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OPINION: Why Black Students Must Stand Up For Heather Ellis

Written by Dr. Boyce Watkins on October 27, 2009 11:35 am

Heather Ellis

Black students have historically been among the greatest Civil Rights leaders in the Black community.  Young people bring the energy and bravery of youth, mixed with the boldness of idealism, to movements that ultimately change our nation.  The Civil Rights Movement was led by a bunch of students who defied their parents’ wishes by volunteering to be beaten upside the head at lunch counters.  Young people drove the entire dotcom era, causing their parents to memorize ridiculous words like Twitter, Yahoo, Myspace, Google and Facebook.  It is this same youthful energy that can reignite the pursuit of social justice in America, and the Heather Ellis case is a great place to start.

Heather Ellis is a young black college student now facing 15-years in prison for allegedly cutting line at a local Walmart.  Her cousin was in the shorter line, and when Heather joined her cousin, she was accused of cutting in front of the other customers.   An argument ensued, with security and police being called. While details are fuzzy at that point, we now know that Heather is being charged with two felony counts of assaulting a police officer, alleging that she kicked the officers when they were trying to arrest her.

RELATED: Black Woman Faces 15 Years In Prison For Cutting Line At Wal-Mart

I find this to be outrageous, given that Heather, a pastor’s daughter, is a premed student with no criminal record.  In that regard, she could be anyone’s daughter, sister, mother or friend.  A 15-year old boy, Walter Currie, was set on fire by a classmate in nearby Poplar Bluff, MO, with the attacker allegedly yelling racial epithets while he burned him.   This is what we are dealing with in this Missouri community: a blatant disregard for the Civil Rights of young African Americans, and that’s why we must fight.

As a result, our plan is to march on the town of Kennett, MO for these two black students.  On November 16, at 11 am, we will converge on the Walmart in Kennett where the incident took place.  At that point, we will make sure that the town is aware that this kind of injustice won’t be tolerated.   I am not sure if we will win the fight, but I can assure you that we will fight to win.

RELATED: VIDEO: Police Body-Slam Elderly Woman At Wal-Mart

Black students are needed in movements such as this one.  The energy, spirit, vision and courage of young black college students can serve as a blueprint for activism in the 21st century.  So, while protestors are burning up the pavement with picket signs and podiums, young black students around the country should be lighting up the Internet with Facebook posts and Twitter messages.

Change is coming, whether we like it or not.  By aggressively embracing our destiny, we can create a future that belongs to us. Education is the key to empowerment, but education without action is virtually worthless.

Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Professor at Syracuse University and founder of the Your Black World Coalition.  He is also the author of the forthcoming book, “Black American Money.”  For more information, please visit www.BoyceWatkins.com.

Tags: Black Students, Wal-Mart
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  • http://www.blackplanet.com/jazzpast/ jazzpast

    oh thats that sister that was in a nigga moment at wal-mart.My prayers goes out to her. As far as the young man that was burned, justice will be yours.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/Agility/ Agility

    When is news one going to start posting legitimate news? She is not charged with cutting line, she’s charged with assaulting a police officer. Just a slight difference. Unless news one has seen a tape or other evidence that she never did this, their entire premise is crap.

    Secondly, I understand that she was offered a plea deal to basically admit to disturbing the peace. Now I wasn’t there so I’m not going to say that she did or didn’t cause the disturbance, just like News One wasn’t there to say she did absolutely nothing wrong. If her civil rights were violated during the course of the detainment or arrest, she should hire an attorney that specializes in those types of cases and proceed in civil court against the police department. Again, I don’t have the facts, so I can’t make an educated judgment one way or the other. But I’m not going to start wearing a “Free Heather Ellis” T-shirt when it’s not clear that she wasn’t responsible for her own legal troubles.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/bigjoe1500/ bigjoe1500

    She was charged with assaulting the officer after allegedly kicking him. But the truth is that none of this would be going down if she didn’t cut the line. So, basically, she is going to get 15 years in prison for cutting line and that’s bullcrap.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/LastManStandingTall/ LastManStandingTall

    Lock that unruly bytch up…

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/dster25/ dster25

    Yall ni66as wit a split. She has no previous record and did not attack the officers. She is just a victim of twisted laws. 15 yrs yall ni66as funny.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/Jlynnd/ Jlynnd

    Ok, saying she’s facing 15 years for “cutting line” is like saying she’s facing 15 years for shopping at Walmart – it’s misleading and absolute asinine, when she’s actually facing 15 years for her alleged behavior AFTER she was approached by security/police officers for cutting the line. Call a spade a spade!

