I am not a judge or jury, so as I write I ask God to hold my pen so it doesn’t seem like I am choosing a side. I ask God to not allow me to be remiss about those that loss their lives. I don’t do stories like this because I’m always afraid to say the wrong thing where there is so much pain. Yet as the founder of Black Florence and Black Line News, I would be neglectful to not say anything, as my readers have spoke so passionately on social media about this situation.
As I write, I feel so much emotion for Terod Williams, 38, and Edward Beck, 50, who lost their lives some four years ago. They were riding a moped off of Highway 52 near Florence. I hate those stupid things because they are so unsafe. Then I think of Lauren Alexis Green, who struck them with her car that fateful morning, leaving the scene for both to die. If she were to stay those 8 years she was convicted of yesterday may be considered time served. If she were to stay, this may not be front page news making it all the way to me in Charlotte. If she were to stay both men may have lived. And I write this piece believing that this young lady panicked and never intended for anyone to die. I write this piece feeling that this was a terrible accident gone wrong by poor decisions of a Black Woman and she gotta own it. I write this piece knowing we have to learn from this.
Yet I tell myself there was a point in my life when I could have been locked in that jail for horrible decisions. I could have gone that path. And I write knowing I am no better than the convicted and those fallen didn’t deserve their fate.
So Sistah Lauren do your bid, ask for forgiveness and live a better life with decisions that lead you to prosper. And to the family of Terod Williams and Edward Beck, I pray for your strength and comfort. His mercies endure forever.
~ Minister Dearest Price