I'm Gonna Take Their Kingdom Down! Part 2

by Sandra Brown and Fiona Gow

My familiarity with Juvenile Dependency Court started almost three years ago, I was living in a shelter and with great love and sorrow, I decided to place my daughter in a children's shelter for five days. I put her in this situation because I caught scabies and it was contagious and I was concerned that I would infect her.

With no family to turn to, and no home of my own, this decision was the best I could make for my little girl. Within days CPS attained possession of my child, took her out of the shelter, and sentenced her to foster care. To date, she has been detained in four different foster homes. My daughter currently resides at The Edgewood Center for Children and Families.

At my last court date I had more in a series of disrespectful encounters with court officials. I have a strong presence and people take notice when I walk into a room. Even so, I work very hard to maintain my dignity in these courtrooms. I wanted the judge to know how serious I was and informed her that I had fired my court appointed attorney because I felt my attorney was not accurately representing me.

The judge, probably enraged at the determination she saw within me, yelled at me, "You can’t just go around firing lawyers!" Her's was one of the many voices that shot like needles into me. All of my experiences with these people who were supposedly there to help had been filled with pain. But I am not one to back down and in this battle I continue to gather my strength.

I responded to her angry words, "Yes I can. It’s my legal right." Did this judge not realize how serious this battle was to me? I could not have someone I did not trust representing me in the most important battle of my life.

At this last court date, the Juvenile Dependency Court judge kicked me out her courtroom because I too persistently asked her for the meaning of a word. She had used a word I didn’t understand in speaking of me to the City Attorney and I felt it was my right to know what was being said. This was only one in a long line of disrespectful experiences had had within this court.

I am also very upset about the representation my child has received. I feel that her attorney has presented false information about her. This attorney has never checked on the safety of my child in the 2 years that she has been her attorney. What kind of attorney is this?

My opinion is that the attorneys and judges who work with the Department of Social Services, the Family and Juvenile Courts, Juvenile Probation officials, Mental Health Clinic workers, the S.F. Police Department, the S.F. District Attorney, the Foster Care Licensing Agency, and the S.F. Unified School District and Board of Education all provide false representation. They may be smiling, going to church with us, or even working with us, but underneath I feel they are destroying our children.

Watch out for these people who say that they are there to help. They are everywhere… They hold different positions in the City departments, community organizations and centers, and drug programs. They may work as mental health counselors or work in churches, temples, hospitals, and schools. Some of them may even be your family members and family friends. So watch out!

December 4th, 2001 was my daughter’s birthday. She is still not with me. Who did she celebrate her birthday with? Who did I celebrate her birthday with? How am I to endure this? How am I to overcome this struggle?

For answers I find myself looking to the Bible. I want to suggest to others in facing similar hardship that you get your Bible and read Ezekiel 23:36-48, about the wicked mothers. Genesis 19:1-11 is also very relevant as is St. Luke 18:15-6 where the disciples refuse the little children. Lastly, I suggest that you read all of Jude.

This biblical background reminds me of the book about Mary McCloud Bethune. The book tells of how her 12 brothers and sisters were sold into slavery like animals. I feel that my experience with the Department of Social Services, Foster Care Licensing, the Juvenile Courts, Family Courts and Children’s medical facilities parallels Mary McCloud Bethune’s story. I am experiencing the modern day version of having my children sold into slavery.

These injustices have been going on in our communities for over 50 years and no one has had the courage to challenge them. But with Jesus Christ directing me I will, as Rosa Parks did, take a stand. I must, because our future existence is at stake! We as a people must rid our communities of all false things, running them out and praying fervently to denounce the demonic curses placed on our families, our churches, and our organizations.

I am making a plead to every Born Again Christian to take up your shield of faith, your breast plate of righteousness and truth, your feet of peace, your helmet of salvation, your sword of the spirit. Take the word of God to claim and walk and talk in victory for our children. Bless our mother country Africa from now on. Please contact us at 921-4935 to join the Victorious movement of Rebuilding our communities.