Kemba Smith's Life Story To Become A Feature Film
If you don't know who Kemba Smith is, you should. Read about her story here and her foundation here. Ms. Smith's story could be any woman's story, any woman's nightmare. Her life should make a great movie. Even if you don't feel sympathetic to her story, you must admit she has made extremely productive use of her second chance at real life.
9 comments:
you know, this is really an interesting story concerning her life. once i filtered through the lies, and gossip connected to the truth of the matter it really touched my heart.
i heard about this right after it happened. being that she was at Hampton (Go Pirates!)- i was very interested in what happened to her.
i am so glad that she was pardoned by clinton--that was a very good move on his part. being that women in these types of situations are usually picked up by the police because they cannot find the guy that was the real target. in her case, he was off somewhere in washington state i beleive--got caught up in something and was killed there. she did not know any better being raised so sheltered-and he knew the right words and actions to pull her an many other women in to him also, she was not the only one-she was in so deep under this mans control she would not listen to the people that were trying to help her--in too deep. plus i truly believe she was terrified by this man. thank God she never killed anyone while with him.
and i am very happy that she has her life back and has and still is growing from this experience. that she is not sitting around living as a victim everyday of her life seeking pity.
thanks prof for posting her story--it needs to get out to as many young ladies as possible! its an old game these cons play--and there are new and fresh women to target every day. I pray the Lord uses her mightly.
I wondered whatever happened to Kemba Smith. Thanks for the post.
I am glad that her story will be told.
I read about her in a magazine some months ago (was it Essence? Can't remember...) She's actually wants to be an attorney-she may be in law school, or working towards it.
I'm so happy that her life is back on track. Thank God for second chances and opportunities.
I'm actually glad that she was given clemency instead of a pardon.
What I am tired of hearing about is how "innocent" and "good" she was. What compelled her to get pregnant by a known drug dealer? Why did she get involved with him in the first place? Why did she leave with him knowing that he was a fugitive? She could have been killed by someone wanting to settle a score with her drug-dealing boyfriend.
In a small town like Hampton and on the campus, I find it very difficult to believe that a woman as smart as Ms. Smith could have been duped by a drug dealer.
I believe she is in Law School, but I am not sure that she'll be able to become a practicing attorney because her drug conviction still stands.
She does deserve credit, however, for taking control of her life and making things happen for a positive outcome for her and her son. I sincerely hope that everything works out for the best for her.
she got duped because she never had the chance to interact with different types of people while growing up. so she did not have anything to go by to alert her that he should have been off limits--Yes she should have been "backing up" when he first starting his game on her.
being book smart does not give a person common sense.
i've seen it all before too many times.
she met him at an off-campus party.
he "turned her out". we all know of people- men and women that have been turned out by someone who knew exactly what they were doing.
i think her law degree is to be more of an advocate with law knowledge than a lawyer. her mission and foundation is working with different aspects of social issues and ills that plague women and children.
a good girl by her parents standards probably meant, good grades, go to church, don't get into trouble at school or with the police.
i graduated from hampton--there were plenty of trolls (some students-some not) roaming around looking to take from anyone they could con. straight, gay, polka dot...they do not care.
if they are on a mission to use you and abuse you for their pleasures.
in this case he was not s student at hampton univ.
hopefully the young women that hear her story and her speeches will learn from them.
all we can do is provide them with the information and the rest is up to the young folk.
Thanks so much for mentioning Kemba! I do remember this story a long time ago! It's is wonderful to see that she has moved forward and is committed to empowering others!
Good for her!
Lisa
http://blackwomenblowthetrumpet.blogspot.com
Wisdom,
I get what you're saying, but not many people I know, specifically in the black middle class, interacted with people who were different from them.
At what point should Kemba have decided to check this brother out? He was well known on the campus, but not a student... that should have (or would have for me) sent up a red flag.
The rest went downhill from there. I can almost assure you that this girl wanted a thug and found one. Turning out aside, she would have to be considered an invalid before I could believe that she was completely out of control. She was sprung, yes. Turned out, possibly. Out of control? No. She served 6 years; I think that was long enough to have taugh her a very harsh lesson.
She was well aware of what was going on with him, but did not deserve to be imprisoned for 24 years for his crimes. That is the reason she was granted a clemency (forgives the penalty) instead of a pardon (forgives crime and penalty).
oh no, blkseagoat, i fully understand where you are coming from. and it is very valid.
for me also..a BIG red flag...and i met women like him and some men--and for me, I Was Backing UP all the way from them.
i was not trying to say that you were wrong, just giving you another view that i have heard from young women who have been in similar situations.
and i sat there listening to them holding my mouth closed so i wouldn't say--WHAT THE *UCK IF WRONG WITH YOU??!!
i guess for some once they realize they are in too deep, they have some fear that it's too late to retreat/back up/RUN.
they actually feel this way...i can't comprehend it either, but i still try to have heart for them and help the best i can.
and i agree also that the time she spent in jail was far too long for her participation on whatever level it was on.
but i am happy that "she got it" - it clicked and she did not come out of jail still acting foolish as some others do.
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