Clemency Denied for Mother Who Used Fake Addresses to Enroll Children in School

kelley williams bolard denied clemencyby Dr. Boyce Watkins, Your Black World.

I have a special connection to the case of Kelley Williams-Bolar.  I remember writing about Kelley when no one else was talking about her, and wondering how in the world a mother can be sent to jail for doing what’s best for her children.  In case you don’t remember, Kelley was the mom who was jailed for using her father’s address to send her children to a better school.

Rev. Al Sharpton and I went to Ohio to rally on Kelley’s behalf.  The people of the community were galvanized by the international attention that Kelley’s case had received.  Nearly every parent in America could identify with the idea of bending the rules to get their child access to a better education.

Well, Kelley’s battle continues.  The Ohio Parole Board denied a pardon to Kelley for the crime that will remain as a felony on her record for the rest of her life.   The felony conviction threatens Kelley’s ability to earn a teaching license, which may ultimately keep her in poverty for the rest of her life.  The untold story is that both she and her father have endured heinous persecution from local authorities since her original arrest.

The board engaged in the typical racist, classist chastising that we see so often aimed at poor single black mothers in America:

“Ms. Williams-Bolar was faced with a no more difficult situation than any other working parent who must ensure that their children are safe during, before and after school hours in their absence,” said the board. “Most parents find legitimate and legal options to address this issue. Ms. Williams-Bolar’s only response was to be deceitful.”

“I love my kids and I would have done anything for my children,” Williams-Bolar said, to no avail.

I don’t have much to say on this issue right now, I’ll have to give it some thought.  I spoke to Kelley last week, who seems anxious and optimistic about finding a way to provide for her children.  I don’t know how others feel about this issue, but when I see Kelley, I see my own mother.  She would have done the same thing for me.

Mothers should not be going to jail for giving their children access to a quality education.  That should be a fundamental American right.

 

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  • Omarali81

    i guess these people (the system) want every body with a felony, my question is what is there plan them sneek %&^#@! got one

  • Zeus247

    What was the racial make-up of the board?

  • Theresa

    with this as well as the e-mail from the university in Akron Im thinking I will not be going to Ohio any time soon. What a bunch of idiots there.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_NBQ3KG7JUFPIJ46AK5CDY4ORIY JAMES K

    And this is suppose to be  American that say you can get a good education but at what price.   The state of Ohio should step back and look at themself.    Because I bet alot of white parents do it and get away with.

  • http://twitter.com/cchanldy Azaelia Brambleburr

    I heard about this case at the time Kelley Williams-Bolar was arrested through the many “tea party,” charter school, and home school supporters I interact with who sent links out to blog and newspaper articles about it.  We were shocked that a mother could be sent to jail for what she did. Also, saddened that the school systems don’t accept that parents want quality education and they will go wherever they can to get it for their kids.  The racial makeup of the board isn’t the issue (a couple of the board members were black anyway).  Control is the issue.  Govt. has too much control over individual lives and choices. This situation is just such an example. 

  • Bnance

    How sad.  A felony for trying to get a better education for your child.  Is it possible to appeal the felony?

  • A Sojourner’s Truth

    Kelley Williams-Bolar, as well as other parents in low performing schools, should sue their school systems, the superintendents, and the boards of education -  both local and  state –  each and every year that their schools fail.  Parents and community members should become proactive not reactive.  We have an all-out school cheating scandal going on here in Atlanta that highlights the corruption that goes on in our schools.  It is too easy to put everything on parents and not hold administrators and “educators” accountable, too.

  • Deborah

    I find this issue down right stupid! A felon? she did not kill or rob anybody. Just trying to raise her children up in a school that will better their education. There is probably other kids not in that school district that parents are sending them there as well. Please lets all keep this family lifted up in our prayer. Prayer is more powerful than any court system. God bless this family! ( No wearon formed against them shall prosper in Jesus name)

    • Anonymous

      Amen to that.

  • Clg29

    A lot of it is politics, power, money and greed, that is why it is so important to put leaders in office that are not afraid to speak up against this type of racism and to let black people know the importance of their dollars. We spend our money so freely with the same ones that impose these racist laws, but honestly it is becoming less about race and more about class if we are not careful there will only be two groups in the US and that will be the very rich and the very poor!

  • Anonymous

    …I can’t believe this is happening to that poor woman and her children, i would have done the same thing. Sending some love K….

  • kt

    how can this happen. she should have been fined the most. i live in san antonio, not from texas, ex military and you and i know thousands of illegals go to school here and even college with state and federal benefits not to mention food stamps etc. being a disabled vet i cant even get section 8 yet they can. to call her deceitful, well what about the thousands of illegals here and probably in Ohio as well. i dont get it, they could have required the grandparent be assigned guardianship temporarily while they attend school. thats how some people do it so why such harsh punishment for a american tax paying citizen. white america doesnt mind hiring illegals paying them low or high wages to build their houses etc. i just dont get it.

  • >:(

    This is not only racist but classist as well.  Its enraging.