    With that said, I agree wholeheartedly with Agility.

  • http://watkinslivetoday.co.cc/opinion-why-black-students-must-stand-up-for-heather-ellis-news-one.html OPINION: Why Black Students Must Stand Up For Heather Ellis | News One | Watk ins live today.

    [...] dweller Money.” For more information, gratify meet http://www.BoyceWatkins.com. The rest is here: OPINION: Why Negroid Students Must Stand Up For Heather Ellis | News One Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: also-the, and-founder, author, more-information, professor, [...]

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/_bookoo_tweaks_/ _bookoo_tweaks_

    I agree with Jlynnd and Agility. Stop spinning this story for sympathy! Also, Heather is FACING 15 years. If she’s as innocent as she claims, and the prosecutor has no evidence to prove his case, she will likely never see that sentence. She’ll probably get a misdemeanor charge. If she is given 15 yrs despite a lack of evidence, then that would mean that she didn’t have a fair trial, and THEN I’d be more likely to support her cause. But for now? Y’all really expect people to rally behind this chick for acting like a fool?

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/IndioLatino/ IndioLatino

    These things are no surprise.. i feels though we need to stand up for government disregard of our freedoms and retain our constitutional rights. people still believe in today’s modern world that politician’s laws or governments laws are right.. logically i don’t give a s**t about these laws. people got to peep game because we’re losing our rights. that is why people go to prison for bulls**t and ridiculous accusations.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/Da_J_Rok/ Da_J_Rok

    Well, I aint exactly got her on my priority list, but I aint down with the crakkkas so let lil mama go. “F” a crakkka, DEA, Local PD’s and DA’s

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/IndioLatino/ IndioLatino

    and my point is people got to stop acting like they only care about themselves and get educated.. f**k that is why this country is failing.. we as a people need to make a change. we cannot let the president do all of our work for us.. people has to know that the president or whoever is in office, is a puppet. and the one that really runs the show and tell him what to do is the government in whole. everything is in a controlling factor. people are scared to be themselves and run their own destiny. most of us just like being controlled and telling us what to do.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/IndioLatino/ IndioLatino

    yo dumb f**k it’s not about crackers or whoever muthaf**ka. stop it with the race issue.. be logical.. you dumb f**k

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/_A_/ _A_

    Lets be real here, who is going to call the cops, if she merely cut the line? You have to be accountable for your actions. Now, I don’t doubt there is probably some over exaggeration with these charges, but a lesson can be learned in all this, of course only if we were to get the FULL story from news one (wishful thinking on my part, I know) Pick your battles wisely, learn which fights are worth fighting, and which ones aren’t!

    Right on Agility, Jlynnd and bookoo tweaks!

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/_A_/ _A_

    @indioLatino. Is all that name calling really necessary? Listen, Rok needs no defense from me cause I know he will end up getting in your azz shortly. I agree with your comments about the President and his role, but do you really mean to suggest, racism is a figment of our imagination?

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/MsPhatBooty_20/ MsPhatBooty_20

    THAT IS SO RETARED WTF 15YRS 4 REALLY CUTTN THE LINE!!!!!!!

  • http://www.blackinfo.net/?p=5599 Black Info.Net – African American News Hub | Black Info.Net

    [...] American Money.”  For more information, please visit http://www.BoyceWatkins.com. Read more here: OPINION: Why Black Students Must Stand Up For Heather Ellis Related ArticleJUST CURIOUS: Do All Black People Look Alike? Posted in The 411 Tags: ellis, [...]

