Jennifer Gonnerman

As a young african american male, I’ve encountered many challenges and obstacles that has been tough to overcome for any male; especially male of color. Novelist Jennifer Gonnerman shared one forth of what African American males go through on a day to day basis, in her article, “Before the Law,” that sheds light on a particular incident about a kid from Bronx named Kalief Browder; who was falsely accused of taking a backpack from a New York resident on the day of Saturday, May 15, 2010. Kalief Browder spent the next two to three years confined in Rikers Island (Correctional Facility), which is a four-hundred-acre island in the EastRiver, between Queens and the Bronx. Kalief Browder was being charged with many charges such as robbery, grand

In 1997 to 2006, Jennifer wrote for, The Village Voice, where she discussed the criminal justice system. Jennifer Gonnerman has accomplished many awards one being the Sidney Award from the Hillman Foundation because of the “Last Home Standing,” a New York magazine story about the victim of a predatory lending scandal. The Livingston Award for young journalists, the Meyer Berger Award from the Columbia University Graduate school of journalism, and eight Front Page Awards from Newswomen’s Club of New York. Also, Jennifer wrote her first book, “Life on the Outside: The Prison Odyssey of Elaine Barlett,” about a woman that spent sixteen years of her life incarcerated under New York’s Rockefeller drug laws, although she was a first time offender. Eight months after this book was published Jennifer made an impact on New York’s legislators. Jennifer persuaded New York’s legislators to reform these notorious laws. This book made Jennifer Gonnerman yet again a finalist for the National Book

Jennifer explains it as such, Kalief Browder and a friend were returning home from a party in Belmont section of the Bronx. The two walked through Arthur Avenue, then to East 186th street; where the two were spotted by a police cruiser that proceeded to drive toward them both. In the matter of seconds more squad cars arrived to East 186th Street. The spotlight was on the two boys Browder was blinded by the glare from the police light. The officer approached Kalief Browder and stated that, a man reported he has been robbed by Kalief Browder and his friend. Kalief Browder replied, “I didn’t rob anybody, you can check my pockets!” The officer searched the two suspects, and did not find anything. As one of the officers approached the alleged victim that was present on the scene while Kalief Browder and his friend was being searched. The officer came back with another story aside from the explanation that was given initially. The officer stated the victim switched his story from, being robbed that night to being robbed two weeks prior. A little afterwards Kalief Browder and his friend were being handcuffed and placed into the back of a squad car, where a officer stated, We’re just going to take you to the precinct, most likely you can go home.” In the mist of it all happening Kalief Browder is shouting still claiming his innocence. Once arriving to the