In my play, I just wanted to talk about how different black boys have to see the world when it comes to them doing a crime. That it's not a punishment that they need but just help or support.
By Trinity McCook
Science Leadership Academy, 11 grade (Block)
CHARACTERS
Kena
Very educated African American woman, 30 years old.
She was born and raised in Philly.
Graduated from Temple University.
Founder of the program “Yeah Philly”.
She lost her brother at the hand of the police and is looking to get justice, but instead of for her brother getting justice for the black men and women around that really need someone.
Jah
A 16-year-old black boy from West Philly.
He didn’t really grow up with that much of a father figure in his life, which caused him not to do too well mentally.
He started shoplifting and hanging with the wrong crowd of people.
Judge Kevin
Judge Kevin is a 60 year- old white man.
He has been working in the juvenile court system for 12 years.
He grows up in the heart of North Carolina.
He grow up in a home where his parents were racist and didn't care about the ways they would talk to people or think of them.
Kevin carried on these traits, but now using this power that he has now as a judge.
SETTING DESCRIPTIONS
The Courtroom
It is around the time of his lunch but he has one more case to work out before he can get here. He sits in his office behind the court where he then looks over the files of his next case already making his decision.
Kena has walked into the juvenile justice courthouse. Into a courtroom that was small and filled with at least 20 people. The judge, Jah, the person she is coming to support, the people on the jury, the one police and Kena, and her team and his family. She was determined to help this young kid get out of jail into her program and up on his feet so he wouldn’t be back in this situation.
Jah is in the courthouse, sitting in a chair. Where all you see is mostly white men and women walking around in suits and skirts, smiling. In a small hallway with one police officer to watch over him.
ACT I, SCENE I
KENA
Good morning family! I am here to help and support Jah in this place of despair. In this courthouse, we love and have to come out and support these young kids because some of these judges don't think they have an army behind them.
( she stops and greets her self to Jah who she hasn’t seen in a couple of months and hands him a paper )
Hey kid, I hope everything has been going well for you in there, you shouldn’t be in there for much longer. Just know that we got you. I am giving you this paper for you to read over. (She stops to look around and moves in closer). This is for you and I need you to really look at it because this is what will help you get where you need to be when you leave here with our support, Lots of opportunities, that you probably thought you couldn’t have, and know you have your motivation.
( As time goes on she starts to realize that the judges are not really giving Jah the realistic changes that a young black boy needs other than just putting them in jail with no actual support. So when the “trial” is over they proceed outside where she makes a statement.)
*she starts to type on her phone.*
As I sat in that courtroom today to support Jah in this time of downfall I couldn’t help but notice that the jail didn’t even give this young man a fair chance. Giving the person on the other side more of the floor than the young man fighting for his right. It’s this system supposed to help these kids and get them to places where they need to be, so they can be better? And not just shutting them down every time they get a chance if they can’t get them on the street? There are plenty of programs out there to help them. Just like my program “YEAH Philly” but they rather put them in some place where they get isolated with no help? What is this system really for?
( she makes sure she posts it on social media for everyone to hear and directly tags the judge in the courthouse. As she walks away.)
ACT I, SCENE II
(A courtroom. The defendant, Jah, a young black male. He is dressed ina suit, looking both anxious and determined.)
JAH
Damn, I can’t believe I’m in here again. Time and time again where I said I would change my ways but I don’t. My momma always says that she gon be by my side with whatever happens in here but when I’m out in the real world I really got nobody. Is that my problem?
(He sees Kena walk into the courtroom. )
Oh wow, she really came, I didn’t know that she would really support me, thought she was all talk. (as he smirks at the thought in his head ) maybe I do get that support that I really needed today.
(he is told to get up and walk into the courtroom)
Damn, this judge again there’s no way this gon go well. He wants nothing but to hurry up and get on with the next person so he can go on about his day. Is there even a real point for me to get a trial? If I already know ain’t nothing changing?
( Kena hands him a piece of paper)
As I read over this paper I think about how I’m really going to be able to get any other opportunities. Well, I have caught a couple of cases for shoplifting and they have all been dismissed. Do you think my state of mind is not being at its best and the jury around could see that. But I wasn’t given the true hell that I needed and I fell back into my old ways. This lady must be crazy or is she really on to something? I really need space, somewhere I can find my true self where people actually care about me. I need that in my life to help me get the true change of mindset that I need.
