|  "What's
needed is a clear mind"
An interview with Keith LaMar (AKA Bomani Shakur)
By
Kevin Lowery, Prisonersolidarity.org
Dec. 5, 2007
The following is a follow-up interview between Kevin Lowery
and his cousin, Keith LaMar (AKA Bomani Shakur), who is a death-row
prisoner at the supermax facility in Youngstown, Ohio. Keith was
sentenced to death for his alleged leadership role in the 1993 prison
uprising at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility (SOCF) in Lucasville,
Ohio. He has from the very beginning professed his innocence and
is awaiting the final ruling from the courts as to whether or not
he will receive a new trial. Lowery's first interview with LaMar
is archived, here.
KEVIN:
So, how's everything been going, Bomani? It's been awhile since
our last interview. How are you holding up?
BOMANI:
I'm doing as best as can be expected under the circumstances. As
always, I must credit my family and friends for keeping me among
of the living. If it wasn't for them, I would be.....in a different
place.
KEVIN:
That sounds ominous. "A different place..." What do you
mean by that?
BOMANI:
Oh, no, I didn't mean it like that (smiling). I just meant that
I'd be in a different frame of mind, that's all. I'm far from suicidal,
my friend.
KEVIN: Well, that's good to hear. I'm sure it must
be difficult to maintain your equilibrium sometimes, given what
you have to contend with, but it's good to know that you are able
to draw strength from friends and family.
BOMANI:
Well, isn't that what family is for, to be there for each other
through the good and the bad?
KEVIN:
Of course. That's great that you're doing well. However, what's
been going on with your case?
BOMANI:
I just came back from an evidentiary hearing in July, and that went
incredibly well....better than any of us expected. I mean, the judge
was exceptionally attentive and accommodating. He even took the
time to thank my family and friends for coming out to support me.
So it went great, all the way around the board, really. I went back
to present evidence as to why I was entitled to equitable tolling
on my habeas petition, as well as evidence to substantiate my claim
that the state improperly withheld exculpatory evidence during my
trial. And I think my attorneys did an excellent job representing
those issues.
KEVIN:
That's good that you feel that way. If I remember correctly, you
weren't always so confident in your attorneys' abilities. Is that
an accurate statement?
BOMANI:
Not entirely. Look, I was concerned when the judge initially recommended
that my petition be dismissed. But my contention has always been
that my attorneys filed everything on time, based on the law at
the time. I was concerned, that's all. I mean, when you get right
down to it, my life is on the line. That being the case, I have
every right to be concerned. But it's not a lack of confidence,
no. I believe my attorneys are above average, even exceptional.
Nevertheless, I think this death-row litigation is very tricky and
can stump even the best.
KEVIN: If I can go back a bit. You said you went
back to prove that you were entitled to "equitable tolling."
For those of us who are not aware of what that means, why don't
you elaborate a little.
BOMANI: Sure. Equitable tolling is.....well, let
me approach it this way. When you file your petition, you have a
certain amount of time to do so. But sometimes, through no fault
of your own, things occur that might prevent you from filing within
the allotted time. If you can show where this is the case, the court
can be fair (i.e. "equitable") and stop (i.e. "toll")
the time, or calculate it from the point where you ran into the
unforeseen trouble that prevented you from filing on time. Does
that make sense?
KEVIN:
So if you don't file on time, but can show why you were delayed,
through no fault of your own, then the courts can take that into
consideration and recalculate the time in which your petition is
due. Is that what you mean?
BOMANI:
Wow, I couldn't have said it better myself (smiling). Yes, that's
basically it. You see, about a month or so before my petition was
due, my attorneys thought it would be prudent to revisit a state
court issue that hadn't been fully exhausted. Based on the law at
the time, we pursued it correctly. However, the state disagrees
and claims to believe that we operated outside the scope of the
law or "new law," I should say, which they felt should
be applied retroactively.
KEVIN: I see. Why didn't you just say that (smiling)?!
But seriously, this is very technical stuff we're talking about.
Serious stuff.
BOMANI: Yes, yes...very serious stuff.
