Second Chances
from TalkToMe | July 6, 2007 02:51 AM

Can an ex-convict get a second chance in today's society?

Tell It Like It Is

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I had to laugh at Kim's response, because she is soooooo right, ANY Black movie that come to a movie theatre now will get very short air time. In todays society we need more movies like talk to me, pride, and daddy's little girls,and so forth to showcase what we as a people have done and has done to make a difference. but instead we get some bart simpson, harry potter and larry and chuck , pictures that dosen't tell a story nor have moral values that one can learn from. White America, boy the powers that be has done it again. they have fullfilled their quota for this summer. one day or week only. Brothers and sisters we need to protect our right to equal representation. make our voices heard how? by not going to these other movies until they bring our movies to the same theatres and allow them to be played for more than a week like thses other unfulfilling movies. Telling you people we need to form our own system of justice when it concerns our story. hell in surprise they showcase Dreamgirls for so long. I think White America is afraid to allow our brothers and sisters of today see how a group of Black people can bring something positive to a city or nation. I think they are afraid that if we show to many black movies in our city that it might cause a disturbance outside in the parking lot. Terrible shame to think in 2007 we're still fighting for our equal rights a damn shame but a reality that i'm afraid is hear to stay unless we make a stand.

I had to laugh at Kim's response, because she is soooooo right, ANY Black movie that come to a movie theatre now will get very short air time. In todays society we need more movies like talk to me, pride, and daddy's little girls,and so forth to showcase what we as a people have done step forth can and has done to make a difference. but instead we get some bart simpson, harry potter and larry and chuck , pictures that dosen't tell a story nor have moral values that one can learn from. White America, boy the powers that be has done it again. they have fullfilled their quota for this summer. one day or week only. Brothers and sisters we need to protect our right to equal representation. make our voices heard how? by not going to these other movies until they bring our movies to the same theatres and allow them to be played for more than a week like thses other unfulfilling movies.

I had to laugh at Kim's response, because she is soooooo right, ANY Black movie that come to a movie theatre now will get very short air time. In todays society we need more movies like this and pride daddy's little girls and so forth to showcase what we as a people who have step forth can and has done to a difference. but instead we get some bart simpson, harry potter and larry and chuck , pictures that dosen't tell a story nor have moral values that one can learn from. White America, boy the powers that be has done it again. they have fullfilled their quota for this summer. one day or week only. Brothers and sisters we need to protect our right to equal representation. make our voices heard how? by not going to these other movies until they bring our movies to the same theatres and allow them to be played for more than a week like thses other unfulfilling movies.

from Anonymous | August 27, 2007 03:29 PM

What the FUCK. why isnt this movie in every major city. WHy do i have to drive 200 miles to a fucking hick town just to see this great movie!!!

assholes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

from northeastern Pa | August 19, 2007 04:09 PM

I am sooooo disapointed this movie did not come to my area. Is it that my local movie theaters wil not carry or the limited distribution of the movie company. Either way I'm fileing an official complaint that this movie is not everwhere..

from Diane Lavender | August 18, 2007 02:25 PM

I have three words to describe this movie: Ex Cell Ent!!! If Don Cheadle does not receive at the very least a nomination for an Oscar, there is definitely something wrong! I laughed, I cried, and I was moved tremendously by the portrayal of this DJ. This movie should also receive an academy award nomination. I will see this movie again, Lord willing.

My son was in jail for assualt 4 and now he is haveing a hard time finding a place to live.They look at his record and credit history and tell him " NO WAY" he is working full time and need a place desparately.

When is this movie going to all theatre's I am waiting to see it. I can already tell it will be a great movie and we will see it at the Oscars

Yes, one should be given a "second chance". More so, we need to equip young people first chances that prevent them from going to jail in the first place.

