Attorney
I am listed on Thumbtack.com as #3 in the area of family law in Washington, D.C. In December of 2012 I will have practiced law for 10 years. Much of practice in family law has been low bono services provide to person who traditionally cannot afford legal services.
Monday, May 7, 2012
Monday, January 17, 2011
To Live the Dream!
When we are children we tend to idolize our parents and often dream of one day being just like them. As teenagers we start to learn that our parents are not the perfect beings we believed. It is during the adolescent years that we begin to look at our family, our backgrounds, and within ourselves to discover who we are and what want to accomplish in life. At this period of our lives we think about self.
But then there comes a time when we begin to think about others. We think about how we fit in the world. For those of us blessed to be parents it is inevitable that we at some point think about the choices we have made in life and if it was for the worst or best for our children.
As a parent because of financial downturns, situations created by my refusal to dismiss the injustice that not only I but others have faced, I have questioned if this was best for my children. My mother always questioned me, “Mel, why do you always have to be a fighter?” I told my mother that you don’t write your own destiny and that “A coward dies a thousand deaths a hero only one.” During times when I experienced the brutality of police officers, false arrests, stalking by police officers or attempts to be banned from neighborhoods I have resided in by government officials my mother, finally stopped questioning me with the whys. She finally said, “Mel, you always said one day you wanted to be one of the great M’s. I had a saying as a child that one day on T-Shirts it will say, Malcom, Martin, Marcus and Melodie.
What does Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life means to me is not necessarily the same to older African-Americans because I did not experience the degree of ignorance and bigotry as they have faced. Racism still exists but I do not have a connection to the lost this nation experience during his death. What I do connect with is King’s fight for justice and his dream for a better America. King’s life inspired me to reach me dreams.
Now the greatest dream I have is for my sons to live their dreams. While my youngest son is only two I am not sure where his destiny will lead him but my 4 year old is already a published author. My 4 year old created the “Fighters of Justice” book series. The Fighters of Justice are superhero characters that fight to protect the world. Unlike Langston’s thoughts of a dream deferred Martin Luther King Jr.’s heroic life and commitment to a cause has without doubt opened doors for my son, a 4 year old African-American boy, to become the youngest published author in the world to reach this goal and to live the Dream.
Melodie Shuler
Founder/President
UB1 Power, the Power of the Pen Publications
& The Law Office of Melodie V. Shuler, Esq.
But then there comes a time when we begin to think about others. We think about how we fit in the world. For those of us blessed to be parents it is inevitable that we at some point think about the choices we have made in life and if it was for the worst or best for our children.
As a parent because of financial downturns, situations created by my refusal to dismiss the injustice that not only I but others have faced, I have questioned if this was best for my children. My mother always questioned me, “Mel, why do you always have to be a fighter?” I told my mother that you don’t write your own destiny and that “A coward dies a thousand deaths a hero only one.” During times when I experienced the brutality of police officers, false arrests, stalking by police officers or attempts to be banned from neighborhoods I have resided in by government officials my mother, finally stopped questioning me with the whys. She finally said, “Mel, you always said one day you wanted to be one of the great M’s. I had a saying as a child that one day on T-Shirts it will say, Malcom, Martin, Marcus and Melodie.
What does Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life means to me is not necessarily the same to older African-Americans because I did not experience the degree of ignorance and bigotry as they have faced. Racism still exists but I do not have a connection to the lost this nation experience during his death. What I do connect with is King’s fight for justice and his dream for a better America. King’s life inspired me to reach me dreams.
Now the greatest dream I have is for my sons to live their dreams. While my youngest son is only two I am not sure where his destiny will lead him but my 4 year old is already a published author. My 4 year old created the “Fighters of Justice” book series. The Fighters of Justice are superhero characters that fight to protect the world. Unlike Langston’s thoughts of a dream deferred Martin Luther King Jr.’s heroic life and commitment to a cause has without doubt opened doors for my son, a 4 year old African-American boy, to become the youngest published author in the world to reach this goal and to live the Dream.
Melodie Shuler
Founder/President
UB1 Power, the Power of the Pen Publications
& The Law Office of Melodie V. Shuler, Esq.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
A Hanging in 2010 ... Yet when I complain about the system or racism people be like WHY?
I call being falsely prosecuted modern day lynching because they know what I am doing in the community to help African-Americans. Now people in denial every time I complain someone is like “Ah, think positive, move one.” But when their son is hanging from a tree or falsely arrested then they will be concerned. What are they waiting for? I clearly do not understand! People seem to not want to hear the truth. But if their son was hanging from a tree they would feel different.
