[soft music]
[percussive music]
America's public
enemy number one
in the United States,
is drug abuse.
Drugs are menacing our society.
They're threatening
our values;
they're k*lling our children.
The crime bill before Congress
gives you the chance to
do something about it,
a chance to be tough and smart.
We must make the streets safer.
I don't care why
someone is a
malefactor in society.
It doesn't matter
whether or not
they were deprived as a youth,
they must be taken
off the street.
[Gus] There you go.
[Woman] Odessa,
get a little closer.
[soft music continues]
[Kemba VO] Sometimes, I
don't recognize the girl
in the white dress
at her debutant ball.
[squeaking video]
That girl had everything,
nice house,
suburban schools,
great parents,
and no idea that soon
everyone would be asking
where it all went wrong?
But I know,
and I want you to know.
My name
is...
- [Lisa] Kemba!
- [door knocking]
Are you still in there?
[knocking continues]
Kemba?
- [knocking continues]
- Kemba.
Kemba are you still in there?
[Kemba] Yeah, I'll be right out.
[Lisa] Kemba, let me in.
Seriously, what are you doing?
[knocking continues]
[people chattering]
[Lisa] Y'all can wait.
What are you doing
still in here?
[Kemba] Don't.
Got your own party?
Own bottle service
and everything.
Look at that.
Look.
I don't think I should be here.
No, no,
- no, no, no.
- I think..
Look at me!
Look at me.
I don't fit in.
Listen.
Okay, so just give it an hour
and if you don't like
it, you can leave.
See?
Look.
- [Kemba] No.
- Yes.
- [Guest] Come on, let's go.
- [banging on door]
You're not ending your first
college party in a bathroom.
No.
And if a guy makes you nervous,
just pretend you
have a boyfriend.
[Kemba giggling]
[Kemba] I don't know, Lisa.
- Oh, come on, Kemba.
- [banging on door continues]
You know you got it
in there somewhere.
- Oh my God.
- [Kemba laughing]
[Lisa] You just gotta find it.
I could never do that.
My mom would k*ll me.
[Lisa] But she's
not here tonight.
So, tonight,
is our first college
party. Come on.
- [Guest] We're all waiting.
- [banging on door continues]
Ok! Chill.
["Rump Shaker" by
Wreckx-N-Effect plays]
["Rump Shaker" continues]
["Rump Shaker" continues]
See, see?
This party is gonna
change your life.
- [Kemba laughing]
- [music stops]
[people chattering]
- [music changes]
- [people cheering]
[Lisa] I know you
love this song.
Yes I do.
["Can We Talk" by
Tevin Campbell plays]
- [Kemba] Hey Lisa.
- [Lisa] Huh?
Isn't that the
girl from our dorm?
- [Lisa] Oh yeah
- [Kemba] Tamara.
[Kemba] Who's she with?
[Lisa] Girl, she
told me about him.
He don't even go to Hampton.
He is not your type.
Oh, hey.
Who's that?
That's Jamal.
Wait, do I have
anything in my teeth?
Okay, well I'm gonna
go dance with him.
- I'll be right back.
- Okay.
Have fun.
[music continues]
[house music fades,
ambient music plays]
What's up beautiful?
I'm Khalif, what's your name?
Does your girlfriend mind
you talking to another girl?
Who? Her?
Nah, that ain't my girlfriend.
We just know some
of the same people
from back home, is all.
I said what's your name?
Kemba.
It's Kemba.
[Khalif] What's
your middle name?
Niambi.
- Niambi.
- [Kemba] Mmhmm.
That's sexy.
- I like that.
- [Kemba giggles]
What's your last name?
My last name is Smith.
[Khalif snickers]
What's so funny?
How you gonna have a name
like Kemba and Niambi
and the last name Smith?
What are you talking about?
I think it sounds normal.
I don't know.
Smith ain't your
real last name.
It's not?
Naw.
See your ancestors
are from Africa
and they were stripped
of their true name
and given a white
sl*ve master's name
to control their mind.
Okay.
So I guess you gotta
change your name, right?
Um...
I should go.
- Yeah?
- Yeah.
- You sure?
- Yeah!
[night sounds]
[water trickling]
Damn.
What'd that book do to you?
Kemba Niambi Smith, right?
You got out of there pretty
quick the other night.
How did you find me?
[Khalif] I know people
who know people.
- [Kemba] Oh, do you?
- Mmmhmm.
Well, I was just getting
ready to go, so...
Damn, bedtime already?
I'm keeping you
from something?
No, I just, I have
another chapter to read.
At least tell me what time.
What time, what?
Time I can take my
African princess
out for a date tomorrow.
[Kemba chuckling]
Okay, well I can't,
I have class.
Mmhmm.
And I have a boyfriend.
You got class,
you got a boyfriend and
you got a date with me.
So, what time?
[Kemba scoffing]
You're crazy.
I know.
3 o'clock,
I'll be over.
Kemba Niambi Smith.
[soft music]
[Kemba chuckling]
[Kemba giggles]
You look beautiful.
Thank you.
What is that, a blindfold?
[Kemba chuckling]
You want me to put this on now?
Yeah, it's part of the
surprise I got for you.
Come on, it's like a game show.
You've gotta play, in
order to win the prize.
[Kemba] And what's the prize?
Nah, I can't tell
you that right now.
Put it on and find out, though.
Please don't drop me.
- No, it's not funny.
- [Kemba laughing]
You too light for that, come on.
[Kemba chuckling]
This is nicer than the dorms.
Nice, so that means
you're gonna have to come...
- [remote beeps]
- hang out a little more often.
[soft music plays on stereo]
- [Khalif] You like that?
- Mmhmm.
It's a surprise.
[Kemba] It's beautiful.
Cheers.
Girl I knew I
had to hold you
I wanna do it right away
So, if you're so serious
about having this boyfriend,
I guess I should listen, huh?
Yes, you should.
It's a very serious topic.
Oh yeah?
And what? Does this
boyfriend buy you gifts?
[Kemba giggles]
[Kemba] This is beautiful.
Like you.
Thank you.
See, it represents the time
that I hope we get
to spend together.
[Kemba] So...
what should we talk about?
Well I damn sure
don't wanna talk about
this boyfriend no more.
[Kemba laughing]
I mean he wouldn't mind
if I did this right?
No, I don't think he'd mind.
- That's fine.
- [Kemba] Yeah.
- How about this?
- [kisses]
Reality
It's a fantasy
- Yeah, that's fine.
