Jury Duty has been my life for the last three days. I started Monday morning by praying to God for 3 things: that I would build relationships with others from my community while I was there, that I would learn something, and that I would have a positive experience. Overall I can safely say that God gave me all three.
I started my week as I met two African American women and a man as I walked to the court house. We sat together throughout the week. It was so interesting learning about their lives, families, beliefs, and history. We all come from such different circumstances, ages, experiences, and backgrounds. One woman was in her late 60s, single, has her nephew's family living with her, is involved in her church, and retired from the state. The other girl was 21, single mom to a 3 year old, dropped out of college after a year, and now working in a cafeteria getting free child care, head start, and aid from the state. The man was in his late 30s with a wife and kids, a leader in his church, was employed as a state employee in a job he loved up to 2 years ago when he was laid off. He has been struggling to find a 'real' job that he likes since them.... currently doing a job he hates at minimum wage. All of them from such different circumstances and yet here we were united in our three days of sitting in jury duty. It always helps to see the different arguments of politicians when you get a glimpse of different people's lives. The 20 something drove me crazy in some ways. Just expected that everyone was to give her everything without doing anything. The entitlement attitude at everyone else's expense is so frustarting. How should I pay more in taxes because of your bad decisions and laziness. On the other hand, the guy was awesome. My heart just went out to him. He is a hard worker, trying to provide for his family, and yet he has every door shut on him. He is doing a crappy job just to bring money to his family, while trying his hardest to be responsible and pay for his bills and find a better job. He needs opportunities to get a decent job and yet every door is shut. Both are residents of my city.
We had a former major, retired police officers, teachers, nurses, retirees, etc. all from my community spending time together. I also met all the people that were seated on the jury with me. One of the things that I appreciate the most about my city is the racial diversity. Out of 7 jurors, we had 2 white women, a Chinese man, a Latino woman, an African American man and woman. Yet, as we sat on the jury, discussed our life experiences, and deliberated about a man's future, we were united. As a whole through all the men and women I met, there were a couple things in common: points of struggle in their lives, a care for one another, and a love for our city that is struggling desperately. It gave me such hope for the city I call home.
I not only came to love the people in my community, but I also learned so much about the court. The proceedings are similar in some basic ways to what you see on TV, but yet so much more simple and straight-forward. It makes me feel so much more at peace about being a potential witness against the man who broke into our house. I hate not knowing what I am getting myself into, but now I know what to expect when the trial comes. Not only that but we were able to talk to the judge and lawyers after the trial was over and talk through the trial. They really wanted our feedback and it was helpful to discuss the good and bad parts.
The week was kind of crappy in some ways. The room we stayed in was hot, crowded, and uncomfortable. We were stuck in there for hours for 3 days straight. I had to figure out babysitting for 5 days and still squeeze in work during the week. Most of all I missed my kids. While I HATED spending so much time away from my children, having to make up all the work hours, and having a completely crazy week, it was a positive experience overall. I met great people, learned about the court system, and came to love my city a bit more.