Why can't young people from the inner city be fluent in English?
Why must so many drop put? Why can't they delay parenthood?
Having a baby with a fancy name isn't doing much at all.
Instead stay in school and become a pillar in your family and community.

emulating gangster hip hop artists is a waste of your life

parents ministers have to empower their kids with anger management and conflict avoidance skills. They also must build their child's self esteems such that the actions of another does not hurt to the point to the extent violence (retaliation) is viewed as the only means to cope.

from Candice | July 25, 2007 08:50 AM

Rarely!

from AfrikahVenus | July 23, 2007 12:01 PM

Yes! Look at Don King...LOL

from Lloyd E.Booker | July 17, 2007 11:06 AM

from,Lloyd E.Booker I'm no celeb,& yes race,education&status play a major part as to who goes to jail & for how long?But you can be transformed!with help & sheer tenacity.

I know that I will see this movie as soon as it comes out...cause if it lasts as long as the movie Pride did..I will have to see it on DVD. To answer the question...blacks who are not ex- cons barely make it. In today's society an ex con will have to be self motivated and blessed.

from Deborah | July 15, 2007 04:58 PM

It seems that the North West movie industry did not want the possibility of an black ex-convict true story to be expose in their theaters. What a shame!
This movie was advertised on our TV over the last two weeks. When it came out on this past Friday, July 13th, the movie was no where to be found. The Fort Lewis, WA Ranger paper did a big write about the movie. This is not the first time that a black movie was not played in the State of WA on the release date as scheduled. Regal Theather or someone else who has authority in sabotaging the Movie Industry has to be stopped. What can be done? What can concern citizens do? Is this legal? I am tired ot this happening when a black movie comes out. I know this movie would have done better the most movies this weekend, ie, Harry Potter! I wanted to see this movie now! I wanted to influence the first weekend rating! This movie is not palynig in Oregon or Washington State! Someone, please get envolve, this is deinitely a raciest act!
What is going on? What can be done.
We are irate about this unfortunate raciest act of the black movie industry. How can we have our own?

from dwilliams | July 14, 2007 06:42 AM

There are certain circumstances where you should get a second chance. Let's all stop judging and let the GOOD LORD do that for us. Because when the law books were written there was a loophole include, because the writter did not know at the time if he or a family member would need it. Also if you have money as we all know what that can do. There are good people inside that made wrong choices.

Everyone deserves a second chance. One of the problem of our society is that some aren't even given a first chance. A disfunctional society will produce disfunctional members. It's a wonder there are productive positive progressive people coming out of such mess. We've got to empower one another to achieve the impossible...to elevate to the highest heights...to love...to inspire.

I was convicted of a crime (felony) 27 years ago. I have not since then or before that been involved in any illegal activity. I was fortunate enough to acquire a state job but was unable for 19 years to get any promotional opportunies or transfers. because of this conviction.
May I add that I did not commit a sex crime or murder. As a woman I feel that it was easier for me to even find a job, because I know a few men who were never given the opportunity. Forgiveness is an art we have not yet learned.

I am sitting on the fence about this one. I can see the good and the bad of trying to give everyone a fair shake. Everyone doesn't deserve or even want a chance weather it's the first, second or third.

However, if I see a person who is trying to walk the walk and talk the talk then I'm game.

Some people have truly been caught up and some have done things on purpose but once they have served their time and display change in them, why not help them out.

from Dina M. | July 11, 2007 02:41 PM

Yes, an ex convict can make it in society, but it going to take the community to embrace him and teach him love and values to make it in society. We live in a world that clearly says:"you're on your own pal, if you can't swim." We are responsible of one another, and until we all realize it, we will never attain this better world that we all dream of so much.

