The Ignorance of Arrogance

Real Talk with Judge Dawson

The Ignorance of Arrogance

I am completely fed up with the arrogance displayed in this world.  On every level we witness people making moves and taking action that lead to an end result of nothing more than the fulfillment of person objectives.  It has become obvious that too many people are only concerned with their own personal interests.  I have discovered that much of this desire to fulfill person interest comes from a spirit of arrogance.  

My years as an elected official have revealed to me that many of our leaders are arrogant.  When I say leaders I am speaking local, statewide and even nationwide.  I can give you several examples of leaders being arrogant but let me mention one close to home.  I started a movement called “Adopt-a-Block in 2013 which has my staff, community service workers and myself volunteering our time to clean up the City of East Cleveland.  Out of all the business people, community organizations, organizers etc… no one has offered to help the clean up effort.  In fact, this past weekend many people stopped in amazement when they were driving down the street and saw Judge Dawson walking with a team picking up bottles and debris.  If more leaders actually lead by example the entire community in Cleveland, East Cleveland and the world would be transformed.  

Even beyond helping with community clean up efforts, another place where arrogance must disappear is in the attitudes of our leaders.  Today’s leaders are too arrogant to talk to the “opposition,” too arrogant to seek knowledge of successful people, too arrogant to ask for help in time of need and too arrogant to look at their current situation and identify if the house is burning down.  Leaders and people who are arrogant are not aware that arrogance can be a form of ignorance.  

Arrogance is defined as an insulting way of thinking or behaving that comes from believing that you are better, smarter or more important than other people.

Ignorance is defined as a lack of knowledge or information.

Unfortunately, most don’t understand that if you are arrogant, (thinking or behaving as if you are better, smarter or more important than other people) you are ignorance (having a lack of knowledge).  

All of my training, workshops and articles come from the stand point of being a “Cycle Breaker” meaning, I want us to all perform and live out the best version of ourselves.  However, when you combine those two definitions, finding yourself so arrogant to be ignorant, you are far from being a “Cycle Breaker.”  

When a person acts in a manner suggesting that they are smarter or more important than other people they are ignorant to the fact that no one is more important than anyone.  Though you may have a title, and I wrote about the respect that is due to a person with a title, that title does not make you better than anyone.  Instead, with a title, you are trusted to take on very specific responsibilities that “entitle” you to support and respect.  It’s not that you are better than anyone.  The problem is that when people have titles they get to the point where no one can tell them anything. When no one can tell you anything you are approaching destruction.  

When I was elected to the position of Judge of the East Cleveland Municipal Court I reached out to many people to get their wisdom, advise and assistance.  It was not beneath me to seek support.  However, today most elected officials, businessmen and leaders are so caught up on being “the man” that they never seek the wisdom of other people.  In the greater Cleveland area, which includes the surrounding suburbs, there are cities in trouble, not just the City of East Cleveland.  If, instead of being caught up on being “the man,” we all decided to work together, this entire region could be transformed.  Working together doesn’t mean criticizing others, speaking out on issues just to get a rise from your constituents or bullying others.  Instead, real leaders try to seek the greatest good for all people concerned and that means being able to work without arrogance.   

When it’s all said and done and we reach the end of our road, arrogant people wont’ have much to look back on.  They may have a legacy of being shrewd and hard core but you can’t bully your way into heaven.  Instead of being arrogant and ignorant, seek cooperation and seek to do what’s best and what’s right.  When we work together with knowledge and a spirit of cooperation we can make this world a better place.

For more discussion on this subject or others, join Judge Dawson’s Cycle Breaker/Finish First program on Monday nights at 5:30pm at the East Cleveland Municipal Court.  ALSO, on April 21, 2014 at 5:30 pm, join us for a forum on “HEROIN IN THE SUBURBS” with Judge Michael Astrab of the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas!  East Cleveland Municipal Court’s Judge William L. Dawson is on a mission to help people to Finish First, live their best lives and be Cycle Breakers!  

judgewilliamdawson@gmail.com

www.teamfinishfirst.com

www.Judgedawson.com

          Social Media @JudgeDawson

American Dream in the Hood

“Cycle Breaking” w/ Judge Dawson

ARE YOU TRYING TO LIVE 

THE AMERICAN DREAM?