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/masada2/ masada2

    yo indio latino is a white man! look at him! if not physically, mentally for sure. your comment about what racism? listen family this nut is a white man. indio-latino go back to spain(europe) you callin yaself indio-latino, you a spaniard and only a white man would say something about racism like you did. I’m Masada El Sadat, founder and leader of the new millenium black liberation movement and i aint hard to find. and watch ya language on here its kings and queens on here…. you spaniard. she wont get 15 years trust. and black ppl stop complaining and do something about our situation. news one is for black ppl, indio-latino! you need to be on news 2( the one for you) you not black, why are you here much less making foolish comment. mind ya own. you white ppl always nosing in something take that back to europe! Jah Rastafari!!!

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/mscpa2u/ mscpa2u

    This is sad! Just plain sad!

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/Da_J_Rok/ Da_J_Rok

    Mucho Gracias @ A (in his language I guess) for givin this clown fair warning

    IndioLatino… U Pale Pigment Pickle Head PU$$Y

    Why is the author of this article talkin about “CIVIL RIGHTS” if it dont have anything to do with racism? Have u ever even been to MO???

    There is no need to raise the issue of awareness to all those who understand how people in this region get down, but whateva u are, fall back, cause I aint got nuttin but bad conversation for any thang that resemble or is offended by what I call a “CRAKKKA” and if u wanna know my definition, check the archives… kocksucka

  • http://www.noflakpress.com/college-education/opinion-why-black-students-must-stand-up-for-heather-ellis.html OPINION: Why Black Students Must Stand Up For Heather Ellis | College Education, Books and Loans

    [...] Read the original here: OPINION: Why Black Students Must Stand Up For Heather Ellis [...]

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/AmidstTheView/ AmidstTheView

    Is this the right cause
    It is noble to arouse the youth to support each other. Moerover, to support the community in whole. However, this case begs question. Do we stand for “right” when “right” isn’t readily discernible. From the facts Baby-girl here wasn’t arrested for cutting line. It’s understandable that things ventured wayward, but that’s a two-way street here. We can’t challenge the non-black/brown entities that be with trival at best issues. The overall cause is too valuable, our future. We seem to “cry wolf” too often. This is why we get the incredulous, lax replies to said calls to action. Sadly, this indicates we still haven’t learned what to fight for.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/laidbackbro007/ laidbackbro007

    I’m feeling this all the way! I would have to say this is probably the most outspoken article on BP! To be truthful, I’ve always felt BP was kind of working “with the grain” when it comes to “status quo” in America. If they keep comming with more on this level, I’ll definitely be on her wayyy more often! I wish I could be down there, I’d surely take part. I’m in Michigan unfortunatly, with no job or money. But I still have prayers! :o)

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/lakerdude19/ lakerdude19

    @ Masada2
    I would love to find you and beat you to the curb. I don’t really have a good reason, but you just come off as a douche.

    That being said…

    _A_ said it best. Take responsibility for your actions. And out of curiosity, what was the ruling for the kid who set the guy on fire?

    And stop the propaganda, NewsOne (see Agility).

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/Young_Hoagie24/ Young_Hoagie24

    Yall niggaz better be on alert while Obama is president because these KKKrackerz are devious and will do anything in their twisted powers to lock up any and every black person they can to move up the political ladder.If you don’t believe me just take notes from the Rubin “Hurricane” Carter case.And Imma leave it at that.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/flyfisher_20750/ flyfisher_20750