- [kisses]
Please don't wake me
All my love is for you
Whatever you want I will do
You're the only one
I want in my life
For you I make
that sacrifice
[music continues on radio]
[Kemba] Hi.
[Lisa] Hey, Grandma.
Your parents have been calling
you the past couple days,
but you've been in and out.
Sorry.
I'm gonna see them
tomorrow so...
Well tell 'em you
live at the library,
'cause that's what
I've been saying.
Thank you.
What else have you
been telling 'em?
Just that you have the
best roommate ever.
Oh, okay.
Yeah I'll try to remember that.
[Kemba and Lisa laughing]
And is that a slight
accent I'm hearing?
Yeah, it must be
the Jamaican in me.
- [Mother] Oh.
- Yeah,
even though me and
my brother moved here
when we were really young, it
pops out from time to time,
[Kemba laughing]
if I'm nervous so...
You don't have to be nervous.
You're among friends.
[Gus] What are you
studying, Khalif?
Pre-law.
My sister's a
lawyer so I figure,
it can't be that hard right?
Oh, I'm just playing.
- I'm joking.
- [everyone laughing]
Hey Kemba, you
should pay attention.
Start thinking about
picking a major
and your possible career.
Okay, okay Dad.
You should listen to
your father, Kemba.
He knows what he's
talking about.
[Kemba] Okay.
Can I get anybody anything else?
I'll take a beer
if you have one.
You know, I think
I'll grab a beer too.
My man.
Oh, okay.
- So, we're having beer now?
- [Gus] Yeah.
[Odessa] Okay.
You think they like me?
How could they not?
I love you, Kemba.
I love you too.
[gentle upbeat music]
No more than that.
[Khalif] Okay sure.
[Kemba laughing]
Thinking about each
time I saw you
Girl, I didn't
know what to say
Or what to do
I know you were
so nervous too
[Kemba] It's so pretty.
Only wear it around me, though.
- I love you
- Okay.
Ain't nobody made
me feel like this
[phone ringing]
Can you get the phone?
They've been
calling all morning.
[Kemba] Hello?
Hi Daddy, yeah.
Everything's fine, I'm okay.
I love you
Ain't nobody make
me feel like this
Ain't no woman
Make me feel like
I love you
Hey baby you up early.
Everything's fine.
It's nothing.
Just go upstairs until
they leave, all right?
Okay.
f*ck.
[people chattering
in hushed tones]
[Kemba sighing]
[upbeat R&B music]
[Simone] Hey, long time.
How business going?
It's good.
So listen.
See that girl over there?
Yeah, I see her.
Yeah, that's the new girl.
You should go dance with her.
- Until he shows up.
- [mumbles]
[upbeat music continues]
[people chattering]
[guests laughing]
What's up y'all?
[Khalif] Hey what up, what up?
Where's Kemba?
She over there.
Having a goodtime.
And all I wanna know
Is he good to you
I like it
[loud thudding]
Damn!
Hey man.
Hey man, what?
Why you all acting like this?
Like what?
I'm just dancing.
Get your coat, we're
about to go right now.
All right?
We're going home.
What's wrong with you, Khalif?
[Khalif] We'll talk
about it later.
[loud thudding]
[Kemba] Why won't
you talk to me?
You don't even know what
could have happened to you.
I was just dancing with him.
Yeah, just dancing.
The guy that you was
just dancing with Kemba,
he deals in some real, some
real bad sh*t, you know that?
We were just dancing, like,
nothing would've happened.
Nothing would've happened?
How you know nothing
would've happened?
You know him?
Have you ever seen him before?
- No.
- No, no, no.
So how you know that nothing
would've happened to you, Kemba?
Please calm down.
So, how do you know
nothing would've happened?
Because I wouldn't
have done anything.
I was dancing with Lisa.
You stupid country b*tch.
[loud thwacking]
Come here.
The last girl that he was
just dancing with at a party,
he took to his house.
He drugged her and
then he r*ped her.
Is that what you
want to happen?
I didn't know that.
Is that what you
want to happen?
Honey, I didn't know.
Yeah, of course
you didn't f*cking know.
You want that to
happen to you?
[Kemba] No, I'm sorry.
Do you want that to
happen to you, Kemba?
You don't understand what
I'm trying to tell you.
No, no, come here.
Don't, come here.
Is that what you want?
No, listen, this is what
would've happened to you.
You understand me?
This is what would've
f*cking happened to you.
That's what would've happened.
[Kemba coughing]
He would've drugged you
and then he would've just,
he would've f*cking drugged you.
Kemba, you don't
f*cking understand.
This is what would've
happened to you.
[Kemba crying]
f*cking think this
sh*t is sweet.
It ain't f*cking sweet.
- [Kemba] No.
- [Khalif] You don't understand
You don't f*cking understand.
- [Kemba crying]
- I'm gonna make you understand,
all right?
I'm gonna make you understand.
[echoing] I'm gonna
make you understand.
Yo just wait. Kemba!
What's the matter with you?
Come on, it's been over a week.
Come on.
You gotta listen to me.
There's nothing to say.
I love you, Kemba.
You really hurt me.
I know.
I'm sorry.
I promise to never lay my hands
on you like that ever again.
All right?
[kisses]
[Khalif] I'll do
anything for you.
You hear me?
And you'd do anything
for me too, right?
We good.
[jet engine whirring]
[Khalif] You gonna go to New
York to drop cash with Carlos.
Just keep calm in security and
go straight to Carlos' place.
Don't talk to nobody.
Don't make no f*cking stops.
Look, no one will see the
cash under your clothes.
All right?
You trust me, right?
Please get this off me.
Sorry.
I was shaking all
through the airport.
I felt like everyone
was looking at me.
You did it though.
You know, I was hoping
that Khalif would maybe
send someone else like
Simone, or something.
Nah, Simone's too street.
Yeah, that's what he said.
So, uh...
how's Khalif?
Did he say anything about me?
No.
Why?
No reason, but I'm gonna
call you a cab, okay?
Okay. Okay
You did good, Kemba.
[night sounds]
[pattering footsteps]
[Gus] Kemba.
Whoa Dad,
what are you doing here?
We're worried about you.
You're not returning our calls
and we haven't seen or
talked to you in weeks.
[Kemba] I've just been busy.
Kemba.
There are bounty hunters
calling our house
looking for Khalif.
What?
We just wanna know
what's going on.
What are you doing?
Look, Dad,
I'm just really
tired right now.
But how about tomorrow?
I'll come over and we can
talk about everything.
Okay?
[Gus sighing]
You promise?
Come to the house
tomorrow morning,
no excuses.