I really don’t like to send people to jail, but sometimes I have no choice.  In fact, I always tell the people in my Court that “I’m not the cause” of them going to jail but its their decisions that put them there. For many diverse reasons people are constantly making bad decisions, exposing themselves to unhealthy situations and breaking the law.  We all start off with the goal to avoid a major derailment like jail, in fact there’s no difference between the desire for success of an inner city high school graduate or a wall street investment banker, everyone wants to live the American Dream.  For some that means making a lot of money, for others that means helping people in need and, believe it or not, for some people it means staying out of jail long enough to run the next hustle and get rich.  

Choosing the illegal road leads to a dead end, so let’s turn it around by analyzing and dispelling a common “hood” view of the American Dream as defined by the iconic hustler turned philanthropist millionaire Shawn Carter.  These lyrics describe the mentality of some people I encounter daily in the East Cleveland Court.

THE AMERICAN DREAM ,lyrics by Jay-Z

“We need a place to pitch, we need a mound  / For now, I’m just a lazy boy / Big dreaming in my La-Z-Boy / In the clouds of smoke, been playin this Marvin  / Mama forgive me, should be thinkin bout Harvard / But that’s too far away, niggas are starving / Ain’t nothin wrong with aim, just gotta change the target….…”

Playing the Game Will Keep You Out of Jail.

“We need a place to pitch..we need a mound.” 

To live the American dream we all need a place to belong, develop and show our ability. While in school this environment is available if you take advantage of it.  However, after finishing school it takes your own effort to make connections to be successful.  Instead of doing this, too many people sit on the sidelines of life, operating in the back alleys. I personally believe the most at risk group for unproductively and crime is the 18 to 25 year olds.  I suggest, instead of risking going to jail, get prepare and get in the game of life with positive pursuits.  

2. Being Productive Will Keep You Out of Jail

“For now, I’m just a lazy boy, big dreaming in my La-Z-Boy.”  

I ask almost every young person in my Court “where do you work?” I’ve found that over 65% of the people I see don’t work at all.  Instead of seeking a job many are dreaming about success while chilling at home.  My experience shows that the chances of making bad decisions, breaking the law or ending up in jail increase for people who have no job. Recently, there were three men in my court who, because they were not working, decided to commit a robbery. Of course there are many reasons that people are unemployed, the economy is one of them but the statistics are indicating that under-education or the total lack of education is the biggest factor to unemployment.  My advise is to get productive. Being productive and positive decreases the temptation to commit crimes.

3. Shooting For the Stars Is Better Than Sitting in the Clouds

“In the clouds of smoke, been playing this Marvin, Mama forgive me I should be thinking of Harvard, “But that’s too far ways, niggas are starving.”  

That’s the story of our youth. Smoking weed, playing playstation or X-Box, sitting around listening to music instead of activity developing their minds to either further their education or positively contribute to our community.  If you smoke weed but can’t get a job, you need to quit. If smoke weed and keep catching cases you need to quit.  Shoot for the stars instead of floating on the clouds.  

Ain’t nothing wrong with aim, just gotta change the target.” 

To be a Cycle Breaker, better than your past, more successful than others around you, aim high but aim at a productive, positive and legal target. 

For more discussion on this subject or others, join Judge Dawson’s Cycle Breaker/Finish First program on Monday nights, 5:30pm at the East Cleveland Municipal Court.  ALSO, FORUM ON “HEROIN IN THE SUBURBS”: Monday, April 21 @ 5:30pm East Cleveland Library.       w/Judge Michael Astrab.  Stay in touch: 

judgewilliamdawson@gmail.com

www.teamfinishfirst.com

www.Judgedawson.com

Social Media: @judgedawson

This Generation Has a Lack of Respect!

Real Talk with Judge Dawson

THIS GENERATION HAS A LACK OF RESPECT!

