by 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.












