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Greg Mathis is at home speaking before a Black History Month celebration at a small church and is just as comfrontable standing before a group of Michigan State University Black Alumni and friends on a Saturday evening in October because he is a person who is making a difference.

You’ve seen him on TV and maybe heard about him, but did you know that it took more than just successfully passing the bar exam for Mathis to be allowed to practice law in Michigan?

Mathis dropped out of school, spent time in jail and still had time to reform, get serious about education and then become the youngest judge in Michigan history. Mathis grew up in the Herman Garden Projects of Detroit and as a member of the Errol Flynn gang; he was considered a “bad” kid. He hung out with the wrong crowd and did some things that he admits he is not proud of. Mathis explains: "At one time a judge gave me two choices: Go to jail or complete my GED. I took the alternative." He credits his mother with saving his life before she died.

The Honorable Judge Mathis shares his views:

Civil Rights - In 2004, Black America celebrated the anniversaries of two of the most important decisions in our lifetime – the 50th anniversary of Brown vs. the Board of Education and the 40th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act. These decisions have allowed people of color to come this far. Prior to that, two of three lived in poverty and there were less than 1000 black lawyers. Today, two-third now live above poverty and over ten-thousand black officials now represent our people. “No group of people has come this far in 40 short years”. Modern day history began with our fight for equal education opportunity and this provided the legal basis to launch a successful campaign for civil rights. The civil rights issue of today is to get those to finish high school. Education has produced mixed results at best. More black youth are in prison than in college. There are twice as many whites getting an education than blacks. “The challenge today is not so much marching to get an education, but marching to show up on the day of the count so the schools get the money to fund education. And when they show up we now need to make sure that they don’t hurt each other. Our challenge is to prepare them with education for them to take advantage of the economic opportunities”.

Schools – The struggle is going around the country on vouchers and charter schools. In 2003, CNN showed the Detroit School Board meeting. Stretchers, paddy wagons...I was ashamed and then I thought about it. This is civil disobedience that harkens to the days of civil rights. Maybe I shouldn’t be so ashamed. Is it possible that Detroit is fighting for equal education? Since the Brown vs. the Board of Education order, ninety desegregation orders have been dismissed. A pattern of unqualified teachers and under funding weaker school districts has formed.

Alumni Associations - Alumni associations should be about the education of our young people. If you are waiting on our government, let me tell you that you need to roll up your sleeves. Washington D.C. gets $11,000 per student, but sometimes it isn’t about the money. They still have one of the highest dropout rates. Our government has chosen to invest more in locking up our youth than lifting up our youth. The federal budget increased 300% but the education budget fails to keep up. There has been a 200% increase in the prison budget. Why won’t you put your money where your mouth is? Let’s see, a 220% increase in Michigan for prisons and a 23% increase in education?!?

Privatizing Prisons - We see workers being laid off and profit off prisoners. At $0.80 per day prisoners make furniture. Is this exploitation of black men? Dick Gregory says it is a conspiracy. Jobs are moving from the community. Jobs are being replaced with guns and drugs. You put them in prision and now you make money off of them. Women are not the same. They aren’t running to sign up for the prison industrial complex. Are men punking out or is it a conspiracy? The solution is the same. We must resist and fight back. If it is racism you think then join the NAACP and fight back.

On Your Condition - All Christians should tell someone about Jesus, the one that could have had the same story as ones shown on the cover today. I know Jesus had some of the same circumstances. He was raised homeless. Folks talked about him. Others weren’t sure who his father was. He didn’t have the right to vote under King Herod. He could have had some woes but he knew who he was...I am the Son of God he said... I have come to change the condition of this world. You can change your condition. In addition, is there anyone today whom you know that faces more obstacles than Harriet Tubman or Sigourney Truth?

Affirmative Action and His Turnaround – An alumnus of Eastern Michigan University helped me. When I was released from jail, they grabbed me by the hand, took me to EMU to make me a more productive citizen. Talk about trying to save affirmative action, don’t tell me affirmative action doesn’t work or that it is for someone less qualified because I believe I proved my point (pointing at himself). Fight Back!

Have You Ever Watched His TV Program and Wonder: Where Did They Get Those Folks? We get them from our neighborhoods. There is nothing funny about the injustices going on in our society. They held up my law license for 3 years after I passed the bar exam because of my juvenile record. I redeemed myself, but they wanted to know what I had done when I was 14 or 15. My juvenile record was given to the media. “We’re not sure if you are rehabilitated yet”. They don’t want to let us in the door. We have to fight back. I won my right to practice law 3 years later at the Michigan Supreme Court.

Obstacles, Education and Success – Education is power. Man up. Get strong. Fight back. Put on the armor of God. Kick the door down. Don’t let them stop you. If they close the door, kick it down.

Judge Mathis believes in education and taking advantage of the opportunities available. "You're going to face obstacles,” he says and you may have to kick down a few doors but “overcoming obstacles make you stronger". If anyone needs proof that it is possible to overcome obstacles and turn your life around, just look at the case of Judge Mathis.