“All Rise,” is the way that the court staff notifies the public that a Judge has entered the room and that court is about to start.  After being a Judge for a while I have become used to people rising and then sitting once I acknowledge the beginning of our proceedings.  Every now and then there is a person who fails to get up.  When its noticed either my bailiffs or I make sure that the person understands the proper expectation.  On one particular day there was a young man, who after rising when I came in, decided to sit slouching down in his chair with his head hanging down.  I asked the young man to sit up. When he did, I asked was anything wrong. His response was that nothing was wrong. I continued to hear my cases when I realized that the young man, who I addressed earlier, was not in court for his own case but was attending the hearing with his girlfriend.  As he walked out the door he mumbled something under his breath.  It wasn't loud enough for me to hear yet I knew that something was said.  I asked my bailiff to make sure the young man wasn't being disrespectful to the court or city hall.  Later that morning it came to my attention that the young man said he "shouldn't have to stand up when the Judge walks in the room because the Judge is just a man like me." 

That seems to be the attitude of this current generation. There is a lack of respect for Authority, each other and themselves.

Lack of Respect For Authority

The lack of respect for authority is running rampant.  Everyone wants to be in power but not everyone has respect for power.  Take for example people who run for office.  While running to be elected they talk about change and respect for people.  Once they fail to get in office or feel that they were wronged, they are the first to disrespect those in power. There are people who refuse to call a Judge, Mayor or any other elected official by their earned title.  Here is a rule of thumb, if you are not a current close friend of the elected official, call them by the title that they worked years to earn.  You may be surprised, or maybe not, at the number of people who come to City Hall to see me, people I haven't talked to in years, and walk up asking to see Will, not Judge Dawson but Will.  I believe it's based on a lack of respect for authority, conscious or unconscious.  My closest friends call me Judge so why would a person I haven't seen since childhood think it's ok to come to my court room and call me a Will?

People, it's not about the titles, but it's about being prepared for success.  When you begin to redevelop respect for yourself, others and authority you will see just how many doors will open for you.

Lack of Respect For Others

The lack of respect for others is displayed everyday when we hear about people committing assaults, rapes and killings.  Though these acts have been committed for centuries, one would expect that, with all of our technological advancements, we would have reached a point of disturbance and intolerance with such behavior.  Instead, the number of offenses continue to grow and we continue to glorify these acts in the media.

Lack of Respect For Self

This generation’s lack of respect for themselves is displayed in the music and arts.  I had a conversation with my brother Wayne Dawson, who is a local television news anchor, and he mentioned that today's music is so dirty that you can hardly play it in public.  I had to agree with that statement.  Over time our music and artistic displays have become graphic and even down right nasty.  The things that were merely suggested years ago, things that are improper for the public ears, are now revealed boldly and unapologetically.  It is apparent that people who drive around listing to the music of today are not in the least bit bothered by the lyrics.  Many people blast music with sexual and violent lyrics in the same car where their toddler is sitting, thereby creating the next generation of people who lack and may not even know how to respect authority, others or themselves.

For more discussion on this subject or others, join Judge Dawson’s Cycle Breaker/Finish First program on Monday nights at 5:30pm at the East Cleveland Municipal Court.  ALSO, on April 21, 2014 at 5:30 pm, join us for a forum on “HEROIN IN THE SUBURBS” with Judge Michael Astrab of the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas!  East Cleveland Municipal Court’s Judge William L. Dawson is on a mission to help people to Finish First, live their best lives and be Cycle Breakers!  

judgewilliamdawson@gmail.com

www.teamfinishfirst.com

www.Judgedawson.com

          Social Media @JudgeDawson

Mothers and Their Sons!!!!!

Real Talk with Judge Dawson

MOTHERS AND THEIR SONS:  Are Mothers Destroying Young Boys? 

As I write this article I am sure that it'll be the first installment of what will be a very interesting analysis of the relationship between mothers and their sons.  Obviously this topic could span a wide variety of directions but for the purposes of what I see as a Judge, and what I intend to be as a Cycle Breaker, I will address avoiding negative interaction with the legal system and how mother/son relationships play into this necessary ability.