I promise.
I'll come tomorrow,
talk about everything.
Okay?
I love you.
I love you, Kem.
I'm okay.
I just need some sleep.
Okay?
[Gus sighing]
[whirring traffic]
Khalif?
Kemba, what are
you doing here?
I told you to go
back to your dorm.
[Kemba] I know, I know.
The Feds got this place
under watch right now
and you're coming here?
I'm sorry, but I just
talked to my dad.
He said that bounty hunters
are calling his house.
What?
Damn [shushes].
They better not say nothing.
[Kemba] What?
I know where they live Kemba.
They wouldn't do anything.
You don't know
what they would do.
You don't know what
they would f*cking do.
I'm dealing with a
lot of sh*t right now.
sh*t that I can't really
talk to you about.
And now you coming in here
and you're talking
about some f*cking
bounty hunters
and your parents.
[soft ominous music]
[Khalif] I just need you to do
what the f*ck I say.
I'm about to go and meet
up with Carlos, right?
I gotta run an errand.
All right?
[Kemba] I was just with Carlos.
He's back now?
Don't ask me no questions.
Just stay here,
until I get back.
Can you do that?
Can you do that?
[Kemba] Yes.
[Khalif sighing]
Don't go nowhere.
[Khalif sighing]
Never wanna f*cking
listen to me.
[door banging shut]
[gentle music]
- [door banging open]
- [Kemba gasps]
- [Khalif] Let's go, let's go.
- [Kemba] Khalif?
[Khalif] Come on,
come on, come on.
We gotta get our sh*t.
[Kemba] What's going on?
[Khalif] Simone, bring your
f*cking a*s, come on.
Here here, take the bag.
Throw the sh*t in here.
All right?
Grab all of it, all of it.
[Kemba] Where you going?
Atlanta.
Okay.
What you doing?
I'm coming with you.
Nah, nah, nah.
I need you to stay
here and clean up.
No look hey, stay here.
Clean up and then go straight
to your parents' house.
All right?
Don't go nowhere else.
- Straight there, all right?
- Okay.
Okay.
Here, just page this number
when you get to
your parents' house.
[dramatic music]
Simone, go wait in the car.
- Khalif.
- Go wait in the car.
[dramatic music]
Is Carlos going with you?
[Khalif] Nah, he's not.
He's not?
[Khalif] He's not, he's not.
All right?
He ain't going f*cking nowhere.
[ominous music]
[Khalif sobbing]
[ominous music continues]
Page me,
when you get there, all right?
[ominous music continues]
[Kemba crying]
[rain trickling]
[Odessa] Kemba, oh my God.
Come here, baby.
Come in, come in.
You're getting soaked
out there, honey.
Come here.
Oh, baby, you were supposed
to be here this morning.
Your dad and I were so
worried about you.
[Kemba] I know, I'm sorry.
Are you okay?
Come here. Come Here.
- [Kemba] I'm okay.
- Oh, baby.
Where have you been?
[siren wailing]
What?
- [siren continues to wail]
- [rain pattering]
[Odessa] What's going on?
[Kemba] I don't know.
[Odessa] Okay.
[radio chattering]
Could you at least tell us
what you're looking for?
Peter Hall,
also known as Khalif Hall.
Well, he certainly isn't
in a dresser drawer,
that's for sure.
Do you know his whereabouts?
No, sir, we do not.
- [shattering glass]
- Hey.
That's my baby.
[Odessa] Gus, this is awful.
This is all a mistake, honey.
It's all a mistake.
It's gonna be fine.
[dramatic music]
You better not tell 'em sh*t.
[Kemba on phone] I didn't.
Yeah, well.
They ain't got sh*t on me.
This is k*lling my parents.
Maybe I should just
stay here a while.
Come on, Kemba, you
gotta stay focused.
Now is not the time to
f*ck around, all right?
I need you to come
meet me where I'm at.
[night sounds]
Look, Kemba your parents
they have each
other, you all I got.
You know that right?
[melancholic music]
Hello?
Okay.
All right, baby, I'll
see you soon.
[phone clicks]
[melancholic music continues]
[Kemba sighing]
[Kemba] Dear mom and dad,
I know you won't
understand this,
but,
I have to go.
Please don't look for me.
It's safer for you this way.
I will call you to let
you know that I'm okay
as soon as I can.
[Khalif] Oh.
[Kemba] I'm sorry for
disappointing you.
I love you.
[Khalif] How was the bus ride?
Where's the car?
[Khalif] Come on.
Never living in pain
[Khalif VO] Simone turned on me.
Tried to set me up.
Come on, come on, wake up.
[Khalif VO] We gotta move fast.
No patterns, no routines.
You hear me?
Come on, leave it, leave
it, leave it, come on.
- Come on.
- [gospel music]
Am I praying in vain?
Am I fasting in vain?
Am I wasting my time?
Can your clock be rewind
Have I let my light shine?
No
Of course not
What?
[Khalif clears his throat]
Are you happy?
[soft music]
Of course I'm happy.
[Kemba giggling]
[Khalif sighing]
What are we gonna do?
[gentle music]
I got you.
[Khalif sighing]
Should I go home?
Said I got you, right?
[Khalif continues to sigh]
Yo.
What happened?
What you mean he got picked up?
[Khalif muttering]
What's wrong?
Shane got picked up by
the Feds last night.
I can't keep doing this, Khalif.
I wanna go home.
Kemba, don't start
this sh*t, all right?
Don't f*cking start.
You know if you go home,
they going to make you
testify against Shane.
They gonna ask you
all these questions
and you can't handle that.
Your silly a*s will have
these mother f*ck
right here at my door.
I'm not gonna tell
them anything.
[Khalif laughing]
Oh, oh, yeah?
All right Ms. Smith, when was
the last time you saw Khalif?
I...
Yeah, that's the f*cking sh*t
I'm talking about right there.
You can't hesitate, Kemba.
That's when they
know you lying.
All right?
You want to go home so bad?
Prove to me that you ready
to go home right now.
I am done.
No, you're f*cking
not, sit down.
When was the last time
you saw Khalif, Kemba?
When was the last
time you saw Khalif?
- I'm done.
- You done?
You done?
[Kemba] Please.
[Khalif] Say that sh*t again.
I'm carrying your child, please.
[Kemba breathing heavily]
I know why you chose me.
What?
You could have had any girl,
but you chose me.
It's because I'm here.
I stayed.
But you always knew I would.
[thunder crackling]
[Kemba moaning]
What's this?
Blow out the candle.