When I went to law school Touro which is a Jewish school they had pictures of decaying bodies up. I had pictures of hangings ... in my room so every time I thought of how hard law school was I would look at those pictures and the words I had up "Stony the road We Trod" because I wanted to be a lawyer and help my people. You can't help nobody by denying that help is needed or what is going on.
Friday, January 7, 2011
A POEM: The Life of Gregg and Josh
Most people never been off the block
But think for them the world is going to be stopped
Barely read and write but smoke crack, sell drugs, and pull glocks
And the money they claiming is all talk
People today live lives that are lies
Trying to make themselves look better in other eyes
Deceit is the creep who baas like a sheep
Mess with the wrong one and ends up 6 deep
The freak is the man that runs up in many women
Creating a child who grows up not to know them
The father who is gone leaves a child heart to long
Then the child grows up messed up and can’t shut up
Because these kids never felt love
So confused in the thought and still don’t look above
The desperate woman who stays with a man who cheats
Learn he doesn’t love you, because what you love you don’t beat
You treasure those you keep close to your heart
You pray and pray but he’s not going to raise that child or stop
Love yourself that’s the answer sent from God
Don’t wait until you get HIV because that will hit you hard
AIDS with stop you from seeing your child grow more
Wake up he’s not worth dying for
Besides the lonely nights you wait for him to come through the door
Shouldn’t even be anymore
People only love those who love themselves
God’s talking wake up you are not deaf
These kids who grow up with a mom on PCP or crack
Daddy in jail with a man on his back
Hating themselves because never showed to differ
Wouldn’t get what I’ve said if I’d showed them a picture
Lost in a cold world, drugs, sex, disease and crime
Uneducated, poor, struggling, running out of time
It’s hard to find a light in a dark hole
Crying at night but faking during the day trying to be bold
Left with strangers or a grandmother to old and tired to scold
Spoiled you rotten then you can’t function in this world
Women head of the household, men acting like girls
God should let it rain again and destroy this for sure
By: Melodie Shuler
But think for them the world is going to be stopped
Barely read and write but smoke crack, sell drugs, and pull glocks
And the money they claiming is all talk
People today live lives that are lies
Trying to make themselves look better in other eyes
Deceit is the creep who baas like a sheep
Mess with the wrong one and ends up 6 deep
The freak is the man that runs up in many women
Creating a child who grows up not to know them
The father who is gone leaves a child heart to long
Then the child grows up messed up and can’t shut up
Because these kids never felt love
So confused in the thought and still don’t look above
The desperate woman who stays with a man who cheats
Learn he doesn’t love you, because what you love you don’t beat
You treasure those you keep close to your heart
You pray and pray but he’s not going to raise that child or stop
Love yourself that’s the answer sent from God
Don’t wait until you get HIV because that will hit you hard
AIDS with stop you from seeing your child grow more
Wake up he’s not worth dying for
Besides the lonely nights you wait for him to come through the door
Shouldn’t even be anymore
People only love those who love themselves
God’s talking wake up you are not deaf
These kids who grow up with a mom on PCP or crack
Daddy in jail with a man on his back
Hating themselves because never showed to differ
Wouldn’t get what I’ve said if I’d showed them a picture
Lost in a cold world, drugs, sex, disease and crime
Uneducated, poor, struggling, running out of time
It’s hard to find a light in a dark hole
Crying at night but faking during the day trying to be bold
Left with strangers or a grandmother to old and tired to scold
Spoiled you rotten then you can’t function in this world
Women head of the household, men acting like girls
God should let it rain again and destroy this for sure
By: Melodie Shuler
A POEM: KIDS TODAY (written when I was 11 years old)
What is wrong with the kids today?
Why are they growing up this way?
Because some of us are still sleeping
We should all wake up and smell the coffee
I am tired of hearing mothers weeping
Over their son or over their daughter
Because he just got put in the ground or the police caught her
Risking their lives to make a quick dollar
But when something goes down there’s no one to hear you holler
They do dumb things and say they aren’t going to die
Killing each other and don’t know why
Planning their funerals at an early age
Acting life animals who need to be put in a cage
This is the fuss
Why are you killing us?