Recently there was a young man in my court charged with several marijuana offenses and a charge for carrying a concealed weapon.  I went through my normal procedure of reading him his rights and informing him of the fact that in the East Cleveland Court, if you carry a gun illegally or commit any gun involved offense there will be jail time.  For clarity, understand that Ohio and East Cleveland is very serious about gun offenses, however some people commit these offenses and walk away with very little consequences.  My position of giving out mandatory jail time is based on my concern and exhaustion with the volume of people carrying guns and committing crimes in our communities. It's almost to the point where I have to assume that if I'm in a specific location during specific times, there might be a person carrying a concealed weapon.  This is evidence that our society, our generation is losing control and changing for the worst. We've gone all the way from neighborhoods where the front door could remained unlocked to a community full of guns. 

While listening to the facts of this case my disappointment turned to frustration when the young man's mother asked could she speak.  I normally don't let anyone but the defendant speak, but I agreed to hear the mother’s story.  After a while it became clear that her only concern was with the money that was forfeited to the police and to tell me that her son was not selling marijuana.  The mother had no concern about her son having a gun. This scenario exemplifies conduct that happens too often in the lives of young men. Mothers, some of whom are raising their boys alone, turn the other cheek and ignore the bad behavior that some of their sons are involved in.  It goes without saying that being a single mother is very hard. As I watch my wife with my two kids, I can't imagine her having to raise my children on her own. That's why I commend, support and salute all single mothers.  On the flip side, mother's who are raising their boys alone must take on the added responsibility of being  serious disciplinarians.  My mother, Annie L. Dawson, raised me and my brother Wayne as a single mother so I understand the challenges. Annie Dawson made sure that my brother and I understood that she was not going to tolerate nonsense and she disciplined us swiftly when we got out of line.  

Boys will go astray. Boys will challenge their mothers and sometimes defy the system, but that's when mothers have to be strong and demand respect! Respect to her for her position as mom, respect for the family name and respect for the legal system.  One of my mother's famous lines was that, "I brought you in this world and I'll take you out." You may have heard that one too. For the most part, especially while I was younger, I truly believed that statement. I believed that if I embarrassed her, or did something wrong she would "take me out."  Another line was, "if you are doing illegal things, the police won't have to catch you because I'll turn you in!" Imagine that. My mother would snitch on me? Absolutely right. I was convinced that she was the prosecutor, jury and judge. That's the way parents have to be today. Don't come to court or run to the police car yelling how innocent your son is. Instead be the first to discipline him and maybe my courtroom won't be full of gun toting men and women who are in trouble with the law. 

For more discussion on this subject or others, join Judge Dawson’s Cycle Breaker/Finish First program on Monday nights at 5:30pm at the East Cleveland Municipal Court.  ALSO, on April 21, 2014 at 5:30 pm, join us for a forum on “HEROIN IN THE SUBURBS” with Judge Michael Astrab of the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas!  East Cleveland Municipal Court’s Judge William L. Dawson is on a mission to help people to Finish First, live their best lives and be Cycle Breakers!  

judgewilliamdawson@gmail.com

www.teamfinishfirst.com

www.Judgedawson.com

Social Media @JudgeDawson

Guns in the Hood!

Real Talk with Judge Dawson

Facebook, Instagram and Twitter are among the most active places that Americans, especially American youth, are speeding their time. It could be argued that so much time is spent on social media that its’ overall influence is greater than parents and even schools. In this day and age we must be fearful or at least careful about the far-reaching influence of social media, and we must be diligent in monitoring its use and influence over our lives.

Violence through social media is a growing trend. We have cyber bullying, arguments, and fights breaking out over things revealed on social media. Yes I said fights. There are people who post certain things on social media and then meet in person to fight over the dispute. That is an example of how social media in blurring the lines between what happens online and what happens in our physical reality. Another area where this blurring of lines is occurring is in the access and sales of weapons. There is a growing ability to have access to the purchase of guns by way of social media sources through advertisement and posts. However, Facebook is cracking down on gun-related posts. The social media giant is taking measures to block minors from seeing postings about gun sales and will take down sales ads from vendors who don't require a background check for the purchases. The change is a win for groups like “Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America” and “Mayors Against Illegal Guns,” which have lobbied for more restrictive gun policies at businesses including Starbucks, Staples and Facebook. If you don’t believe there is a problem, imagine that your child can go to a site and see information about a friend's birthday party and at the same time, catch a glimpse of a location to buy an AK-47.

