I remember walking into Russell’s office years ago to the sight of a camera crew filming him. I listened as he spoke passionately to 20+ high school students all seated on the floor. He was speaking about the rally to repeal the Rockefeller Drug Laws.
I thought the cameras were just another news crew doing another story profile piece, but for weeks afterward, I kept seeing the same crew around the office. I soon learned that they were making a documentary about these laws.
Next, I remember how happy Russell was when Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Mariah Carey, Fat Joe, The Beastie Boys, Andrew Cuomo, then State Senator David Paterson, then Senator Hillary Clinton and so many others from the hip-hop community came out to advocate for an end to these laws.
Finally, I remember the day he came home with a big smile on his face and a pen in his hand. I didn’t understand why he was so happy to be holding this pen until I learned that our then-Governor had signed legislation slightly rolling back the Rockefeller Drug Laws and had given him the pen he used.
It, of course, wasn’t the pen that was so important to Russell. As I’ve recently reminded him, the pen is lost somewhere in our daughter Ming Lee’s room.
Most important was the impact he’d had in a movement that was supporting families and re-building our communities. So, I was pleased a few weeks ago when Russell was given another pen-this time from Governor David Paterson, who courageously ended 36 years of biased and shortsighted drug legislation.
As a person of color, a mother of two daughters and one child on the way, a businesswoman and a concerned citizen, I believe that we need a shift in mindset. Drug abuse should be treated as the health care issue it is.
In the near future, Russell will engage public figures and public citizens alike in his fight to repeal similar laws across the US. As someone who committed herself to this cause years ago, I couldn’t be happier.
I am an investor in Global Grind but I’ve never posted or blogged on this site until now.
But now is the time speak up and speak out.
Because now is the time to end the War on Drugs.
Love and Light,
Kimora Lee Simmons
