versions of the truth

There is a heartbreaking story that has been in the news recently. Perhaps you have heard or read about it.

Billy Joe Johnson was a star running back for George County High, Lucedale, Mississippi. Billy Joe was being considered by several universities for a full ride scholarship. Billy Joe was even looking forward to an award being presented to him on December 8th honoring his athletic achievements. He appeared to have everything going for him.

Until the early morning hours of December 8th when he was stopped for a routine traffic violation. It is claimed that when the officer returned to his patrol car to run this young man's license and registration, he heard a loud blast. Billy Joe was lying on the ground, dead from a shotgun blast. According to the officer, it was appeared to be self inflicted, although they haven't ruled out accidental death at this time. This shotgun in question was lying on top of Billy Joe. The entry wound was behind his left ear and Billy Joe was right handed.

If it was an accident, did he pull it out of some hidden location in his vehicle to what, maybe clean it while he waited for the police officer to return? I don't know a great deal about guns, but I am trying to imagine how one would accomplish getting the barrel of a shotgun pointed behind their ear and then pulling the trigger in just a few short moments. These are just a couple of the many questions I have about this very doubtful story.

I guess I should tell you at this point that Billy Joe was black and the officer is white.

The purpose to writing this post, in addition to bringing this story to your attention if you hadn't already heard about it, is to tell you about how some of the citizens from Lucedale and other parts of Mississippi and in all fairness plenty of others from where ever, have reacted. They claim to give you "facts" as they know first hand how this went down. They feel the rest of the world has jumped to a foregone conclusion, "just because this happened in Mississippi", yet these same people draw their own conclusion and shout it out loudly and unsubstantiated. They weren't there, just like you and I, yet they shame you for invading their business as an outsider then attempt to cram whatever they feel they know down your throat.

Unfortunately, all of the versions of this "truth" have been different from each other. Very different from each other. Kind of ironic, isn't it?

I have written many versions of this post, deleted, edited and rewritten much. This is not how I am accustomed to writing, but this story and it's surrounding storm clouds trouble me. There are multiple facets to this story that disturb me on so many levels.

It disturbs me that we are supposedly living in a time when we have come so far, but after reading about this story, it also appears we haven't come that far at all. There are people out there frantically attempting to put this to rest. The investigation is no where near completed, but Billy Joe is tried, convicted and cast aside before all the facts are straight.

Does this sound like too many familiar stories from the past to you? It does to me.

It disturbs me to read blogs and observe people of both colors participating in verbal warfare, throwing insults, racial slurs, pointing fingers, generally behaving like animals and hasty to pass judgement over this.

Have we really come that far when we behave this badly?

What disturbs me the most though is that Billy Joe, regardless of what the truth is, is dead. His young life is over. Just like that. And because of racism, judgement and lies, Billy Joe is not allowed to die with dignity or honor. It appears he lived an honorable life, striving to be the best he could be, making his contribution to the world through his athletic ability. If he made mistakes, every single one of you have also. Stop passing judgement on him and his family. You don't know what really happened. No one does except Billy Joe and the officer who was there.

If you want to read all the dirt, you are on your own, just google it. Trust me it won't take long to find plenty of dirt. Or if you prefer, here is a good, factual report about the story of Billy Joe: