Sample letters to governor Rick Perry

Rick Perry, Governor,

Office of the Governor
P.O. Box 12428
Austin, Texas 78711-2428

Re: Shaquanda Cotton

Dear Sir;

This letter is in response to a story published in the March 12^th 2007 issue of the Chicago Tribune regarding the continued confinement of Shaquanda Cotton of Paris Texas. I am simply infuriated at the severity of the sentence imposed by Judge Chuck Superville. The incident initially considered a misdemeanor, was elevated to a felony, and Judge Superville imposed an indeterminate sentence with one year certain, up to age 21. Yet despite the Lamar County’s District Attorney and his staff protestations to the contrary, one can only conclude that race and the efforts of the Shaquanda’s parent to receive equal treatment for Black children from the school Board and the administration of Paris High School. This action implies an attempt to squash legitimate dissent, a right guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States. Surely this is not something you would approve, nor any other true American.

Additionally, once Shaquanda was remanded to the custody of the Texas Youth Commission, that initial callousness was further compounded by treating Ms Cotton, diagnosed since age 7 with attention hyperactivity deficit disorder (AHDD), with the drug seratraline (Zoloft). This drug, based on a public warning issued by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA), indicated an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior with the use of this antidepressant medication, especially if the recipient was under 18 years old. Shaquanda has since been recorded as having three attempted suicides in the course of the 11 months she has been incarcerated. Shaquanda Cotton, I may add has never been arrested or charged with any other crime previously, at most, a few minor infractions of school rules. Does wearing her skirt one inch too short or pouring too much paint in a cup, deserve such an overwhelming draconian response by the justice system in Paris Texas? I think you will agree with me that it does not.

This is situation is unconscionable, Mr. Governor, and I am sure that you, as the leader of the great state of Texas, want to see Shaquanda Cotton returned home, to recover her childhood, to grow up and become a fine upstanding citizen of whom we can all be proud. Send her home, now, and let her begin realize her fullest human possibilities.

Thank you.

Olajaymi

Chicago,Il

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( originally sent by Dwight Hunter)

http://exodusmentality.blogspot.com/2007/03/my-letter-to-exas-governor.html

In Re Shaquanda Cotton

Dear Sir,

No doubt you have received numerous communications regarding the outrageous sentence imposed on Shaquanda Cotton. I’ll not waste your time repeating any of the many reasons why this should not be happening. It appears that those cries for justice have thus far fallen on deaf ears.

There are times when both sides of a controversy have some merit. This is not one of those times. There is no rationale that any marginally humane individual could present that could justify what has been done to this child. This would never happen to my child or yours, yet you sit in silence while it happens to Shaquanda.

Let me be blunt sir. You have the authority to remedy this situation immediately. That is why I am contacting you. There may very well be other perhaps more “proper” channels for resolving this crisis, however you above all others in your state, are charged with the duty to maintain the order and welfare of the citizens of Texas. You can right this wrong with a stroke of your pen. That is what must be done immediately sir, or you will lose all moral authority by your acquiescence to and tacit participation in this shameful action.

I implore you to do the right thing and immediately order the release of this child, Shaquanda Cotton, who I now consider to be my daughter as well. This may well be your legacy, for good or for ill, in this life and the next.

Sincerely,