Williams v. County of Los Angeles Class Action Settlement

I am a plaintiff in this case I learned today. It relates to what, until Bekah was murdered, were five of the most stressful dehumanizing days in this years-long life of mine.

Five days in jail, October 1997...crime? Well, they got me there on a DUI and kept me there for poverty. Today I found out that they kept me there longer than they had a right to, and that they took unjustified liberties with my person while they did so.

I could have told you that. or not. I hesitate to even put it on my blog...that has got to be because, although i do have valid complaints regarding why i was there and what was done to me there, i still was culpable. so it is shame, my shame that makes me hesitate.

When I first thought, ah, barbara, must you? I realized that as terrible as the experience was, it was a walk compared to losing my girl. And i NEVER hesitate to expound on Bekah's murder, bitch about her killer, cry wail moan tell tell tell!

So ... WHY would i be comparatively eager to write at such length and frequency about the WORST thing that ever happened in my life, and so reluctant to discuss this other, despicable, five days? i am not lying when i say that i seriously believe i suffered a post-traumatic stress syndrome upon my release. christ i was pissed, and impotently so. and i have done some writing and shared some of that as well. and it is a real issue and giving the class action lawsuit some publicity may very well prove a good deed for someone else victimized by the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department during the period of time applicable.

so back to WHY...guilt shame self-contempt that's why. but that is for the most in the past. the experience itself is just as devastating as i had ever imagined. humiliating, dehumanizing, mortifying, you come up with the next word. i was incarcerated in what was nicknamed "twisted towers," the newer los angeles jail facility. and for 5 days i was just shit, just pure shit, less worth, less dignity than a dog.

My points total 4 according to my calculations. I will send in the claim.
- posted by barbara @ 6/24/2002 08:41:00 PM