ACT I, SCENE III
(The play represents what most black men have to go through when they go to court facing these unruly judges who don’t care for them.)
( As his secretary walks in)
JUDGE KEVIN
Ugh, this is my last case before my break. We need to make this quick, one I’m hungry and I already looked over his files, and he is a black male so you already know what that means. ( The timer goes off for him to walk into the courtroom). Order in the court! We shall now begin the trial of Jah vs. Mr. Carnal. The city you can start. ( As Mr.Kel’s lawyer pleads with their side of the case, he keeps note of the key point that they make.)
*The Jubge thinks*
There is no way for this boy to do anything but go to Juvey. Being a judge in an area where “Black” crime is so high, when I make my decision I don’t have to put much thought into it. Yes, we all know that these crimes are committed by some of them who don’t have the best background but what can I say “You do the crime, you do the time”.
(As the trial goes on Jah’s lawyer pleads his defendant's case.)
ACT I, SCENE IIII
(3 months later on Jah’s 6-month sentence he was let out for early release on good behavior. Before Jah had been released from juvenile detention, he sat on his barely paded bed, grabbed his notebook and began to write. He leaves to go and meet Ms. Kena to talk about how he is going to stay on this good behavior outside of the cell, after trying to get in contact with his mom but not having any luck now thinking that he just has himself family-wise.)
JAH
They say justic is blind, but I can’t help but feel like it can see the color of my skin all too clearly. I am just a 16-year-old bot who has made a mistake. But now, here I am, confined within these four walls.
(He leans back looking up at the ceiling, and begans to speak out loud to himself.)
Yes I know I was wrong for what I had done but who would have done it for me? Around that time I had no one, I was even surprised to see my mom that day in court. I haven't seen her since. No visits, not even a call.
(he continues to write in his notebook)
All I need is love, a sight of support, a father figure, a figure at all. But even in the darkness, a flicker of hope still remains. Being in here is hell, I have none of thoes things, in here they are treating me as if i’m nothing. I thought this was supposed to be a place for me to better myself but it seems at time that things are only getting worse. But I will not let that thought overthrow me.
ACT II, SCENE I
(The "Yeah Philly" program house's humble living room. There is an overwhelming feeling of anxious excitement and expectations in the air. Jah, a young black man who was just freed from detention, wanders restlessly. Kena, a determined young woman, nervously adjusts her clothing. While Jah was in jail, they kept in touch through letters, but this was their first in-person encounter.)
JAH
(Jah walks up and starts ro be a little confused because he has never been here before.)
Oo damb what's this place it's hella nice. It sounds like a lot of people there. Lets hope she remembers that I am here. This woman is my beacon of light in my darkness when I was sucked into those 4 walls. I can hardly believe that I'm here.
(He rings the doorbell and looks around to admire a scene that he hasn’t been able to see for a couple of months. Takes a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart. )
KENA
(Kena walks up to open the door)
Omg Hey, Jah! I’m so glad to see you, come on in. So before we go into the open area there are a couple other kids in our program. They are friendly and most likely will talk you head off to get to know you.
(They head towards the living room, where there is a small table of refreshments.)
JAH
Kena… it’s really you!?
(He thinks in his head. While suddenly having a big smile on his face)
The one who really believed in me, even when the world turned its back.?
Oh that's fine, I think I need that right now. I never really had no one to really talk to about my life so I hope you are ready to listen, lol. I just can’t find the words to express to you how grateful I am.
KENA
Jah, you have overcome so much in your life, and this is just the beginning. We will continue to do whatever it is that we need to do to ensure you never go back there again. And give you the support that the government should be giving kids like you but instead they are failing you.
JAH
(Nods, his voice determined)
You're right. We all have a purpose in this life and I have to find my own. With just a little help of encouragement, I will be one of the voices for the voiceless, an advocate for those who don’t have that voice, but need to be heard.
KENA
(smiling, her voice filled with hope)
Welcome to “Yeah Philly”, Jah. I want you to always remember that this is just the beginning of our journey together. We as a team will rewrite this narrative and create a brighter future for you.
JAH
(smiles back, feeling way more comfortable than before.)
I'm ready.!