  • Anonymous

    A woman wanting a better education for her children and I commend her for doing what she had to do.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001610572146 April Blanc

    This isn’t about one women.  This about making sure non-elites stay in their place.  The fact that she did what my own mother did to get me out of a designated welfare area, makes her a threat to the system as it is created.

  • Quietstorm897

    Even her female lawyer seems like she doesn’t give a flip flop about Ms. Williams-Bolar’s case.  In the picture above, her expression says it all.  Looks like she’s saying in her mind, “Yeah, whatever, dude.  This black girl has some nerve to try to get her kid educated in a great school so he can end up being something other than a ball player.  Her goose is cooked.”

  • Quietstorm897

    Even her female lawyer seems like she doesn’t give a flip flop about Ms.
    Williams-Bolar’s case.  In the picture above, her expression says it
    all.  Looks like she’s saying in her mind, “Yeah, whatever, dude.  This
    black girl has some nerve to try to get her kid educated in a great
    school so he can end up being something other than a ball player.  Her
    goose is cooked.” 

  • Leo_shell1

    Right now, my feelings go so far from the issue at hand. I am taken back to the day when Black Americans were not free to walk the streets without their papers and Black men tipped their hats to Anglo women (regardless of age). Our mothers worked in the homes of Angloes and raised the children while Anglo women did whatever. Now in the twenty-first century Black children are not educated in the better schools our nation offers so we are positioned to falsesify information hoping our children have the opportunity to learn on that level offered to their counterparts. Is enough being done to protect Ms. Williams-Bolar? If Ms. Williams-Bolar was not a single Black woman with children would she be in this predictament? Why could she not have been warned and not prosecuted? What is it going to take for Black people to recognized, “we have not arrived”. We have a ways to go. We won’t get there without God’s grace and mercy. 

  • Anonymous

    Was she in the wrong?  Yes.  The law was not written with race in mind so the claim of racism is not warranted.  Was there a right way to get her kids into her choice of school?  Yes.  She should have went through that route if she felt that her kids were too good to go to school with her local neighborhood children.  That is the real issue, isn’t it?  Her neighbors didn’t break the law to do the same, did they?  I’m sure that they love their children just as much as she loves hers.  Is this worth a felony?  I don’t think so.  Is it possible that she is being used to made an example out of in order to instill fear in others?  Perhaps.  In the words of my son’s football coach, “We should live like examples and not use others to make an example.”  I hope that her punishment is reduced and that this woman either come to appreciate the services that are available in her own community or find a way to move to another one.

    • Beverly Goodwin

      What services in her community?

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_YJW2HKBIBSRGOLC6Y5AVYT526Y Just-Thinking

    What is going on in America?That situation is very messed up. What type of laws is on the books to convict her for a felony. From what I understand she got charge for the same way just like a convicted criminal on the street. and I’m very sure she is non-violent person. This is what I think Black Americans need to start learning Math and Science. those two subjects is the key for life. And think about moving to a different place where their is better understanding for our people. America is not the only place where black people can live and prosper in life. We did our best as a people to try to change America. But now its time to change ourselves and the way we live for our families.

    • Beverly Goodwin

      Welcome to the real world of the white man and his form of integration.

  • Beverly Goodwin

    This woman’s attorney is a damn joke.  She did not give a damn for her client and was not zealous enough to give her client the fight for her life. 

    Stop with the jesus calling and singing that B.S. song we shall overcome some day.  Some day has come and gone.  We need to take up arms and fight for what is rightfully ours and this peaceful resistance is just pure B.S. and the white man and the trash on the Parole Board and that chicken sh%t attorney know that weapon is no damn good.

    We have gone back to segregation and you african americans don’t know it.

  • Disciple0781

    Members of the parole and pardon board, I must say  that I very strongly disagree with your decision.  The truth of the matter is that she was wrong yes, but to call it a felony when she only wanted to do what was best for her children is simply appalling.  I am angry and downright embarassed that this is what you consider justice.  You ought to be ashamed of yourselves and I hope that in the future if you should make a mistake that those working on your case are more compassionate to you than you were to this woman.  This is totally outrageous!!

  • Shhourofpower

    Hum!!!  well we need to get ready to  lock up half the mothers in Fort lauderdale . This has got to stop !!!!!! Am sick  of it .How many Moms, Grandmoms, Ect. l can name a few who are guilt if the truth be told ..

  • Violate15

    Every community has a school district and the people living in that school district, should demand and fight for better schools within their district. Concern parents should organized. Meet with the school officials, the media and local elected officials. Use the tools of petition, boycott and protest, etc,. And utilized community resources. Sneaking Black children into other school districts is not the answer. We need to improve our communities for our families and not run from our responsibility to stand and fight. Look at what is happening in NYC. For profit ” Charter Schools” are taking over public schools. And this maybe the end of public education as we know it. When some Black parents realized what was happening, it was too late. Years of not participating in their children’s education and monitoring the NYC Public School System, made them ineffective in confronting the well financed and political connected for profit Charter Schools.