from cynthia | July 11, 2007 01:49 PM

Hello, all I am a x con and I got in trouble in 96 for selling drugs and I have been wanting to join the army cant do it and there are so many opportunity's closed to me. yes some people don't deserve it and some do. who is to guess which ones do and a lot of people are not willing to take that risk. It is not easy being in my shoes. when i came to Florida i could not get a job have a degree but have a minumiall job because no good job useing my degree will hire me. Oh my crime had to do with drugs

from NOTjustanutter1 | July 11, 2007 11:23 AM

Can they or will they? Can they... Yes they can, if a man/woman looks at another man/woman as SOMEONE instead of looking and only seeing their 'Ex' title. On the other hand there are many black men and other minorities that are fighting for justice which the backward nature of courts and the government have caused. There is no truth to 'innocent until proven guilty', because once you're accused everyone's perception is changed. There are the few that have family and/or friends to support the injustice that has continued from before MLK Jr. days. And on top of that if you don't have dinero then it's only a prayer that will bring the justice to fruition. The correctional systems haven't been developed for true rehabilitation, they are a business just like any other, yet it's interesting how the 'business' is run by the 'majority' and those that are stuck in the system are of the minority. This is not a coincidence. Do we really think things have changed in the past 60+ years? Oh, yea now the slavery is run from within the confines and the true criminals are getting away with their crimes against those that are confined within the unjust system of this country. Just check out the PA prisons that have reported legitimate abuse. It was convenient that no cameras were able to catch their staffs actions, (interesting enough an inmate isn't able to hold a camera in their possession/that would be contraband/how convenient) yet at least 1 correctional staff member admitted and attempted to speak up about the truth. Those lieutenants which were fired were reinstated at another prison in the same state where they are to this day abusing, not disciplining and especially not rehabilitating... It's up to us to give them a chance. It's also up to us whether or not we are going to allow the 'majority' to continue or to answer to they're racially charged actions. We can say it doesn't happen, but that doesn't change the fact that the justice system and the correctional system is corrupt and unjust themselves...

from Sam Peters | July 10, 2007 01:53 PM

Agree with the previous one, its a case-by-case basis. There's plenty of ex-cons who come out and repent and want to make the world better. But there's plenty more who don't.

from NYCboy | July 9, 2007 12:05 PM

Can they? Sure. Should they? Not always. It just all depends on the person and his/her situation. How much progress have they made since their crime? Have they been rehabilitated? It is a serious and sometimes unfortunate situation, and it is hard to believe that the decision rests on few individuals. Not an easy decision to say the least!

from wiseguy | July 9, 2007 10:05 AM

I think this is a delicate topic, and I can definitely see it both ways. On one hand, it is a scary feeling to know that an ex-convict is out in the free world completely capable of engaging in similar reckless activities as in the past. They might not make it in the real world after being imprisoned and resort to committing crimes in order to go back to jail. On the other hand, everyone deserves another chance, and being in the big house could be the only way to understand that changes must be made. Again, I think it is a fine line, but ultimately, another chance should be granted...considering the situation of course!

I think it completely depends on the crime and the circumstances. A sex offender? Not so much. A petty thief? Yeah, give them a second chance - as long as someone is keeping a close eye on them.

from KApplebutter | July 6, 2007 01:07 PM

They should get another chance in society, if closely monitored. After all they got a free ride while in the can, not to mention what they took from society to get in there. They have some giving back to do.

Hello! Has anyone seen OZ? Keep those criminals locked forever and ever. It's a hard knocked life!

from Murray | July 6, 2007 01:03 PM

Considering how many people get locked up for crimes they don't commit we should give everyone a second chance.

from Bikkit | July 6, 2007 01:01 PM

Its tough but its possible. I think as long as your willing to do the work and put in the time to show people you're more than a prison #, humans are very forgiving.

from Jim Jenkins | July 6, 2007 12:53 PM

Depends on the crime, I would say. Someone who served their time for something like burglarly or assault, maybe there was a reason they needed to do what they did and they can move forward. But society has a much harder time forgiving sex offenses and murders, and I think there is a long road ahead for an ex-con trying to rehabilitate after something like that. I think getting to know the person goes a long way towards knowing if you can trust that person, but most people never get that chance. Too bad.

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