BLACK DIRTY EYES
Claire McDermoth and her husband John are 3rd generation European, criminal lawyers. They have seven kids on purpose by design. They are both in their late thirties. Their parents and grandparents are lawyers. Claire often articulates to students, colleagues, and to friends about the circumstances that compelled her into becoming the lawyer she is today. John and Claire McDermoth are proud Christians. They are involved in a multitude of high-profile cases. They serve underprivileged communities by doing Pro Bono. Claire and John own their own law firm together. They successfully help to change laws and lives, particularly for black people in criminal justice. They are asked to come to a prestigious law school to speak to law students and participate in a question-and-answer panel, as they often do.
Law Professor (Man):
It is with great honor to welcome you all to the 56th Annual “These Truths” Law Conference. Today you will be able to gain profound insight and wisdom as we embark on receiving Mr. and Mrs. McDermoth. Please keep questions to a limit of 2 minutes.
Law Student one (Female):
I am aware of the several books you've published. I wanted to know why you chose to study law and how you and Mr. McDermoth met. I also know about the Police Patrol Act. I am so excited to be a participant of that. Inspiration and courage is what you have given me. I am going to model my entire legal career after you. I believe in everything you are doing and have done to make our society more righteous and inclusive for all people. Can you please tell us how the Police Patrol Act was started?
Claire:
Thank you very much! I am truly humbled. I'll just answer for both of us since we are short of time. John and I were destined to be together. Our families are both from the South. We grew up together as neighbors and childhood friends. I don't speak about my personal life too much as an author for personal reasons. John and I come from a family of lawyers on both sides. We've been exposed to certain people, stories and situations. Both of our great grandparents were very racist, but they were practicing Christians. Their parents were slave owners. I am thankful my parents are the antithesis of my grandparents and their own grand- parents mentality. My mom and dad made a great choice to teach my siblings and I right from wrong, despite race or skin color. I absolutely see ugly stains of race and racism in everything. I've seen the lack of care black people received in the medical field. I've seen how economically uneven the playing field is for people who are not white. I know how heavy the weight of white supremacy has been on the backs of African American people, especially the men. My mom is the biggest influence in my life. She grew up in the fifties and sixties. She is my hero. She marched with Dr. King. My mother was very active in the Civil Rights Movement to liberate people that were being oppressed. I became passionate about those same causes. I am assigned by God to do the work I am doing. I am as bold as a lion to see African Americans who are treated less than human obtain freedom. We have family in law enforcement, as politicians and a lot of judges on both sides. I lobbied incessantly for the Police Patrol Act to become a law in the United States. It was time to dismantle the thickness of a system that was purposely racist and designed to keep non-white folks down. I had to do something about all the lives being flushed away right in our faces. The smell was bad! I could not have done it without a host of friends and family. I also had lots of law students and undergraduate students who were simply tired of the same old American hypocrisy. Together we did it! We used our white privilege to change indifference. You guys can do the exact same thing! Right now, in all 50 states, when a police officer arrest and interrogates American citizens, by law, an attorney and law student have to be present to observe. The law students who are practicing criminal law are given a stipend by the state for their service and school credit. We have seen a 90% decrease in false confessions, brutality, and in lawsuits. We the people, demanded that they change. I also see all people as God's creation. All life is meaningful. John went to Harvard. I chose Duke University.
Law Student two (Female):
I heard you and your husband worked as police officers before you went to law school for a few years? Can you speak on that? Is it true you have 7 kids? How do you manage family life and balance running a very efficacious law firm? You are one of the most loved individuals. There are also plenty of white people who loathe what you are doing. How do you handle all of that?
Claire:
Yes, John and I strategically had a 3–5-year plan to work as police officers then we planned on going to law school. We did it for 3 years. It prepared us with a really good head start in criminal law. We do have 7 blessed kids together. We have identical twin girls and 5 boys. We have the best supportive family you could ever ask for. Although some don't believe in or like the work we do in our families, they adore our children. I have a domination type of mind-set. If I set my mind to do anything it happens. I was pregnant with twins when I graduated from law school and passed the bar. John and I will ensure our legacy remain a solid foundation. All 7 of our children will be lawyers or work in the legal field by any means necessary. I faithfully could care less about all the white people who are afraid to live in their truth. Superiority is a lie our founding fathers gave birth to. Each time racism reigned whites were trained to do nothing about some of the things caused by them. There is a quote that I positively live bye. "The time is always ripe to drown the darkness and produce more light." God told me to let my light shine! That is what I intend on doing. I don't care who doesn't like it. Nothing can stop or block what God told me to rock, quite well! They can take that up with God! That is how I handle them. Thank you for your questions.
