More Uncle Tomfoolery from the STL Black Political Class: Jimmy Edwards
Judge Jimmy Edwards acquired a local reputation in STL for himself by serving as an “advocate” for “troubled youths” meaning black kids from North Saint Louis. Now, remember, when bourgeois rags like the Saint Louis Post-Dispatch/Disgrace call someone an “advocate”, you should do a thorough investigation of their background, statements and record. Real advocates for the masses do not sit on benches or in prosecutors offices (looking at you Wes Bell) and help lock up black people. Real advocates for the masses do not work polling booths or pass out petitions begging for crumbs from the imperialists’ table. Real advocates for the masses do not fear the masses and hide out in gentrified watering holes on Cherokee or Washington Avenue from which those they claim to work on behalf of are systematically excluded. Real advocates for the masses do not attend Democratic precinct and ward meetings. Real advocates for the masses do not promote the good cop myth or defend the structure of policing which is racist from root to highest branch.
Jimmie Edwards was rightfully criticized by Blake Strode, a local civil rights attorney renowned for his work with ArchCity Defenders, in the October 23rd edition of the Saint Louis American which, petty-bourgeois aspirations and respectability politics aside, is usually a reliable source for news that the white press in STL does not cover.
In his article Strode takes Edwards to task for his hypocritical support of mandatory minimum sentences for violent crime (specifically ACA, or Armed Criminal Action) from 3 years to 15 to 25 years. Edwards stupidly claims that this will reduce gun violence in the city of Saint Louis? How? Everyone with a brain knows that violent crime happens not because of an influx of guns or a laxity in sentencing, but because of lack of economic opportunity, jobs, and adequate living conditions which lead many people to seek escapism through drug use. In short, where you find capitalism, you will find violent crime. Violent crime in our streets will not be eradicated until black working class and dispossessed youth are masters of our own fate.
When a slumlord is breathing down your back to pay exorbitant rent for a ridiculously subpar living space and jobs underpay and rip you off and there is no food in your half broken fridge, what are you going to do? Suffer, starve and die? Jimmy Edwards became a hardcore enemy of the people as soon as he put on a black robe and picked up a gavel. He wants black youth to spend 15 to 25 years in prison thinking this will stop the violence. He is one hundred and fifty percent complicit in the continued exploitation and prison enslavement of our people. He is violent. He is nothing more than a running dog and lackey for the white supremacist ruling class in our city, along with fellow lapdogs Police Chief John Hayden, Saint Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell, and Board of Alderman President Louis Reed. We must be perfectly clear, violence will not cease until socialism exists and we have imposed our will through force on enemies of our class. Part of this imposition of our will is exposing and struggling against all colors of pigs riding on our backs. Jimmie Edwards grew up in Pruitt-Igoe.
Undoubtedly he was familiar with the organizing activity of revolutionary organizations in STL during this time period who took initiative when the pipes froze and burst. Undoubtedly he was familiar with the struggles of this community against the police. Undoubtedly he saw the suffering of our people and witnessed the successful organizing efforts of public housing residents in our city. He saw all of this, yet still chose the path of the running dog. He still sees incarceration as being the solution to Black people’s problems. He could have chosen the path of the Panther, but instead chose the mud ditch of the pig. He deserves no mercy or sparing the rod of people’s power and justice.