    • Violate15

      Why do so many poor Hispanic families living in “The Hood” find a way to enroll there kids into good Catholic Schools……And the Mayor of New York City is closing “failing Black public schools?”  This does not add up. Grade schools located within and about housing projects, where its convenient for the local kids, are closed and the kids bused 5, 10, 20 miles away to another school from their home. And why are school lunches now based upon the child`s parents ability to pay.Meaning many kids go hungry during the day..!!! When I was a kid, my “ghetto school” served free breakfast and lunch. There was a nurse in the school. And we saw the dentist every six months. It was mandatory for our parents to come to the school during Open School Week and talk to our teachers about our progress. And we were taught Black History and knew about our great Black leaders, entertainers,artists, educators, etc, of that day.  We did not have cops patrolling  public schools and we had solid communities and social organizations. Where did all that go….?????

  • Violate15

    Why are we has Black people taking an interest in the education of our children after years of neglect…? When we cannot even secure and protect our children from being shot, injured, killed by violence within our very communities….In just a 24 hour period here in NYC, 48 people were shot, including children, Black Children, by mindless criminals living among us..! Damn, we cannot even enjoy The West Indian Day Parade,without some fool pulling out a gun and start shooting…….Our seniors are being beaten, robbed and even killed everyday. Less than 53% of Black kids graduate junior high school and less than 57% graduate high school. Where are the parents of these kids….? We are facing mass self destruction as a people in America. Everyone wants to be a rapper or ballplayers. And most end up undereducated, in prison, on drugs or dead if not in a wheelchair. It seems that the few of our decent young Blackmen and women join the military. And the professionals move away. So who do our kids still in “The Hood” have to look up too, the gangs, their welfare baby mommas, the drug dealers, the crackheads, the group of unemployed young men just standing around…….Sometimes I wonder, is this the year 2011…???? And is this country still the United States of America…? Cause we are looking more and more like Haiti everyday. We are even losing what is left of “The Hood”. Them Whites folks are back. Not coming back. They are back with their Asian allies………

  • Anonymous

    Come  on Doc. She , like the rest of America’s “have nots’ should ‘ve waited on the soon to be cure all- vouchers. Heck it freed up land for Revitalization. Surely it will uplift the Dumb poor folk.

  • Andrea

    Here is a mother that loves her children so much that she would do everything so they can have the best in life and she is getting punished for that and Casey Anthony is getting the good life for killing her child I just don`t understand this world anymore

  • Douglas

    Folks, we need to wisen up. When you break the white man’s law, you’ll pay dearly for it. When the infraction is committed by a black person, they are uninterested in the motivation for the infraction. We are always too stuck on making emotional arguments.  We live in a White man’s country under laws he enacts and enforces. How much justice do we think we’ll get from such a system?

    The Sister, despite her good intention for her Children’s sake, did violate their law. That’s all the argument white folks would present to support whatever draconian verdict they hand out. When white people devise an evil plan, they have a tendency to mask it in what appears to be a good cause, and then back it up with law. On the surface, it would appear to be a reasonable and common sense policy, but underneath it lies the real evil of their intent. Because we fail to be smart, we always get caught with our hands on the cookie jar.

    By now, we ought to know that the white man’s mentality, his very nature, revolves around control and subjugation. Since he can no longer put shackles around people’s neck and force them to work on plantations, he’ll incacerate as many as possible with the backing of the law, and still achieve his desire goal of enslaving people one way or the other. This is why just about everything is a felony so that people have a record that follows them everywhere and as such makes them unemployable, poor, desperate, and likely to steal or committ fraud.    

    We as black people should start doing things and stop talking too much. I am an Engineer by Profession, but I am preparing to be certified as a teacher by the end of the year so I can teach middle or high school, specifically one with high minority population. This past year, I signed up as a substitute teacher in the Florida public school where my wife teaches children with Autism. There is an extreme shortage of black male teachers in the public school system. Because of my work, I managed to work at least one day a week in the public schools as a substitute. When I had my vacation, I substituted for an entire week in different schools, and believe me, public schools are a mess, and children are not being properly educated. They don’t even take books home with them to review the materials they worked on in class. Some teachers have no business being teachers people. As for our children, they have big challenges. I don’t even think they are a concern of the schools in our school district, and I live in Saint Cloud, Florida, which is redneck country proper. Sadly, many of our kids are there acting like fools. Many attend schools out of zone by virtue of a parent who works in the school district. However, when they step out of line once too often, their out of zone waiver is revoked and they are yanked out of the better school and sent to schools in their zones.

    Lately, what I have seen is an effort to push black children out of the schools and have them sent to alternative schools because of ‘behavioral problems’.

    To be continued shortly…..

     

  • Boyd565

    This is so messed up on so many level’s, First why are the schools so terrible on the black side of town and so good were the womens father lives.2. this women is going to be put in a position were she cant fill her dream of teaching. The president  should step in and wipe her slate clean.
    @bac7e2d38b098c836246538ba50e5f8e:disqus