Law Student three (Male):
You mentioned earlier that law students and lawyers watch over the behaviors of the police. Do you hate police officers or something? I read a few of your books and I wasn't all that impressed. You didn't even really explain the process of the law you got passed. I want to know from you, as a white woman, why are you devoted to helping black people? Let their own people handle their issues. What about your own people? Blacks kill blacks all the time. They only have it hard because of the choices they make. I'm really curious as to why your entire life mission is focused on these black people.
Claire:
Excuse me, may I ask where are you from?
John:
Honey I can answer this one?
Claire:
No sir, I've got this John.
Law Student three (Male):
Where I am from is not relevant. Please just answer the questions. I have a class in 20 minutes.
Claire:
As far as the Police Patrol Act, students are on standby at all police stations. There are thousands of law students in various states. The curriculum allows for students to rotate their schedules, so they still have time for law school and the job. They are individualIy placed in police stations waiting, evaluating, and interfering as counsel if they have to. I've come across white men like you at all times, my European blarney brother. No, to your second question. I do not hate the police. I have a history of slave patrols back then and police officers right now in my bloodline. What I dislike is when men and women who are supposed to serve and protect only feel that obligation towards white people. Somehow, they are filled to the brim with fear of black people. Of course, if there is no guilt, you do not have to apply any defensiveness to my application because you're the cop I am not talking about. I was an officer for a few years. I don't know if you didn't hear that part. I disapprove of anyone using their authority as an officer to murder and abuse. Your opinion or perspective of black people is severely skewed. As I mentioned previously, I am on a mission. My husband and I are doing God's work. For too long white people have stood by and did nothing. So yes, I do love helping black men and women in court. I get that unspeakable joy when I am able to obtain their freedom and overturn bogus cases for them and their families. I have helped poor white families as well, but my purpose, destiny, and assignment are African Americans in criminal justice.
When I was around 6 years old, I went to the park with a family friend. She used to babysit me. I met a 6-year-old black boy who was there with his siblings. His siblings were like 9 or 10. My babysitter was 16 or 17. Keep in mind that this was in the 80s, not 1920 or 1950. I didn't know it then, but my babysitter told her friends to meet her at the park as well. I begin to play with this little black boy in a mixture that was mostly dirt but also a little sand. We were kids. So of course, we didn't see a problem with us playing together. He had beautiful grey eyes and golden dark brown skin. Abruptly, the babysitter male friends came by me and the little boy. They started calling him the N***r word repeatedly. Then they boldly started throwing the dirt in his eyes. I started screaming "He is my friend, stop it! Leave him alone!" He had blood all in his head and in his eyes because the dirt we were playing in had little particles of glass. When his brothers and sisters came over to get him, they were beaten up by the three older teens. It was the most crying I had ever done in my life. I felt the pain this little black boy endured, and I couldn't do anything about what was happening. After the little boy fainted from them rubbing and throwing dirt in his face and eyes they ran off. My scared babysitter was such a coward. She snatched me and ran off with me. I will never forget that day. My devotion and work in criminal justice is my way of helping out every little black boy, man, woman, and girl who continues to get the residue of Jim Crow and white supremacy dirt stuck in their eyes. It's hard to get out. You know why? I'll tell you why, because white people like my babysitter and the ignorance of men like you, don't want to get it out. Then you have the audacity to fix your mouth to say they bring all of their woes and hardship on themselves. Well, your white privilege has you so very conditioned to believing that. I feel sincerely sorry for you. It couldn't possibly be that black people are socially, politically, and economically left out of equality verses what you have as a white man. It's not enough that lots of black people like Martin Luther King tried their best to get the white society to see black people as American citizens who only wanted the same human rights as their European brothers and sisters. Black people cannot do it alone. They have tried to handle it. Do you know anything about Black History? We need our own white people to step up! The root of the problem stems from European institutions and policies that we put in place, excluding black people. Wickedness and hatred have made itself way too greedy and comfortable in American culture, making money lusting in criminalizing, oppressing, and demonizing black people.
Guess what? Most white people know this is the truth. They feel uncomfortable about it. If you are not doing anything wrong, as a white person, you should not feel attacked. I am not talking about you. If the shoe fits wear it. I am definitely talking about you! I will gladly use my platform and influence to continue getting all of that dirt out of black people's eyes. I have been doing my best work of dirt removal. I will continue to do it. Oh, and this is going to shock you all. When I went to Duke University Law School, guess who I reconnected with? The little boy who I met at the park, playing in the dirt with. We graduated together. I was supposed to go to Harvard with John, but God told me to stay local. I understood why after I hooked back up with Damari. I named one of my boys Damari! His spirit is so calm. Damari is a partner at our firm, and we've been playing dirty for a long time now, taking dirt out of many eyes worldwide! How can we call black people and other people of color American citizens when they do not have the exact same rights as American citizens? Thanks for having us, we will be in touch for future Q & A (questions and answers).
C'mon it's time! Let's all eradicate the dirt together.
