Clinton can do the right thing on his way out

For various reasons, many, if not most, Blacks feel President Bill Clinton has been good for them. Although he rode into office on a centrist platform and even has watched as harmful laws have been passed under his pen, he has appointed more Blacks to his cabinet than presidents of past eras and he has tried to appoint a significant number of judges to the federal bench.

He�s even joked that he�s the country�s first Black president.

As he prepares to leave office in January, President Clinton can do one thing for the Black community that would be appreciated by us all.

And that is, grant a pardon to Kemba Smith.

Kemba is a young lady who at age 24 was sentenced to 24 years in prison in 1995 as a result of devastating mandatory minimum sentencing laws that stiffened penalties for drug offenses. Kemba, a first time offender with no previous record, was romantically and somewhat naively involved with a drug dealer but played no part in his criminal activities. Her sentence carries no chance for parole.

After being swooned off her feet by the street smart boyfriend, she reportedly fell further under his control through violent beatings and threats to her family. Kemba also reportedly suffered a miscarriage because of the physical abuse.

However, while in prison Kemba did give birth to a son, now 5-years-old, fathered by her former boyfriend who has since died in an act of violence. Her son is being cared for by her loving parents, whose vigil for justice for their daughter has drawn international attention.

In a column for the Black press that she recently penned, Kemba, reflecting on her years behind bars, wrote from her cell in Danbury, Conn. "Five years is more than enough time for someone to learn from their mistakes � . Crimes were committed, and punishment should be served, but the majority of these women here are non-violent�some even first-time offenders, like me�who are no threat to society. I guarantee we are less than a threat compared to those cops who are walking free on the streets who shot Amadou Diallo. Where is justice? Really."

We agree. More than enough "justice" has been served and Kemba deserves to be free so she can be the asset to society that she intended to be prior to taking a wrong turn while on the campus of Hampton University. She has a painful experience to share with thousands of other young, na�ve women who are venturing down the same path. She deserves that chance to share that experience and, perhaps, save some lives.

We appeal to President Clinton to pardon Kemba Smith.

[The following is the mailing address for a letter to President Bill Clinton, asking him to grant clemency to Kemba Smith: President Bill Clinton, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C. 20500. You may also contact your congressman.]