KEVIN: It was just reported that the ABA (American
Bar Association) called on Governor Ted Strickland to implement
a death penalty moratorium. What are your thoughts on that?
BOMANI: I think it's a very brave step in the right
direction. I mean, we all know that this system is flawed, so yes,
before the state continues to murder people, steps should be taken
to see that these sentences are at least administered without errors.
Of course, the OPAA (Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association) thinks
that everything is just fine the way it is. You know, it's hard
to convince people when it's their job to take a certain position.
However, you would have to be blind to believe that the criminal
justice system operates fairly. And when it comes to the death penalty,
the disparities are even more alarming when factors like race and
economics come into play. You would have to be blind to think that
the way in which this system presently functions is just. Please!
KEVIN: I hear you, but what do you think will be
the outcome of the ABA coming out in support of a moratorium?
BOMANI: As I said, I think it's a courageous step
in the right direction. However, it's going to take people mobilizing
on the grassroots level to really effect the kind of change needed.
You can't change the law unless the people demand it. And that's
what it's going to take.
KEVIN:
Well, I certainly understand why you would feel that way. But when
you have people like Senator Shirley Smith of Cleveland, and U.S.
Representative Stephanie Tubbs, et al., lending their support to
a moratorium, that has to speak volumes, does it not?
BOMANI: Well, yes, it speaks volumes. These are
the people who are in a position to apply the real political pressure
that can get the law changed. But they need the backing of the people.
We have to work together.
KEVIN: Speaking of working together, there was
a big rally in Columbus, Ohio recently...about a thousand people
or so, all protesting the death penalty. What are your thoughts
on that?
BOMANI: I think it's great! I think that's the
kind of mobilization that's going to turn this whole thing around.
Whenever people come together to speak truth to power, that's the
beginning of revolution.
KEVIN: I hope so. Aside from the death penalty,
there's a lot wrong within society that needs attention. As you
know, I work with young people, or what some people describe as
"troubled youth," and it's been my experience from working
with these young people that we have to get involved in a way that
touches them on a personal level. Otherwise, there's a big disconnect
and nothing changes.
BOMANI: What's the name of your organization again,
Urban Exposure? Well, yeah, I definitely agree with you that people
have to get involved in a way that touches lives. That almost sounds
like a "no-brainer," but I know that it doesn't always
come across as that.
KEVIN: No, you're right, it should be a no-brainer.
If we don't get involved in the lives of our children, what can
we hope for in the future? Will there even be a future? So, what
I'm trying to do is take these so-called "troubled youth"
and expose them to experiences that they wouldn't necessarily have
in their communities, and then provide them with the mentality,
the outlook, they'll need to take those experiences and make them
a part of their lives.
BOMANI:
I feel you. It may be too late for cats like me who are buried so
deep in this madness, but an attempt must be made to save future
generations from going down this road.
KEVIN:
Prisons are becoming a rite of passage for these young people, especially,
these young black men. It's sad.
BOMANI: Well, it's beyond sad Kevin. And one of
the major things people have to wake up and realize is that future
generations (our children!!) have already been written off. We should
be very upset about that. I mean, people are being thrown away,
man. That's where we're at now. Someone has decided that we no longer
matter, and so the answer is to just throw us away, lock us up in
prison. It's a crime.
KEVIN: I agree. But I also think that we have a
responsibility to these young people to see that they don't get
thrown away, as you say. I think that has to become our job, our
life's work, to save future generations from going to prison and
ending up on somebody's death row.
BOMANI: No doubt. I just wrote an essay to be shared
with young college students about abolishing prisons. Angela Davis
wrote a book called, ARE PRISONS OBSOLETE?, which puts forth the
premise that an alternative to incarceration must be sought. And
what I basically argue is that before the prison can be abolished,
we have to first abolish the system that makes prisons necessary.
I really think we have to get rid of this whole thing before we
can talk about changing things.
KEVIN: You mean get rid of the system of capitalism?
