2 BOCNEWS.com NOVEMBER 2018 October is Domestic Violence (DV) month.  On average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States.  During one year, this equates to more that 10 million women and men. Every 1 in 3 women have been victims of (some form of) physi- cal violence by an intimate partner within their lifetime.   We pray for the healing of those who have been forever scarred, and are yet suffering as survi- vors from this violent epidemic that is coming to light in this country. The Greater Metro Denver Ministerial Alliance (GMDMA) is committed first and foremost to justice for survivors. Above all else every victim deserves to tell their story. Every perpetrator of domestic violence and any form of sexual assault should never be allowed to escape justice based on the limits or expansion of time. Though we recog- nize that men can be the victims of DV, we seek to make no false equivalents to who are overwhelmingly the vic- tims and who are overwhelmingly the perpetrators of domestic and sexual violence. The victims are immeasur- ably women. The perpetrators are for the most part men. No community and no profession seem immune to this hideous societal ill. As ministers of the gospel of Jesus, the GMDMA is called to seek justice and healing for victims and justice and rehabilitation for perpetrators. Seeking to balance justice for victims and per- petrators is always difficult. Often, there is very little room to fully satisfy either side. As awkward as this calling is it is a responsibility that none who are called can avoid. The events of the past week concerning Representative Jovan Melton remind us of this very fact.  In his case it is clear that in 1999 he was involved in a Domestic Violence disturbance that lead to his plea, con- viction, and subsequent deferred sen- tence, community service, and a per- manent restraining order. It is our prayer and hope that the survivor of his actions is receiving the healing and help needed to continue to survive the residual trauma of Representative Melton’s crime. As for Mr. Melton, we pray for his rehab and healing and as men and women of God we seek to do what is right for all persons involved. Mr. Melton’s subsequent conviction is not up for debate, nor would we attempt to minimize what happened to the survivor. What is in dispute is an individual’s right to pursue a profes- sion in politics as an elected official after completing their court appointed mandatory punishment. Mr. Melton has done this very thing and has been serving the metro community for the past 8 years. During these elected years there has been no evidence that he has continued to engage in any behavior similar to crimes for which he was charged and convicted. We are extremely suspicious of those mem- bers of the Democratic Party who chose to ignore the facts that he paid for his crime. When you consider the fact that Senior Democratic Leadership has supported Domestic Violence and sexual offenders currently serving in State Government, None who currently serve in the Colorado State govern- ment who face charges have yet to be even censored by the Democratic Leadership. None are African-American and none, save Steve Lebsock who eventually became a gross liability, has been asked to resign. The move on Representative Melton seeking his resignation reeks of racist hypocrisy. There are no laws currently on the books that prohibit an individual from seeking elected office if he or she is convicted of a crime after having served their punishment. We are clear that though America is a nation of laws and rights, African Americans have never found favor with America’s laws and rights. Far too many futures have been lost and destroyed by records that cannot be erased and a past that cannot be escaped because the sys- tem is set on keeping black men and women perpetually imprisoned.  At issue here is whether or not this is a state and Democratic Party that believes in second chances, rehabili- tation, and restoration. Or, does the appetite for punishment exceed the need to rehabilitate? Is retoration even possible for anyone with any kind of criminal background? The question for our community and our state is wheth- er we will allow people with criminal backgrounds to serve. If they cannot serve, then what is there left for them to do? What kind of society would seek to perpetually punish anyone who paid their debt and simply want to serve? There can be no real justice for any one if there is no justice for everyone. We the GMDMA demand the Senior Democratic Leadership renounce their request of Representative Javon Melton’s resignation at once. The Stench of Racism Terrence Hughes By Rev. Dr. Terrence Hughes POLITICS Though America is a nation of laws and rights, African Americans have never found favor with America’s laws and rights.