Retired Akron Judge James R. Williams, who died at age 88 ten days ago, was one of the first African-Americans appointed as a U.S. attorney in the entire country. In 1978 President Jimmy Carter appointed him to the position for the Northern District of Ohio. That was 42 years ago and there has not been another person of color in that position since, no matter if the administration in Washington is Democratic or Republican. This would be a great time to rectify this oversight.
One of the biggest complaints of minorities is that the Democratic Party courts us assiduously during election cycles but our loyalty to the party often goes overlooked when the time comes to cut the slices of the victory pie; we’re often left with an empty plate. Hopefully the incoming Biden/Harris administration will acknowledge the important role persons of color played in saving the country from the clutches of an insane would-be despot and will reward us accordingly.
The process for the naming of federal attorneys is not complicated: Senators from the various states in which the districts lie submit the name of the individual they support for the position and the administration makes the final determination; but rare is the case in which the proffered name is not approved. It’s up to Senator Sherrod Brown to help level the legal playing field by nominating a person of color for the position of U.S. Attorney.
So, while I realize that many highly qualified lawyers are probably throwing their hats into the ring for the job (and only one can be selected), in light of how important fairness in the criminal justice system has become of late, nominating a person of color would send a clear and positive message that minority concerns are going to take center stage in the upcoming Administration.
This is not to infer that a white attorney can’t or won’t be sensitive to the concerns of minorities, it’s just that fair is fair and 42 years has been a long time.
One Response to “MANSFIELD: Fair Is Fair”
Peter Lawson Jones
Good evening, Mansfield. I had no idea that Judge Williams had passed. Was there any mention of his death in the PD? If not, what an absolute disgrace. R.I.P., Judge Williams. Happy Thanksgiving, Mansfield.