Make a wish.
[Kemba sighing]
And, you were right.
It's time for you
to go back home.
[Kemba] What about the Feds?
Don't worry.
They don't got nothing on you.
[soft music]
Nothing.
My baby boy,
he gonna be somebody someday.
Somebody good, right?
Better than me.
Way better than me.
[soft music]
So, you need to go.
I don't wanna hurt you,
or the baby.
So, go give our son the
life he deserves, alright?
[menacing music]
You done good by
turning yourself in.
Frankly, we don't want
you, we want Khalif.
I don't know where he is.
We think you do.
Kemba, this is serious business.
But,
if you cooperate
and tell us what
we need to know,
then we can help you out.
You should listen to him, Kemba.
I'll be right back.
I gotta make a phone call.
Oh, should I wait for you?
Ah, no, no, I'll be quick.
Point to the ones you know.
How about him?
I don't know.
I think I should wait for
my lawyer to come back.
Not like Simone at all.
Simone?
See now, she was very helpful
and we were helpful to her.
They're both doing great now.
Mother and child.
Khalif must have
been a proud daddy.
Oh, you didn't know.
Well, he was two timing
you right under your nose.
Kemba,
help us find him and we'll
get you outta here faster.
And if you take a plea,
then we'll recommend you
serve only 24 months.
[Kemba breathing heavily]
[door banging shut]
[people chattering]
[Kemba sobbing]
[ominous music]
It's okay Kemba,
can you help me?
[Kemba panting]
[Lawyer] This is
the right decision.
Well, you can tell them that
I can give them the
last address we were at.
That'll probably help them
narrow down the search, right?
Yeah, the cooperation like this
will help your
case immeasurably.
I guess I could tell them
the name of the motels
we were at but,
I don't know, Matthew.
I just,
I don't know if that'll
really make a difference
with their,
what's wrong?
The authorities.
They found Khalif.
He was shot.
He's dead.
Khalif.
We're too late.
I'm so sorry.
This changes everything.
[Corrections officer]
Lights out.
[Matthew] With Khalif dead.
[Khalif] It's okay.
[Matthew] They still
want their fall guy.
We give them that,
and they give us
something in return.
A reduced sentence?
Well, that's how
plea deals work.
By saying I did
something I never did?
How is that better?
I never dealt any drugs,
but this says I did.
It doesn't make any sense.
And why is it blank here?
They will fill in the
drug weight later.
No matter how small
the involvement,
you're still a co-conspirator,
which means in the
eyes of the law,
you still bear the
burden of the conspiracy.
Meaning?
They wanna throw
the book at her.
Listen, Kemba, as I was
telling your parents,
the prosecutor and
I, we go way back.
He's a friend.
He's promising the
very best outcome,
to avoid serious jail time.
That's if you sign
the plea deal.
At most, you'll serve 24 months.
But that's a whole lot
better than decades.
You need to listen to Matthew.
[soft music]
[soft music continues]
[Matthew] What?
[Gus] No, no, no
hold on Matthew,
I don't understand.
They're holding her
responsible for 255 kilograms
of crack cocaine?
That doesn't affect
her plea deal, does it?
Matthew?
[Matthew] It's not good, Gus.
All right, so what's next?
[Kemba yelling]
You got this.
[Kemba groaning]
[soft music]
[Judge] Will the defendant
please approach the bench?
[Kemba moaning]
This is a criminal
action section two, 93162.
The United States
against Kemba Niambi Smith.
[Kemba crying]
- [baby crying]
- Oh my God.
- [Gus laughing]
- [baby crying]
[Judge] Pursuant to the
Sentencing Reform Act
and the 1994 federal crime bill,
this court is
bound by mandatory
minimum sentencing guidelines.
- [Kemba laughing]
- [baby cooing]
[Kemba] We can
call him Armani.
I do not believe incarceration
is of any benefit to you,
[Judge] because I personally
don't believe
you're a danger to society.
However, my hands are tied.
At least your incarceration
will be a deterrent to others.
And a warning.
[menacing music]
This is what happens when
you make poor decisions
in your youth.
It is the judgment
of the court,
that the defendant is to
be committed hereby,
to the custody of the United
States Bureau of Prisons,
to be imprisoned for
a term of 294 months.
[people gasping]
[Gus exclaiming]
[Judge] Bailiff!
[gavel banging]
[babbling] Kemba.
[dramatic music]
[people chattering]
[U.S. Marshall] This woman is a
federal prisoner.
Her legs must remain
shackled at all times.
No visitors.
Let's go!
Wait, wait, wait, wait, stop.
- [Odessa] This is wrong.
- [baby crying]
Gus, do something.
May I have a moment?
Wait outside.
This isn't protocol,
but I'll let you stay in the
next room for a couple of days.
That way you can take
custody of your grandson
when your daughter
is sent back to jail,
then he won't be turned
over to Social services.
It's gonna be okay.
[machine beeping]
[gentle music]
[Elaine] Thank you,
my cherished fellow
Delta sorors for this award.
Since recently taking over
the NAACP Legal Defense Fund,
I find myself
getting asked a lot,
"Now Elaine, what
is it y'all do?"
Ladies, Thurgood Marshall
founded the LDF back in 1940
and ever since our
team of lawyers
have been supporting
our community
and bringing about change
through legal mechanisms
and persuasion,
legal mechanisms and persuasion.
Nice speech.
But aren't you
preaching to the choir?
Can I help you?
I hope so.
Reginald Stewart.
From Emerge Magazine.
That's right.
I've read your articles,
but I don't have time to give
you an interview right now.
Actually, I've gotta a
lead on something else
you might have time for.
It's a story about
a nice college girl
from your neck of the woods.
- Virginia?
- Mmhmm.
I'm listening.
Yeah, she got caught
up in the w*r on drugs.
It's mandatory minimum
sentencing gone wrong.
More and more of those lately.
Chocolates?
No, thank you.
Those f*cking laws.
Those laws completely take
away the judge's discretion
to consider anything
about a defendant's
personal circumstances.
Absolutely.
Do you know that the
sentence disparity
between crack and powder
cocaine is 100 to one.
100 to one.
Crack is just cooked powder.
People think these
laws are helping,
but I want to expose
them for what they are.
Would love to get your
take on this, Ms. Jones.
[helicopter whirring]
[birds chirping]
[Reginald] So, how are you?
I try to focus on the good days.
[Reginald] What
does that look like?
When my mother can get
through a phone call,
or visit without crying.
When I can see my son.
So, you're interested
in my story.
Yes.
Yes, I am.
