Activists Seek to 'Ban the Box'

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by Kirk Hawkins
Bio | Email | Follow: @kirkhawkins by Photographer Tim Mullican

Story Created: Feb 24, 2013 at 9:48 PM EDT

Story Updated: Feb 24, 2013 at 11:13 PM EDT

CHARLOTTE, N.C.--"This book has been through it's paces alright." Kantrell West looks back at when his life was much less complicated. A college graduate with a chemistry degree. But, his hopes of going to graduate school hit a dead end. "Once you make a mistake of a certain caliber, there is no going back," said the West Charlotte resident.

After admitting to assault with a deadly weapon, he spent two years in prison. Once he completed his sentence, he struggled to find work. "Even though my credentials fit the profile perfectly. They would not take a chance on me," said West.

Advocates plan to propose an ordinance to Charlotte City Council. It would remove the requirement that applicants for city jobs disclose their criminal histories in the early stages of the application process. A move they call "Ban the Box". "That box on the employment application really tells the person sitting on the interviewee side of the table that they are damaged goods," said Henderson Hill. Hill is the Executive director of Federal Defenders of Western North Carolina.

Monique Maddox has worked three jobs since she was released. Most recently as the Catering Manager for Second Helping. "Getting that box removed, a person can get in the door.
You can get that eye to eye. They can see you for who you are and not what that box has said you to be," she said.

Now, West looks forward to a new life without complications. Juggling, among other things, a job as a computer technician. "It does feel good. But, I know that I'm nowhere near where I want to be, should be," he said.

After the proposal is introduced Monday night, it could take some time before the City Council brings it up for a vote.

 

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