreveport for dinner and ices. This is on my must visit list for those who are spending some time in this part of the county. 

Casa Ole

Ian and I like to go out to eat. Lat night we wanted Mexican and thought we would tray something new since we have been disappointed by the ones we used to frequent.

Casa Ole, has decent reviews and two locations in Longview. We selected the one on the loop by the mall.

I had a cheese Chimichanga that was delicious, fried rice not so great. Service was good price about $10 per dish.

The most note worthy thing about the restaurant was the overwhelming large percentage of staff and customers who are large.

Longview TX man transforms mailboxes into works of art

This is cool!

Posted: Monday, March 17, 2014 4:00 am | Updated: 7:45 am, Mon Mar 17, 2014.

Longview man transforms mailboxes into works of art By Christina Lane clane@news-journal.com Longview News-Journal

Mailboxes take on a new meaning in the neighborhood of Williams Road in Longview. Simple metal letter boxes have been transformed into everything from school buses, John Deere tractors and fire trucks to barns, airplanes and helicopters — each of which has been handcrafted by Len Budai of Longview to represent their owner’s personality. “When you retire, you look for stuff to do,” Budai said of his hobby, which started after he retired as the director of religious education at St. Mary’s in 2000 and from Home Depot in 2007.
He’s made about 15 mailboxes to date, each of which was created from recycled parts.
“These wheels came off of strollers,” Budai said as he pointed to the back wheels of a John Deere mailbox he recently made. The front wheels were wood cogs.
It takes Budai about a week and a half to two weeks to construct each mailbox, which he described as being a “very precise” art because the mailbox itself must be smooth on the inside.
“All the screws have to go from the inside out because it could tear the mail or cut someone’s hand,” he said.
All of the mailboxes are made of recycled materials, except for the box itself — which often is also recycled.
One of the first mailboxes Budai made was an airplane that he made for the person who rented a house from him. The person renting the house told Budai that he liked airplanes, so Budai decided to start a new hobby and made his first mailbox.
Budai enjoys making items, and other projects of his include creating birdhouses. This past week, he constructed several birdhouses with the help of his grandchildren, Hunter Rogers 6, and Hope Rogers, 11, of Gladewater who were staying with he and his wife during spring break. Budai’s wife, Barbara, makes stained glass and sews.
The children enjoy being part of the action.
“The kids are always saying, ‘Let’s do something.’ It’s good because it gets them to use their hands,” he said.

http://www.news-journal.com/news/local/longview-man-transforms-mailboxes-into-works-of-art/article_24224fb2-60e2-5448-89ed-f678b3cabb0e.html

Kroger sushi longview

is amazing discovery krogers grocery in longview at highway 80 has delicious sushi.

Priced 8-15 per plate, made by in store sushi chefs its an affordable healthy and delious lunch option in longview.

Pizza king to go

hands down the best pizza i've found in longview texas. peter king the real classic old school pizza house you can pick up Or dine in, both which are amazing. Located on historic highway 80 its worth a stop if you have time.

White chocolate bread pudding

A new years treat after a long travel and moving filled two days we went hunting for a restaurant that we have not yet been to. We found ourselves at the historic Johnny Caces. Full New Years festivities were underway with punch and champagne for those waiting on tables, live music in the lobby and the place was just packed. Great food, quality service and even some conversation with the gentleman at the table next to us made this place a win. The price accurately reflected the quality of food but by far the highlight of the night was the white chocolate bread pudding.


If you are in longview you MUST have the white chocolate bread pudding from Johnny Caces

Longview Tx Farmers Market

For over a month now I have had the joy of the downtown Longview Saturday farmers market. While a far cry from those in NY, NJ it fills me with happiness as I journey through the 7 or 8 booths each week gathering fresh local produce, cheese and eggs.

Great deals are hard to find, however excellent in quality, long lasting and full of flavor. This last week I filled my basket with thai goat cheese,
yellow beans, snap peas, egg plant, potatoes, jalapenos and cucumbers. Supplemented with collard greens and cilantro from our garden we have been eating well for the past few days.

Today I discovered that the Fairground Farmers Market has opened for the season and I scored my first peaches of the year! The Fairground Farmers Market is tucked back and a bit hard to see, but go to the fairgrounds, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 8am and noon and you should be able to find it. Its a true gem if you are new to the area and looking for some spectacular inspiration. Tonight for desert we had peach pie with a gram cracker crust YUM!


Here are the links: http://www.longviewfarmersmarket.org/ http://www.historiclongviewfarmersmarket.com/

Bake Cupcake Longview TX

This weekend Ian and I visited Bake Cupcake in Longview TX. I felt we were much overdue in the cupcake craze and wanted to see what our new location has to offer.

The space itself: Cute, a bit too pink, not enough seating and slightly disorganized.

The Cupcake: I had a salted caramel and Ian had the bake. Both were fabulous  moist  soft, brilliantly flavored and well displayed. Next visit I am going to get the Key Lime (see photo below)

Some real cons: the service is disorganized and it takes a long time to buy your cupcake. We ordered milk and after we payed they realized they had ran out. They gave us both coffee to substitute and used a single cup coffee maker, however had no flavor selection.

Will we go back, most likely, would i recommend it as a great place in longview, not likely.

The Basics:

http://www.bake-cupcakes.com/

903-295-1212

Mon-Fri : 11:00-6:30pm Saturday : 12:00-4:30pm

1111 Evergreen St Longview, TX

Things to DO in East Texas Saturday Night

On a search for things to do last night and we came up with a list of options that I wanted to share. Keep in mind this list is for 20's-30's on a Saturday night during Texas winter

1. Tyler Water Park http://www.waterparkatthevillages.com/
2. Winery in Tyler http://www.kiepersol.com/
3. Historic Downtown Canton http://www.cantontxedc.com/main-street
4. Bowling
5. BJ's http://www.bjsbrewhouse.com/
6. Preformance Theater in Tyler http://www.libertytyler.com//
7. Longview College Theater
8. Maude Cobb events http://maudecobb.longviewtexas.gov/
9. Diner and Drinks in Shreveport LA


Dinner and Drinks in Shreveport LA won out.

We had a stellar dinner at Herby K's http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/285/1240511/restaurant/Herby-Ks-Restaurant-Shreveport

and drinks(a moderate selection) a bit to early (band was still setting up) at the Noble Savage http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/285/1240511/restaurant/Herby-Ks-Restaurant-Shreveport