And so was George
Curry, our publisher.
I sense some hesitancy.
[soft music]
I don't wanna cause my
family any more pain.
Look,
I can't make any promises,
or control how
people will respond.
But here's what I do know.
Mandatory minimum
sentences don't work
the way that they
were intended.
You're proof of that.
Maybe we can draw some
attention to your story.
Middle class black
girl from the suburbs
with two educated parents.
Is this really
where your story at?
[phone ringing]
[Gus] Hello?
[Male voice on phone] Will you
accept reverse charges
for an inmate at Danbury
Correctional facility?
It's Kemba!
Yes, yes.
[Kemba] Hi Dad.
Hey, Kemba.
Got a little bit of good news.
I'm meeting with the new lawyer
tonight about your appeal.
Get some fresh eyes
in the situation.
Ah, thank you, Dad.
You've done so much already.
Yeah, you're
doing a good job
writing those letters
to those politicians.
I'm doing everything I can.
We're not gonna stop fighting
until we get you home.
Keep your head up.
Hold on, honey.
Talk to your son.
Hi, Armani.
- Hi baby.
- You say hello to Mommy.
I'm making you a new
scrapbook with animals.
Mommy loves you.
[Inmates chattering]
[Odessa] Hey, Kemba,
Armani's being such
a good boy today.
He is so smart.
Just like you, Kem.
Ah, Mom.
Look,
a reporter came by today.
He says he wants to
do an article on me.
Why?
We don't need to put our
business out there anymore
than we already have.
Yeah, yeah, I know, I know.
I just, [sniffles]
maybe my story could
help someone else.
It's bigger than just me.
[Odessa] I don't know Kemba.
[Guard] Time!
Okay,
Mom, I gotta go.
But just think about it please.
[Odessa] Okay, I will.
I love you, bye.
Love you.
[prisoner] Let's go, let's go.
[people chattering]
[prisoner] Come on!
- [Gus] Sam.
- [tapping on door]
Gus.
I've been trying to reach you.
[Gus] Yeah.
[Sam] Please, come in.
Come in.
Ah, I've been
reviewing your case
and odds aren't great, Gus.
Look,
look here.
I've been doing some research
on previous case studies,
and we have grounds for
prosecutorial misconduct
since they made us a promise.
They cut us a deal
and they reneged.
See?
It's right there,
It's all right there.
That implicates your
previous lawyer.
He'd have to admit, he and
the prosecutor were friends.
And quite frankly,
why would he do that?
Friend or not, somebody
broke a promise.
And that's what we
lead with on appeal.
Listen, Gus,
I don't want you to wake
up one day completely broke
for a wild goose chase.
Take the damn money
and do something.
I want my daughter out of
there, and I want her home, now.
I'm sorry.
I can't help you.
[soft dramatic music]
I was pleased and a little
surprised to get your call.
Well,
I don't want this to
be the end of my story.
And it won't be.
Take me back to the beginning
before all this happened.
What was your life like?
[phone softly ringing]
[Elaine] Thank you, Bruce.
[soft dramatic music]
[Gus] Odessa.
See?
See, now this is what I
was talking about Gus.
Look at this.
Look at this.
What are people gonna think?
Odessa,
this is what happened.
And she's finally
telling the truth.
The whole truth.
That's gonna set us all free.
It's gonna be all right.
[gentle dramatic music]
Kemba.
I read your article.
You think this is your story?
What I wrote in there
I'm not trying to--
This is my story too.
Keep your head up.
[soft music]
[Speaker 1] Dear Kemba--
- [Speaker 2] Dear Kemba--
- [Speaker 3] Dear Kemba--
- I read the article about--
- I read that article.
I think it's terrible
what happened to you.
It's terrible, what
happened to you.
The same thing
happened to my cousin.
The same thing happened
to my aunt.
... my sister.
[Speaker 2] I wanna
know how I can help so--
[Speaker 3] I wanna help you.
[Speaker 4] Half my family
is in, I wanna help.
[Speaker 2] Let us
know what we can do.
[Kemba VO] Sometimes I don't
recognize the girl
in the white dress
at her debutant ball.
That girl had everything.
Nice house, suburban
schools, great parents,
and no idea that soon,
everyone will be asking
where it all went wrong?
But I know
and I want you to know.
My name is....
[Group] Kemba.
[Bobby] Because we need to...
[Group] Free Kemba.
I don't think y'all heard
me, because we need to.
[Group] Free Kemba.
That's right.
Kemba's letter lit a
match inside of me.
Inside of every one of us here.
Now as a congressman
for Kemba's district,
I want nothing
short of clemency.
The president needs
to release her now.
Things are rolling.
No small thanks to Kemba
and her incredible parents.
You know what?
Gus, come here, come on.
Say a few words won't you?
Please.
It's all right, come on.
My name is Gus Smith.
I'm the CFO of a
firm in Richmond.
My wife, Odessa is
a school teacher.
I'm telling you this
because most people think
that when someone's
sentenced to 24
and a,
24 and a half years in prison,
that they had absentee parents.
Our daughter,
made a mistake.
But she is not a bad person
and she does not deserve
this unjust sentence.
And this is why
we're fighting today.
Because we need to...
[Group] Free Kemba.
Because we need to...
[Group] Free Kemba.
[Bobby] Because we need to..
[Group] Free Kemba.
[Bobby] Because we need to...
[Group] Free Kemba.
[Bobby] Because we need to...
[Group] Free Kemba.
[Bobby] Imagine my surprise
to see the LDF step away
from their books
and legal briefs,
to grace us with their presence.
Oh, well, I for one,
was not surprised
to see our hardworking
congressman here today.
Well, I think that
was a compliment.
[Bobby and Elaine laughing]
Oh, it's good to see
you again, Bobby.
[Bobby] You too, you too.
So,
- clemency.
- Yes.
Clemency.
I think they have
one heck of a shot
given her circumstances.
It's a roll of the dice this
early in the process Bobby,
if this is not effectively
adjudicated in the courts first,
Clinton will not even consider
commuting her sentence.
We have momentum Elaine.
We have to keep
the pressure on.
Yes, but you know
how rare clemency is.
I presume you must
have liked the article.
Kemba's case has
piqued my interest.
Is that Kemba's little boy?
[Bobby] Yeah.
Yeah, it is.
[door bell ringing]
[Gus] Hello.
Come on in, come right in.
Thank you.
Thank y'all for seeing me.
You have a lovely home.
You should have seen it before.
My priorities used
to be dusting.
These days it's about
getting my daughter
released from prison.