We got to stick together and unite, we’re falling apart
People of today just don’t have a heart
One by one you’re destroying our race
Killing each other and it’s a disgrace
Fight a war
Don’t know what for
They’re throwing their lives away
Getting killed each day
Destroying our African-American communities that were once strong
To have thing you want but, you won’t have time to enjoy them because
You won’t live very long
We need more communication and education
Because soon there won’t be many young, black men in this nation
They’re fighting
Instead of uniting
They’re only street smart and it’s a shame
Taking the life God gave them as though it’s a game
They forgot what Martin, Marcus, and Malcolm fought for
We need to live in peace in harmony if we’re rich or poor
Not each other that’s not who we’re supposed to be fighting against
If you knew your history you would have more sense
Stay in school
Put you’re energy into something more positive, instead of acting like a fool
Trying so hard to be cool
And always talking about what the white man do
But, don’t worry about him, worry about your race and you
Why are they growing up this way?
Because some of us are still sleeping
We should all wake up and smell the coffee
I am tired of hearing mothers weeping
Over their son or over their daughter
Because he just got put in the ground or the police caught her
Risking their lives to make a quick dollar
But when something goes down there’s no one to hear you holler
They do dumb things and say they aren’t going to die
Killing each other and don’t know why
Planning their funerals at an early age
Acting life animals who need to be put in a cage
This is the fuss
Why are you killing us?
We got to stick together and unite, we’re falling apart
People of today just don’t have a heart
One by one you’re destroying our race
Killing each other and it’s a disgrace
Fight a war
Don’t know what for
They’re throwing their lives away
Getting killed each day
Destroying our African-American communities that were once strong
To have thing you want but, you won’t have time to enjoy them because
You won’t live very long
We need more communication and education
Because soon there won’t be many young, black men in this nation
They’re fighting
Instead of uniting
They’re only street smart and it’s a shame
Taking the life God gave them as though it’s a game
They forgot what Martin, Marcus, and Malcolm fought for
We need to live in peace in harmony if we’re rich or poor
Not each other that’s not who we’re supposed to be fighting against
If you knew your history you would have more sense
Stay in school
Put you’re energy into something more positive, instead of acting like a fool
Trying so hard to be cool
And always talking about what the white man do
But, don’t worry about him, worry about your race and you
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Don’t gamble with your children!
After I sent Mr. King the email message when I started to look at other articles he wrote. I discovered that the youth was killed a few months after the article was written, in August of 2010. Mr. King wrote about the youth, he was “found dead early Sunday morning in Maryland, just across the District line … he had been murdered.”
(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/27/AR2010082704481.html
Even in city custody, no refuge from the streets By Colbert I. King. Saturday, August 28, 2010.)
Mr. King continues to blame the city for this child's death but rearing a child starts and finishes at home. You cannot rely on the government to raise a child. The chances to overcome is so rare that even the most addicted gambling addict would not even think twice to bet on it. If you gamble with children, they will lose.
As an attorney I will never advise a parent to hand over their child to the system and have walked away from cases and lost money when they refused to follow my advise. I want money but I am also human and have morals.
(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/27/AR2010082704481.html
Even in city custody, no refuge from the streets By Colbert I. King. Saturday, August 28, 2010.)
Mr. King continues to blame the city for this child's death but rearing a child starts and finishes at home. You cannot rely on the government to raise a child. The chances to overcome is so rare that even the most addicted gambling addict would not even think twice to bet on it. If you gamble with children, they will lose.
As an attorney I will never advise a parent to hand over their child to the system and have walked away from cases and lost money when they refused to follow my advise. I want money but I am also human and have morals.
The Government is Not a Savior of Youth!
Email I Sent to a Journalist about a Mother's Complaint that the Government Doesn't Supervise Her Delinquent son properly:
I read your article about the mother who complained about her son not being properly supervised. If the mother counts on the system she will lose her son. As an attorney I am disturbed by the number of parents who rely on the system to correct the problems with their children they created. She can't do it herself because she refuses; not because she can't. Every child from the inner city is waiting to be saved. As the mother she needs to do the saving. The government does not care about her child and the article proves this.
From Melodie V Shuler, former inner city child of a single mother who was saved
Saturday, August 28, 2010. In city custody, teens still out causing harm By Colbert I. King. Saturday, May 8, 2010)
I read your article about the mother who complained about her son not being properly supervised. If the mother counts on the system she will lose her son. As an attorney I am disturbed by the number of parents who rely on the system to correct the problems with their children they created. She can't do it herself because she refuses; not because she can't. Every child from the inner city is waiting to be saved. As the mother she needs to do the saving. The government does not care about her child and the article proves this.
From Melodie V Shuler, former inner city child of a single mother who was saved
This is the article:
(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/07/AR2010050704354.htmlSaturday, August 28, 2010. In city custody, teens still out causing harm By Colbert I. King. Saturday, May 8, 2010)
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