BOMANI: Yeah, and I'm not saying that I know the
correct route to take from there, but any system that allows the
wealthiest 1 percent to own close to 50 percent of all the wealth
and resources has to be corrupt. So, yeah, I'm for doing away with
the whole, this whole system. Period.
KEVIN: I see. But what are the alternatives? When
you look at communist countries, they've all failed, with the exception
of China and Cuba. And I don't know that Cuba can be counted as
a success. So what are the alternatives?
BOMANI: Well, first of all, I wouldn't classify
Cuba as a failure. When you consider the amount of pressure that
has been applied on that country by the U.S. I think it's something
of a victory that they haven't been completely destroyed, although
there has been extraordinary casualties as a result of the embargo
that the U.S. has placed on them. Look. I'm not an expert on these
things, but it seems to me that if these people were allowed to
function without the limitations that the U.S. government has placed
on them they would be doing far better then what they are doing.
That's all I'm saying.
KEVIN: No, I hear you, and it does seem like the
U.S. has expended a great deal of time and money trying to prove
them wrong, which sort of makes it seem as though they are doing
something right to be able to survive. I see what you mean.
BOMANI: All I'm saying is that we (poor people)
have to look at an alternative to a system that has left us bankrupt.
KEVIN: I feel you, and I don't disagree. Here recently,
we have we have the incident in Louisiana: The Jena 6. It's amazing
that we still see things like this.
BOMANI: You're talking about the students...about
how they were treated by the police and whatnot? Or do you mean
the nooses?
KEVIN: All of it. I think it's a sad commentary
on American society that this type of thing is still a part of the
social landscape. What, are we still in the 1800s or what?
BOMANI: That's interesting that you would say that. You
sound shocked. And I guess it is in a way shocking. But then again,
what could be more shocking than the way the U.S. government treated
the victims of Hurricane Katrina? After that, nothing should come
as a surprise. The beautiful thing is that people came you in droves
to protest. And you see what the outcome was. I'm telling you, that's
what needs to happen around every social issue of today. People
have to get off their ass and give a damn, man. Real talk. Why are
we sitting back accepting this? It doesn't make sense.
KEVIN: No, it doesn't make sense; but unfortunately, we
have to end on that note. We'll have to pick this up another time.
As always,it was good to talk to you Bomani. I really mean that.
I know it's hard, but try to remain optimistic. You've been waiting
a long time now, so let's hope that good things come to you from
that, my friend.
BOMANI: Well, I really appreciate the sentiment. I know
it's heartfelt. Personally, I don't think it makes much sense to
be optimistic or pessimistic. What's needed is a clear mind, empty
of emotion. Ultimately, this is bigger than what might happen to
me, Bomani Shakur. I know that. So my focus is on making a contribution,
to pick up where brothas like George Jackson left off. That's where
I'm coming from. My life only matters if I can save somebody from
having to go through this madness. If I can't do that, I've failed.
KEVIN: That's a noble way to look at it.
BOMANI: To me, that's the only way to look at it.
KEVIN: Well, any parting words for those who you
seek to save?
BOMANI: I'd like to just quote a few lines from
this poem by Tennyson. My mind has been centered on these words
for the past few weeks, and I think they speak to the state of mind
we should be in as we go forward: "Tho' much is taken, much
abides; and tho' we are not now that strength which in old days
moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are; one equal temper
of heroic hearts, made weak by time and fate, but strong in will.
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield."
KEVIN: And we'll close with that.
BOMANI: No doubt. Peace in the middle east! (smiling)
Peace in the inner city, too!
KEVIN: Peace in Africa!
BOMANI: Sho' nuff!
Keith
LaMar, # R 317-117
(aka. Bomani Shakur)
BOX 1436
Youngstown,
OH 44501
---
Kevin Lowery, Keith LaMar's cousin, conducted this interview.
When
writing to Keith, please send him a pre-embossed stamped envelope
so that he can promptly answer your letter. He is not permitted
adhesive stamps, that is, regular stamps.
You
may contact Keith LaMar directly by writing to them at the addresses
listed above. The following link offers tips for writing to prisoners:
http://prisonersolidarity.org/TipsForWritingPrisoners.htm
|
