Where's the Justice?
(In Life and Love)

Admittedly, my social life could use a little socializing! More times than not, I must confess, I’m more work than play. So when I recently received a summons for jury duty, I was geeked to get away from the daily grind, serve my civic duty, and solve a real-life whodunit!

Unlike most of my peers, I’ve always looked forward to being called, but somehow seemed to escape the selection radar; which is hard to believe, considering recent news accounts that reported that a 2-year old had actually been summoned!

But after my recent reckoning with reality, I painfully understand why many folks dodge duty! I’d like to offer some insight on our current court system and some needed corrections.

Here's the Deal:

1. The lawyers in court look nothing like Bobby and Eugene on “The Practice”. Nor did they have the charisma of Allan Shore or Denny Crain of “Boston Legal.” And the judges certainly weren’t as sexy or entertaining as Judge Greg Mathis or Judge Alex Ferrer. And frankly, well… I object!

2. The $17.20 pauper’s pay for a day’s service (which has been unchanged for decades) hardly seems just and equitable, given inflation, travel expense, and lunch. My recommendation? If the system is going to pay “slave wages” at least throw some scraps to the “help” in the way of a free meal!

3. Potential jurors should be grouped according to similar personality traits. For example, the happy-to-be-here perky “morning people” should definitely not be integrated with the rest of us. It’s like incarcerating felons with jaywalkers! Things could get ugly. Not to mention, 8:30 a.m. is way too early in the morning to be “held captive” in conversation with a total stranger regarding real estate matters, politics, and reasons for romantic break ups. That’s just too much information, and should be revealed on a need to know basis. Really. And trust me, it could very easily contribute to another crime being committed right in the waiting areas.

4. Give us some cases we can sink our teeth into. Like Kramer vs. Kramer, or Erin Brokovich. Not some sissy stuff dealing with insurance disputes and he-say she-say.

CASE CLOSED!

“I hereby solemnly swear” that adherence to the above guidelines will go a long way towards pulling in potential jurors, and ensuring liberty and justice for all!

And speaking of injustices…

Have you been tuned into “THE BACHELOR” which airs every Monday?

One of the contestants (Allie, a doctor in her 30s) has been screaming bloody murder because she didn’t receive a rose from Travis, A.K.A. “Doctor Hunk”! (Now there’s a doctor I’d like to get a “house call” from!) How come none of my doctors ever looked like that?

Anyway, she felt that the doctor’s decision to eliminate her from the competition so early was completely unfair, and a reflection of his immaturity and inability to commit. Talk about clueless! Could it be that her statement that she wanted to "reproduce soon" (because her eggs were rotting), maybe scared him away?! She’s obviously devoted way too much time to developing her career, and not enough to developing her “Guy-Q”. She put the cart before the horse, and revealed her hand much too soon! Not to mention, she was a sore loser.

Truth is, rejection happens to us all. Whether it’s Jennifer Anniston, Vivica Fox, or the Desperate Housewives. And when it does, the best that we can do is learn from it and move on.

Who ever said love was fair?!

Here are a few other injustices to add, while we're on the subject:

» The unfair ratio of men to women, particularly in the black community.

» That there’s only 1 Denzel Washington and Keanu Reeves.

» That Cupid has vision problems.

» That there’s no statute of limitations on love and stupidity.

» That women grow “older” while men become more “distinguished” with age.

» That the guys who are good catches usually seem to be drawn to high-maintenance drama queens!

» That far too many people fail to realize a good thing until it’s gone.

» That chivalry is practiced so rarely.

Here's hoping that love gives you a fair shake in the new year!
Until next time…

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Jennifer's Gems is a weekly column written by award-winning poet and writer, Jennifer Brown Banks. It is published every Wednesday. Click here to read her welcome letter.