    I’m with Doctor Watkins on this, all the way. There isn’t anything untoward about what Ms Ellis did. I do it all the time when I shop with my daughter. I get in line and let her get a few things for herself or soomething I forgot, then get in line (I’m 100% handicapped let me add and get by with crutches because I don’t fit these little go-carts they have in stores- not at 6′ 8″, 250 lbs); but the only place where its ever been an issue has been in upper class neighborhoods over in NE DC or in Reston and Potomac, VA, where virtually everyone is white. Never had a problem in South Bronx, SE DC, Southside Chicago to name some other places I’ve lived and shopped. But I deeply distrust places like Missouri and further south, and east of the Mississippi River. I wouldn’t want to live there or take my family there and deal with the issues associated with interracial marriage and multiracial children, exposing them to that mess. It may be 2009, but so much racist madness exists just below the surface, that it takes next to nothing to touch off a firestorm of racism. The security at the mall and the local police could easily have had a quiet talk with Ms Ellis about the circ**stances, without snatching on to the lady and dragging her out the door as though she were an animal. In reality, they should never been involved at all. She needs a good lawyer, she needs to sue the hell out of Walmart (one more reason besides the crappy way they treat their employees), and she needs a whole lotta prayers to see her through this.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/Monte_Brown/ Monte_Brown

    All I have to say is that we spend 1.2 trillion dollars a year in this country and get back less than 100 million. Why the hell are we shopping at WALMART making the Waltons richer? We just don’t get it sometimes. Black people need to spend their money in their own communities.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/cra76liz77/ cra76liz77

    I agree with mr. or ms brown, but remember our communities don’t have what we as black need. the wal-marts walgreens and any other companies has invaded our coummunties for profit and wealth. the panther movement of the 60′s tried to establish just what you are talking about. but we don’t have the capital or if we did, how many would set their business in our communities? if it comes to a boycott of walmart, sam’s store and others then we need together and do that. this is not sad this is reality and happening in america. think about it our black youth is a danger to the future of this country. why, because of the fear of being future leaders. they know our youth is on the move to have better, to be better and want to be better leaders. we must stand behind this young lady and do what we can to get the word out.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/Schneizel/ Schneizel

    This is stupid they better throw this case out.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/CarsonP/ CarsonP

    15 years just for cutting in line, if that isnt the most retarded thing i have ever read, unless the woman pulled out a gun and capped someone prison time should never even entered have been mentioned, they said she was premed and had no criminal record, just crazy and sad..i hope they realize what a mistake this was and drop all charges

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/WestsideCartelAtl85/ WestsideCartelAtl85

    This is an example of cruel and unusual punishment. Things like this happen all the time and usually the person get told to leave the store or get banned for awhile. 15 yrs is unnecessary something like this.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/NutinButThaBest/ NutinButThaBest

    They should put the whole story out before they say anything..She assaulted the officer? how? What did the officer do? did they ask her to go to the end of the line or did they just go up and be a*****es like a lot of officers do. And for all of this to be blown up off the initial situation of cutting in line I dont see that as cutting inline when u know the person standing in line already..Ive always done that, I stand in one and a friend stands in another and whoever gets to the front first we switch..NOT THAT BIG OF A DEAL its not like she had a whole cart of stuff to buy, ppl do that if they have a few things, so its not goin to make a big deal if they do it or not.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/MyEyezAdoreU/ MyEyezAdoreU

    I am not standing up for anyone without the entire story. I have friends who are cops and correction officers who are good people. There are people who do assault officers. Stop playing the race card BP

  • http://newsone.com/nation/opinion-how-we-can-work-toward-justice-for-heather-ellis/ OPINION: How We Can Work Toward Justice For Heather Ellis | News One

    [...] RELATED: OPINION: Why Black Students Must Stand Up For Heather Ellis [...]

  • http://www.blackinfo.net/?p=6798 Black Info.Net – African American News Hub | Black Info.Net

    [...] RELATED: OPINION: Why Black Students Must Stand Up For Heather Ellis [...]

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/Dj_Menniz_Da_Real/ Dj_Menniz_Da_Real

    We should be calling for a resignation of the chief of police and the prosecutor attorney… MyEyesAdoreU is one of the reasons they been getting away with locking up strong black men… This beautiful young black woman has NO CRIMINAL RECORD & if she was WHITE lets just say WE WOULDN’T BE HAVING THIS DISCUSSION!!! It’s 2010 and they’re still handed out felonies to our young black children ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!

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