Claire McDermoth and her husband John are 3rd generation European, criminal lawyers. They have seven kids on purpose by design. They are both in their late thirties. Their parents and grandparents are lawyers. Claire often articulates to students, colleagues, and to friends about the circumstances that compelled her into becoming the lawyer she is today. John and Claire McDermoth are proud Christians. They are involved in a multitude of high-profile cases. They serve underprivileged communities by doing Pro Bono. Claire and John own their own law firm together. They successfully help to change laws and lives, particularly for black people in criminal justice. They are asked to come to a prestigious law school to speak to law students and participate in a question-and-answer panel, as they often do.
Law Professor (Man):
It is with great honor to welcome you all to the 56th Annual “These Truths” Law Conference. Today you will be able to gain profound insight and wisdom as we embark on receiving Mr. and Mrs. McDermoth. Please keep questions to a limit of 2 minutes.
Law Student one (Female):
I am aware of the several books you've published. I wanted to know why you chose to study law and how you and Mr. McDermoth met. I also know about the Police Patrol Act. I am so excited to be a participant of that. Inspiration and courage is what you have given me. I am going to model my entire legal career after you. I believe in everything you are doing and have done to make our society more righteous and inclusive for all people. Can you please tell us how the Police Patrol Act was started?
Claire:
Thank you very much! I am truly humbled. I'll just answer for both of us since we are short of time. John and I were destined to be together. Our families are both from the South. We grew up together as neighbors and childhood friends. I don't speak about my personal life too much as an author for personal reasons. John and I come from a family of lawyers on both sides. We've been exposed to certain people, stories and situations. Both of our great grandparents were very racist, but they were practicing Christians. Their parents were slave owners. I am thankful my parents are the antithesis of my grandparents and their own grand- parents mentality. My mom and dad made a great choice to teach my siblings and I right from wrong, despite race or skin color. I absolutely see ugly stains of race and racism in everything. I've seen the lack of care black people received in the medical field. I've seen how economically uneven the playing field is for people who are not white. I know how heavy the weight of white supremacy has been on the backs of African American people, especially the men. My mom is the biggest influence in my life. She grew up in the fifties and sixties. She is my hero. She marched with Dr. King. My mother was very active in the Civil Rights Movement to liberate people that were being oppressed. I became passionate about those same causes. I am assigned by God to do the work I am doing. I am as bold as a lion to see African Americans who are treated less than human obtain freedom. We have family in law enforcement, as politicians and a lot of judges on both sides. I lobbied incessantly for the Police Patrol Act to become a law in the United States. It was time to dismantle the thickness of a system that was purposely racist and designed to keep non-white folks down. I had to do something about all the lives being flushed away right in our faces. The smell was bad! I could not have done it without a host of friends and family. I also had lots of law students and undergraduate students who were simply tired of the same old American hypocrisy. Together we did it! We used our white privilege to change indifference. You guys can do the exact same thing! Right now, in all 50 states, when a police officer arrest and interrogates American citizens, by law, an attorney and law student have to be present to observe. The law students who are practicing criminal law are given a stipend by the state for their service and school credit. We have seen a 90% decrease in false confessions, brutality, and in lawsuits. We the people, demanded that they change. I also see all people as God's creation. All life is meaningful. John went to Harvard. I chose Duke University.
Law Student two (Female):
I heard you and your husband worked as police officers before you went to law school for a few years? Can you speak on that? Is it true you have 7 kids? How do you manage family life and balance running a very efficacious law firm? You are one of the most loved individuals. There are also plenty of white people who loathe what you are doing. How do you handle all of that?
Claire:
Yes, John and I strategically had a 3–5-year plan to work as police officers then we planned on going to law school. We did it for 3 years. It prepared us with a really good head start in criminal law. We do have 7 blessed kids together. We have identical twin girls and 5 boys. We have the best supportive family you could ever ask for. Although some don't believe in or like the work we do in our families, they adore our children. I have a domination type of mind-set. If I set my mind to do anything it happens. I was pregnant with twins when I graduated from law school and passed the bar. John and I will ensure our legacy remain a solid foundation. All 7 of our children will be lawyers or work in the legal field by any means necessary. I faithfully could care less about all the white people who are afraid to live in their truth. Superiority is a lie our founding fathers gave birth to. Each time racism reigned whites were trained to do nothing about some of the things caused by them. There is a quote that I positively live bye. "The time is always ripe to drown the darkness and produce more light." God told me to let my light shine! That is what I intend on doing. I don't care who doesn't like it. Nothing can stop or block what God told me to rock, quite well! They can take that up with God! That is how I handle them. Thank you for your questions.