To be totally clear, until now, Facebook regulated only paid ads and sponsored stories, which could not promote weapons of any kind. Images of weapons are generally acceptable as long as the weapon is not pointed directly at the viewer. User posts could say almost anything. Although the focus is on gun sales, eventually the new changes will apply to the promotion of other restricted items like alcohol or adult products.

Over the next few weeks, Facebook will begin deleting gun sale posts that are flagged by users, indicating that the post is against Facebook policy.

The changes will extend to Instagram, where someone searching for a hashtag, another way to find a specific post, related to gun sales will get a pop-up requiring them to acknowledge the relevant laws that apply to them before they can see search results. It’s important to note that these changes are not taking place without objection. There has been a bit of backlash from the American public who feel that restrictions on the sale of guns, in any way, are restrictions on their liberties. It’s likely that those people don’t see as many fatalities and gun related crimes as I do in the courtroom. They don’t see the violence in our streets. They don’t see the destruction of our youth. They don’t experience the robberies and drive-by shootings.

When a 15-year-old boy was caught with a 9mm handgun at school in Kentucky, he told investigators he had arranged the purchase through the "Portsmouth Pickers" Facebook group."It's not just giving criminals access to guns, it's giving our children access to guns," says Shannon Watts, founder of “Moms Demand Action.” As a Judge I am the first to acknowledge that everyone has rights and whatever the laws in the United States permit or prohibits I am obligated to uphold those laws. However, when it comes to unfettered access to the tools of violence and destruction, I am in favor of keeping our communities safe.

For more discussion on this subject or others, join Judge Dawson’s Cycle Breaker/Finish First program on Monday nights at 5:30pm at the East Cleveland Municipal Court. East Cleveland Municipal Court’s Judge William L. Dawson is on a mission to help people to Finish First, live their best lives and be Cycle Breakers!

judgewilliamdawson@gmail.com
www.teamfinishfirst.com
www.Judgedawson.com
Social Media @JudgeDawson

Is the "N" Word Worth Fighting Over?

Real Talk with Judge Dawson

On February 8, 2014 with six seconds left in the game, sophomore guard for Oklahoma State, Marcus Smart shoved a Texas Tech fan for allegedly calling him the “N” word.  Smart earned a technical foul for the shove, and his teammates quickly wrapped him up to try and diffuse the situation.  Despite their effort, Smart received a three game suspension and national attention for the outburst.  The fan denied using any type of racial slur.  Regardless of the actual trigger, the event opens the door for a discussion on whether any name calling or verbal attack is worth fighting over.

It Takes Extreme Emotional Intelligence to Ignore Ignorance

We all have examples of people who, for one reason or another, have managed to get on our nerves.  Right before I wrote this article I had a short experience of road rage while exiting the snowy highway when a car tried to keep me from entering the lane and then began to blow the horn and yell obscenities at me through the car window.  When any of us are caught off guard by somebody being ignorant it takes extreme emotional intelligence to ignore it.  Why is it so hard?  One reason is that emotions are natural.  Even the best of us will have an emotion sneak up on us without notice.  That’s where Emotional Intelligence comes in.  

I’ve spent over 10,000 hours studying the principles of emotional intelligence.  I have an advanced certification from Case Western Reserve Weatherhead School of Management and I have years and years of real world experience in the discipline.  Even with all my knowledge and experience in the field of emotional intelligence, my initial reaction was to get angry. 

Sticks And Stones May Break My Bones But……The Law Says….

Words are powerful. I believe that words can change the world.  Words can turn friends into enemies and even elevate a person to greatness.  However, words can not physically cause you harm. I have this discussion often in the workshops we provide at the East Cleveland Municipal Court.  I give an example of a person walking up and putting a finger as close as possible to the nose but not touching it.  Everyone says that they would push the person or knock the finger down.  The reason?  Everyone believes that they have a legal right to personal space.  You do not have a right to personal space!  The only time the law recognizes an ability for a person to put their hands on another is if there is an immediate threat of physical danger. I’ve studied many cases where the law recognized verbal provocation but I have not witnessed a situation where verbal provocation gave the justification for anyone to physically touch another person.  If you break this law and put your hands on another just because they said something to you or put a finger in your face, you will be the person in the wrong.  You may suffer legal charges or some other type of discipline, just like Marcus Smart. 

