What goes on the internet, lives forever. Even if it’s not true.
For people who know me, they know that I am a huge advocate for freedom of press, freedom of speech. But I am against the lifelong punishment of words, especially when they are false or wrongfully accused. A prime example of this is mugshots, and the inaccuracy of what is charged and what is convicted, or sometimes not convicted. Wrongfully convicted or proven innocent are held to the same standard as those who have been rightfully convicted when it comes to the internet.
Recently, we had North Dakota's Commerce Commissioner Michelle Kommer put under a wrongful investigation led by State Auditor Josh Gallion. You can do a simple Google search and you will find “criminal investigation” “criminal review” retains attorney...criminal investigation” - all guilty looking titles.
This has put the spotlight on a huge problem that law agencies, media outlets and the internet having no remorse for their people, even when innocent. This platform is used to convict people before they even have a fair hearing, or any kind of investigation even happens. These agencies have no regard for due process, or innocence.
I first met Kommer at the former governor's home in Bismarck. We did not know each other prior and we got seated together for dinner with a few other people. It was the first time I had been in a place like this, so it was comforting to me when Kommer reaches over to shake my hand, and introduced herself. We were brought together by the Governor and the First Lady’s initiative called Recovery Reinvented.
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That night Kommer shared her heart with me about addiction, justice reform, workplace reform and how much she loves North Dakota. For me, it was weird to have a conversation with one of the state’s top executives, let alone what came to happen the next few years.
Kommer has given people who haven’t had a voice, not only a voice but seats at the table. She has invited me to share at multiple meetings with CEOs and human resource professionals. She has invited me to sit on a committee to discuss licensure reform. She has came to gatherings I have put together in the community to discuss how we can empower those who were afflicted by the justice system, addiction and how to break the cycle of recidivism. She has responded to every text, call I’ve ever had when I had questions about discrimination in housing and workplace.
The reason I’m writing this letter is because I know what it’s like to have the media, and agencies paint a wrong picture about me. I know what it’s like to have fear of what people are thinking. I know what it’s like to wonder what will happen if I ever have to get another job. I know what it’s like when the whispers happen when I walk into a room. I know...
It’s in my opinion in this letter that a woman who is innocent shouldn’t be treated like a man who was actually guilty.
Martin is founder of the F5 Project.