Thank you for coming, uh,
please have a seat.
Can I get you anything?
I'm fine, thank you for asking.
Well, Kemba no longer
has legal representation.
Is that right?
For now you're just campaigning.
Just campaigning.
Yes, we've moved on
from our last lawyer.
We're just writing
letters to politicians,
civic leaders, church leaders,
news reporters, TV
producers, celebrities
and whoever else we can get
to tell the world
about Kemba's story.
That there is just
my 20th letter today.
[dramatic music]
And your speech earlier.
I would call that a
very productive day.
Ms. Jones, lawyers
let our Kemba down.
What are you gonna
do differently?
I'm sure you've all
read this by now.
Yes.
Terrible.
She's a non-violent offender.
24 and a half years.
That's more than
the state average
for voluntary
manslaughter, or m*rder.
24 and a half years.
And for what,
falling in love
with the wrong guy?
And lying to the authorities.
She was abused and traumatized.
She wasn't perfect.
But look at the government's
failure in all this.
They reneged on a deal.
The pre-sentence report said
Kemba was guilty of conspiracy
to distribute 255
kilograms of crack cocaine.
And they got that
weight by adding up
all the drugs this
guy had ever dealt,
including before he met Kemba.
- It's egregious.
- Well, of course but--
Even the prosecutor stated
Kemba didn't handle,
use, or sell any of the drugs.
They treated the girlfriend
like the kingpin.
The kingpin had her trapped.
It's ridiculous.
The judge actually fell asleep
when the domestic
violence expert testified.
It's the girlfriend problem.
He did the crime, now
she's doing the time.
Too much time.
This is a college
girl from my hometown.
She got caught up.
If it can happen to her,
it can happen to anyone.
Okay, I get it.
But as a nonprofit
funded by donations,
you know we have
limited resources.
Would this case even
make big enough impact
to make a difference?
Impact.
Ted, if every woman
who ever fell in love
with the wrong guy got 24
and a half years in prison,
you wouldn't have ever met me.
There wouldn't be any women
of any color on the streets.
[gentle music]
[door buzzing]
Hello.
It's nice to meet you Kemba.
I'm Elaine Jones.
Thank you for coming Ms. Jones.
Call me Elaine.
Okay.
Thank you, Elaine.
So, I guess my
glamorous magazine cover
caught your attention.
It did.
You still have a lot of
life left in you Kemba
and I'm gonna try to
help you get out of here,
so you can live it with
your son if you'll let me.
I wasn't even allowed
to date until I was 18
and no boys would
come to my house,
'cause they knew how
strict my folks were.
You know, Spellman was
actually my first choice,
but my parents wanted
me to be closer to home.
So, we compromised with Hampton.
I guess by the time I got there,
I couldn't wait to break free.
[soft music]
Well, now a few late
nights is one thing,
but how did you get
mixed up with this guy?
When I met Khalif,
the world stopped.
I mean, so charming,
fly, dated beautiful
girls, popular girls,
and the love he showed me like,
I felt special,
for a while.
And then,
when things got bad, I just,
I thought that they
would be just temporary.
And when they got worse,
it was too late.
I was all he had.
I've been in therapy
and we've been learning
about trauma bonding.
It's like when
someone hurts you,
but they also rescue you.
I think it just started
because I was insecure.
I didn't have any
love for myself.
That shouldn't get you
24 years in prison.
Yeah well, the judge said,
"This is what happens
"when you make poor
decisions in your youth."
Most people make a
lot of poor decisions
when they're young.
But the system is
particularly unkind
when black girls
make those decisions.
I wanna file a motion of relief.
The judge, the prosecutor
made a mess of your case.
You sign this and we can
start on your appeal.
[soft music]
My parents remortgaged
their house.
They spent all their
life savings on lawyers.
I don't, I can't make them
pay for anything else.
You don't have to.
LDF receives donations
to take cases like yours.
[soft music continues]
[door bell rings]
Hello.
Good to see you, Odessa.
[Odessa] Good to see you.
Oh, come in please.
- Hello.
- Hello.
Hi.
[Odessa chuckling]
Who are all your friends?
They're our friends.
This is Marsha Fudge,
president of Delta Sigma
Theta Sorority Incorporated.
[Odessa] Oh, nice to meet you.
This is Jane Smith,
president of the National
Council of n*gro Women.
[Odessa] Oh.
This is Dr. Barbara Simpsons.
- Pleasure.
- She works with
Dr. Patricia Russell McLeod,
president of Links Incorporated.
Well,
how do you all know each other?
We're all Deltas.
Well, thank you for coming.
Why don't you step this way?
Come make yourself at home.
Gus, we're gonna
need some more tea.
Now see those earrings on Kemba?
Those belong to her aunt Ruth.
Yeah.
And that dress, she
thought it was too much.
We were so proud of her.
- Precious.
- With all due respect,
I'm glad you're here.
But what are you gonna
be able to do to help us?
Oh, it won't just
be these women.
It'll be all of the thousands,
upon thousands of women
that belong to
their organizations
writing letters, calling
congressional representatives,
meeting with community
leaders in person
to rally support for Kemba.
Now here's the plan.
While LDF works on
Kemba's legal case,
you and Gus,
should continue your
public education campaign.
And these ladies will help
raise awareness of the case.
This is a movement now.
Okay, then.
Where's the first stop?
[triumphant music]
[Elaine] We wanna send
out a signal to the media
that you have support
and resources.
Thank you.
This is an answered prayer.
[people clapping]
I've heard politicians
of all shades say,
"Mandatory minimum
sentences are fair
and keep our streets safe."
Neither of those
assertions are true.
[upbeat music]
[Gus] Good afternoon.
Thank you for coming.
[Odessa] Yes, thank
you for being here.
Hello.
If you have in your possession
this amount of crack cocaine,
you could be sentenced
to five years in prison,
without possibility of parole.
If you're caught in
possession with two pounds
of powder cocaine, you
would get probation.
Now why do you think that is?
Could it be because nearly 90%
of crack offenders are black
and their average sentences
are twice as long?
Whereas the majority of
cocaine offenders are white.
[Crowd] Free Kemba.
Free Kemba.
Well, there are several
government officials,
who have publicly acknowledged
that there is a problem
with our current
sentencing laws.
Just to name a few,
Supreme Court
Justices, Rehnquist,
Breyer, and Kennedy,
and judges Terry Hatter
and Jack Weinstein.
So, this is not a Democrat,
or a Republican issue.
It's a bipartisan issue,
that needs correcting
by the very same people
who wrote these laws.