Law Student three (Male):
You mentioned earlier that law students and lawyers watch over the behaviors of the police. Do you hate police officers or something? I read a few of your books and I wasn't all that impressed. You didn't even really explain the process of the law you got passed. I want to know from you, as a white woman, why are you devoted to helping black people? Let their own people handle their issues. What about your own people? Blacks kill blacks all the time. They only have it hard because of the choices they make. I'm really curious as to why your entire life mission is focused on these black people.
Claire:
Excuse me, may I ask where are you from?
John:
Honey I can answer this one?
Claire:
No sir, I've got this John.
Law Student three (Male):
Where I am from is not relevant. Please just answer the questions. I have a class in 20 minutes.
Claire:
As far as the Police Patrol Act, students are on standby at all police stations. There are thousands of law students in various states. The curriculum allows for students to rotate their schedules, so they still have time for law school and the job. They are individualIy placed in police stations waiting, evaluating, and interfering as counsel if they have to. I've come across white men like you at all times, my European blarney brother. No, to your second question. I do not hate the police. I have a history of slave patrols back then and police officers right now in my bloodline. What I dislike is when men and women who are supposed to serve and protect only feel that obligation towards white people. Somehow, they are filled to the brim with fear of black people. Of course, if there is no guilt, you do not have to apply any defensiveness to my application because you're the cop I am not talking about. I was an officer for a few years. I don't know if you didn't hear that part. I disapprove of anyone using their authority as an officer to murder and abuse. Your opinion or perspective of black people is severely skewed. As I mentioned previously, I am on a mission. My husband and I are doing God's work. For too long white people have stood by and did nothing. So yes, I do love helping black men and women in court. I get that unspeakable joy when I am able to obtain their freedom and overturn bogus cases for them and their families. I have helped poor white families as well, but my purpose, destiny, and assignment are African Americans in criminal justice.
When I was around 6 years old, I went to the park with a family friend. She used to babysit me. I met a 6-year-old black boy who was there with his siblings. His siblings were like 9 or 10. My babysitter was 16 or 17. Keep in mind that this was in the 80s, not 1920 or 1950. I didn't know it then, but my babysitter told her friends to meet her at the park as well. I begin to play with this little black boy in a mixture that was mostly dirt but also a little sand. We were kids. So of course, we didn't see a problem with us playing together. He had beautiful grey eyes and golden dark brown skin. Abruptly, the babysitter male friends came by me and the little boy. They started calling him the N***r word repeatedly. Then they boldly started throwing the dirt in his eyes. I started screaming "He is my friend, stop it! Leave him alone!" He had blood all in his head and in his eyes because the dirt we were playing in had little particles of glass. When his brothers and sisters came over to get him, they were beaten up by the three older teens. It was the most crying I had ever done in my life. I felt the pain this little black boy endured, and I couldn't do anything about what was happening. After the little boy fainted from them rubbing and throwing dirt in his face and eyes they ran off. My scared babysitter was such a coward. She snatched me and ran off with me. I will never forget that day. My devotion and work in criminal justice is my way of helping out every little black boy, man, woman, and girl who continues to get the residue of Jim Crow and white supremacy dirt stuck in their eyes. It's hard to get out. You know why? I'll tell you why, because white people like my babysitter and the ignorance of men like you, don't want to get it out. Then you have the audacity to fix your mouth to say they bring all of their woes and hardship on themselves. Well, your white privilege has you so very conditioned to believing that. I feel sincerely sorry for you. It couldn't possibly be that black people are socially, politically, and economically left out of equality verses what you have as a white man. It's not enough that lots of black people like Martin Luther King tried their best to get the white society to see black people as American citizens who only wanted the same human rights as their European brothers and sisters. Black people cannot do it alone. They have tried to handle it. Do you know anything about Black History? We need our own white people to step up! The root of the problem stems from European institutions and policies that we put in place, excluding black people. Wickedness and hatred have made itself way too greedy and comfortable in American culture, making money lusting in criminalizing, oppressing, and demonizing black people.
Guess what? Most white people know this is the truth. They feel uncomfortable about it. If you are not doing anything wrong, as a white person, you should not feel attacked. I am not talking about you. If the shoe fits wear it. I am definitely talking about you! I will gladly use my platform and influence to continue getting all of that dirt out of black people's eyes. I have been doing my best work of dirt removal. I will continue to do it. Oh, and this is going to shock you all. When I went to Duke University Law School, guess who I reconnected with? The little boy who I met at the park, playing in the dirt with. We graduated together. I was supposed to go to Harvard with John, but God told me to stay local. I understood why after I hooked back up with Damari. I named one of my boys Damari! His spirit is so calm. Damari is a partner at our firm, and we've been playing dirty for a long time now, taking dirt out of many eyes worldwide! How can we call black people and other people of color American citizens when they do not have the exact same rights as American citizens? Thanks for having us, we will be in touch for future Q & A (questions and answers).
C'mon it's time! Let's all eradicate the dirt together.