Looking at the issue from the stand point of a Cycle Breaker, we must make an effort to remain calm and cool under every situation for the following reasons: 1. It makes us look good.  When we are in control we look better than the person losing their mind 2. People are searching for reasons to disqualify us.  I often talk about the struggle to get jobs in this economy.   Don’t do anything that will give a person any reason to disqualify you from a job.  3. We will grow from the the situation.  Every negative situation has a seed of growth.  Every time we choose to take the higher road we will get better at navigating the low roads.  Let’s not do the ordinary thing and react based on someone calling us out.  Instead let’s be extraordinary.  Let’s be Cycle Breakers.

For more discussion on this subject or others, join Judge Dawson’s Cycle Breaker/Finish First program on Monday nights at 5:30pm at the East Cleveland Municipal Court.  East Cleveland Municipal Court’s Judge William L. Dawson is on a mission to help people to Finish First, live their best lives and be Cycle Breakers!  

judgewilliamdawson@gmail.com

www.teamfinishfirst.com

www.Judgedawson.com

Just Having Babies!

Real Talk with Judge Dawson

One of the mainstays of my practice in court is to ask the person in front of me, "what have you been doing these past years?"   That question is relevant for a couple of reasons.  There are many people who have court dates and decide not to appear until a warrant is issued for their arrest.  The sad part is that these people are normally caught by police officers at the most inconvenient time.  Instead of appearing to court when they should, they end up having a major disruption of their life as a result of being arrested.  Also, when I look at the criminal history of people, I can tell whether they have been positively productive or not.  As one could imagine, the answer to the question of “what have you been doing these past years” are very diverse. For this particular defendant I was really asking a rhetorical question because his criminal history was full of arrests, convictions and jail time for drug related offenses. So when I asked this young man I was expecting him to tell me about not having a job and having to do whatever is necessary to take care of his family. To my surprise his answer was totally different. He looked at me and said, "to be totally honest with you Judge Dawson, I've been making babies!" 

I've discussed and will continue to discuss the disadvantage of "just making babies" as opposed to planning for your life and future. I have even done workshops on the importance of fatherhood, however I can't reach everyone.  We have to take a different approach.  We need parents, relatives and friends to start discouraging reckless behavior. We need the community to step up and display positive examples of family values.  We all need to expect more and live with higher standards.  

Not only was this young man in front of me spending his time "making babies" he wasn't financially able to take care of his responsibilities which keeps him from having valid license. The routine in our community goes like this; If I don’t have a valid license, I don’t have a job.  Why is this the routine? For too many people, not being able to drive themselves to a job interview or to work is an excuse for not working. I remember the time when I had to ask every friend I had for a ride to work. That's no longer the case. So, unless he changes his mentality, this father will continue to be unable to care for his children in the foreseeable future. Not to mention that he now faces the possibility of a $1,000 fine and six months in jail based on the offenses that lead him to my Court.

As a people we have to take parenthood and responsibility serious.  I use the term “parenthood” because the responsibility is equality on men and women.  From my experience, when men are “just making babies” and not effectively involved in their children's lives, the result is a generation of criminals.  The statistics are startling. There have been 22,000 African Americans murdered during the time that President Obama has been this country's leader. The President recently used his power to create the movement "My Brothers Keeper" aimed at educating minority youth and curbing the destruction and violence in our community. My belief is that the President is on the right track. He is being a Cycle Breaker.  We also have a part to play. We must discourage the mentality of "just making babies." We have to discourage the trend of fatherless homes. We must encourage our girls and women to set high standards in regard to the men they date, sleep with and have children with. We have to be Cycle Breakers in order to be "My Brother's Keeper."

  

For more discussion on this subject or others, join Judge Dawson’s Cycle Breaker/Finish First program on Monday nights at 5:30pm at the East Cleveland Municipal Court.  East Cleveland Municipal Court’s Judge William L. Dawson is on a mission to help people to Finish First, live their best lives and be Cycle Breakers!  

judgewilliamdawson@gmail.com

www.teamfinishfirst.com

www.Judgedawson.com

Social Media: @JudgeDawson