The Free Kemba campaign
is growing stronger.
CNN's covering it,
Washington Post.
[Elaine] It all helps.
I have people who wanna
be involved like Puffy,
Spike Lee, Lisa Ray,
Chico de Barge, Missy Elliot,
Sister Soldier.
I heard.
It seems you don't want
them to be involved.
Kemba, we are handling
the appeal process.
That's what we do.
I feel it's taking too long.
I spoke with Congressman Scott,
he thinks I should
push for clemency now.
I don't wanna miss my window.
We went over this, Kemba.
We have to work through the
courts before the president
would even consider
a clemency request.
We're running out of time.
Are you sure this
is the right way?
Of course it is.
All of this takes time.
Strategy.
LDF is devising
that legal strategy.
George Kendall on our team is
drafting a clemency petition
so it's ready when it's needed.
All of this takes time.
[suspenseful music]
[Odessa] We've done dozens of
speaking engagements
all across the country,
colleges,
high schools, churches,
and people are listening.
The tides are turning, Kemba.
And Elaine says, we're gonna
hear about the appeal soon.
That's great.
[guard] Time.
Oh, that was so quick.
[buzzing buzzer]
All right.
[Odessa] All right, we
have to go now, baby.
Okay?
[Kemba] Come on.
Let's go.
Gotta say goodbye now.
Love you, Dad.
[Odessa] I love you so much.
[Kemba] I love you too, Mom.
Bye, little man.
So happy I got to see you.
I want you to come home mommy.
Come here.
[Armani crying]
Don't cry.
[Gus] Hey son,
it's time for us to go, okay?
[Armani] No.
No.
- [Kemba] I gotta go.
- [Armani] No.
No.
I need you to break
it up right now.
Excuse me.
He's just trying to say goodbye.
Just give us a moment.
One minute.
[Armani] No.
You gotta go.
[Armani] No.
[Kemba] Let go, I'm sorry.
[Gus] We gotta go, we gotta go.
I'm sorry.
[Gus] Just come with
papa, come with papa.
It's okay, it's okay, it's okay.
[Armani crying]
[Odessa] It's okay.
You know, I think
that this is just
becoming a little hard on him.
I don't think you should
come back for a while.
You don't think we should
come back for a while?
Well,
for how long?
I just think he needs a
break from all this you know?
And I think that you and dad
need a break from all this.
Then we'll see you at Christmas.
Mama.
[Odessa] Yes, baby?
Please don't come.
[Odessa sobbing]
[birds chirping]
[Michelle] Another book.
What you reading now?
It's just legal research,
trying to learn
more about my case.
Maybe someday I'll
go to law school.
I don't know.
Those family visits.
It never gets easier.
Yeah.
Michelle,
are you ever afraid
that your daughter
will forget about you?
Every single day.
Look around here.
Too many women separated
from their babies,
'cause of some nonsense
with their man.
Kemba Smith was not a criminal,
but she made the mistake
taking up with one.
She was never a
distributor of drugs,
but occasionally
performed minor acts,
to aid someone who was.
Her pleas of guilty,
justly acknowledged
these mistakes
and she was prepared to
accept a just punishment.
But she was deceived
by the government
and not adequately
protected by her lawyers,
who have since gone
on record with me
in support of this defense.
We want to secure for Kemba
what belongs to every American,
fair and even handed treatment
in our courts of law.
Did the punishment
fit Kemba's crime?
24 and a half years.
Did the punishment
fit the crime?
Now that's impact.
Well done, Elaine.
We'll compile notes
on the brief today.
[Kemba] Hi.
[Lisa] Hey, roomie.
So good to see you.
[Lisa] So good to see you.
Look at you, you're beautiful.
Look at you.
I got your letters.
Read the Emerge article.
I had to come see you.
Thank you.
How was your drive?
You look like
you're about to pop.
[Lisa] And be a mom like you.
Not quite like me.
So how are you?
How are your parents?
Oh my parents they're good.
I've been seeing them on the TV.
[Kemba laughing]
How about Armani?
Have you gotten to see him?
Armani's been amazing.
Amazing.
He's getting so big.
It's crazy.
- He--
- It's okay.
No, I'm fine.
I'm fine.
I'm okay.
I'm sorry.
I don't know when I'm
gonna see him again.
Okay.
[Lisa sighing]
Girl, I should have done
more for you back then.
Lisa.
I was in love.
It's not your fault.
It's not,
really it's okay.
Okay.
[knocking on door]
[Speaker] Elaine?
Not a good time.
I've been working on
this brief for hours
and still need to
review George's clemency
petition for Kemba.
I got a early word from a source
and as expected,
they denied the appeal.
[Elaine chucking]
Okay, if it's a fight they want,
it's a fight they're gonna get.
Call the team.
Guess I need to give my notes
on this petition tonight.
[Elaine chucking]
[knocking on door]
[Michelle] Lynn said
you were looking for me.
Hey Michelle, I got
something for you.
[Michelle] What's this?
I told the Deltas about you.
I guess they wanted
to say hello.
I lost my appeal.
I let myself have hope
that the courts would
gimme a second chance.
They didn't believe
I deserved it.
I'm starting to think the same.
Everybody deserves
a second chance.
You gotta believe that.
I gotta believe that.
[gentle music]
[Odessa] What's the 56 mean?
That's the number of days left
before Clinton leaves office.
And what happens if he
doesn't release Kemba by then?
We'd have to start over with
a new clemency campaign
with the next president.
There will be new players.
It could take years and
there are no guarantees.
And even now, the
odds aren't good.
Prior to this year,
president Clinton
received 3,500 petitions
to commute prisoner sentences
and he only granted 15 of 'em.
We have a well-written
persuasive petition.
We have a shot.
This is our last card to play.
We need to make sure that
Kemba's clemency petition
does not just end up
on someone's desk.
We need to get it
into the right hands.
[Odessa] Tell us
how we can help.
We will do anything you need.
It would be great to get
you and Gus on some calls.
We work well face to face too.
We need to keep pressing
people with connections
to the committee that's
drawing up the clemency list.
But our time's running out
for scheduling meetings.
Well, do they have
to be scheduled?
[gentle music]
I'll get you next time, thanks.
Hey.
[Gus laughing]
[Gus] Good game.
Almost had it.
You just need to keep
working on that serve.
You know you could
really learn something
by watching Venus Williams.
[Gus] Carl Fleming, right?
With the sentencing commission.
Do I know--?
No, I'm Gus Smith.
- This is my wife Odessa.
- Hi.
I think maybe you're
a little confused.
We're here to talk to you
about our daughter's
clemency petition.
Oh.
Are you on my schedule?
We are now.
[gentle music]
Who are you writing
to today Gus?
[Gus] The one person we
really should be bumping into.
[Gus] Dear President Clinton, I
am the father of Kemba Smith.
A young lady who's serving a
24 and a half year sentence
in a drug related case.
I appeal to you,
not as president of
the United States,
but as a father.
You see, I have a special
bond with my daughter
as I've seen that
you have with yours.
Of course, I understand
that the president states--
[Man] Sir, I have a
young lady here
who was sentenced to
24 and a half--
[Man 2] All we need,
is a chance for her
to get a fair shake.
Now I know you can swing
an invitation or two.
[Newsreader] A Virginia
debutante and mother--
Come on.
[Newsreader]
Kemba Smith...
Not that I would ever
keep score, but you owe me.
Yes then, I'll hold.
[Interviewer] What's
Christmas like in a prison?
Tough.
Ask any prisoner,
they'll say the same.
Yeah real tough.
I just wanna be home
decorating the tree,
making cookies for my son.
Just to be there for him.
Making memories.
Not being there
with your loved ones
to share in the joy
is heart wrenching.
[Interviewer] How
do you stay strong?
Just hold on to your faith.
Trust God and focus on the
true meaning of Christmas.
[mellow piano music]
Amen Kemba.
Well, Ben?
Now we're talking.
[phone ringing]
Hello?
Gussy.
Elaine's on the phone.
Any updates?
[Odessa] She wants to
know if you have a tux.
[Bill Clinton] We
should promise,
that no one our children's age,
is denied that chance to
walk through the doorway
of their dreams.
That is our mission.
And I promise to pursue
that with you hand-in-hand
until my last day
as your president.
Thank you.
God bless you.
[audience clapping]
And here comes the
Washington chief.
Now is your chance.
We only have a few days left.
You have to go now.
[Gus] We gotta try.
[Speaker] Mr. President!
[Speaker 2] Mr. President!
[Odessa] Mr. President.
[Odessa] We're Kemba
Smith's parents.
[Speaker 3] It's urgent. Please.
[overlapping chatter]
[chatter continues]
[Clinton] It's nice to
meet you, Mrs. Smith.
I know of Kemba's case.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Please let our girl come
home where she belongs.
[Clinton] I'm working on it.
[Speaker 1] President.
[Speaker 2] President Clinton.
[overlapping chattering]
[Gus] It's all right,
- it's all right.
- [Odessa sobbing]
It's okay, I'm here baby.
[birds chirping]
[dramatic music]
[phones ringing]
[people chattering]
[Speaker] All right.
[Announcer] President Clinton
is making his own list
this holiday season,
passing out pardons
and clemencies to
a number of people.
And we're live at the
White House for White House
Press Secretary Jake Siewert
is taking the podium.
We'll find out who is, and
maybe more importantly,
who is not on that
list, shortly.
[Newsreader] Good morning.
The president has made
his final list of pardons--
Everyone.
Everyone!
[Newsreader] And the
list is as follows.
[Kemba breathing heavily]
Jimmy Lee Allen,
Virgil Lemoyne Baker,
Aaron D. Barker,
Nancy M. Baxter.
[Kemba breathing heavily]
What's up beautiful?
I'm gonna make you understand.
You don't f*cking understand.
[Attorney] ...recommend
you only serve...
[overlapping dialogue]
[Khalif] It's okay.
Our baby boy.
You gonna be somebody.
[Armani crying]
[Judge] I do not
believe incarceration
is of any benefit to you,
because I don't believe that
you are a danger to society.
[Armani] I want you
to come home mommy.
[Judge] It is the judgment of
the court that the defendant
is to be committed
hereby to the custody
of the United States
Bureau of Prisons,
to be imprisoned for
a term of 294 months.
[Kemba yelling and sobbing]
[Newsreader] Thomas
Edward Nash, Jr.
Jose Renee Hernando Martinez,
John Russell Ralph,
Kemba Niambi Smith.
- [people cheering]
- [Newsreader continues]
[Michelle] Kemba?
Kemba!
Kemba!
Kemba!
You got your clemency.
You're free.
[Kemba] What are
you talking about?
You got your clemency.
[soft, bright music]
- No.
- Yeah.
[Michelle crying and laughing]
Mommy's coming home.
Mommy's coming.
Your mommy's coming home.
Our baby's coming home.
[people cheering]
[triumphant music]
[inaudible dialogue]
[Michelle] You're going home.
[Kemba sobbing]
[inmates cheering]
[inmates chattering]
[Michelle] Don't
forget about me.
I'm gonna give this back
to you on the outside.
Yeah?
Yeah.
[soft melancholic music]
[Michelle sniffling]
[inmates cheering]
[Inmate] Bye.
See ya.
God be with you.
[inmates chattering]
[sentimental music]
[People] Kemba.
Kemba!
Kemba.
Kemba!
[people cheering]
Kemba!
Kemba.
[Speaker] Ms. Smith.
Thank you.
Excuse me, ma'am.
[Speaker] Kemba.
Welcome home, Kemba.
[people cheering]
Kemba.
Kemba!
Kemba, what are you gonna
do now that you're free?
Make up for lost
time with my family
and try to use what I've
learned to help others.
That's so beautiful.
Wait, one more question.
One more question.
[people chattering]
[Speaker 1] Kemba,
one more question.
[Reporter] Kemba,
do you see yourself
as a victim of the
criminal justice system?
No.
I suffered the consequences
of choosing to love a man,
who left me traumatized.
A situation far too many
women have experienced.
I suffered the consequences
of a legal system,
that all too often targets
black and brown people unfairly.
And for a long time,
I suffered the consequences
of my own choices,
my own lack of self-worth.
I am not a victim.
I'm a survivor,
I'm a fighter.
And the fight has
only just begun.
Thank you.
Kemba.
Kemba!
[gentle music]
...but in the meantime, an awfl
lot of people were jailed
for minor drug
crimes after that.
[Joe Biden] Exactly right.
Was it a mistake to support it?
Yes, it was.
[gentle music continues]
And so I said, this
system is wrong.
And Elaine, somehow
you going to make
some contribution to change it.
[triumphant music]
Luckily, I was fortunate enough
to get out after six
and a half years,
but there's still many others
who are still behind bars,
first time non-violent
drug offenders,
who need to be home as well.
[gentle melancholic music]
[melancholic music continues]
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Kemba (2024)
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