If justice has been served, why is my stomach in knots? Why do I have this queasy feeling and a sense of dread weighing heavily on my shoulders? To be sure, there is no justice here. There is no justice in the execution of a man who may have been innocent. I think about my brown-skinned husband…about how many times he has been convicted by others for the color of his skin, for the accent in his voice and for his insecure mumble in the presence of white authorities. Would officers have taken his insecurity as a sign of guilt? Would they have convicted him despite the coerced testimonies? Would they have seen justice in his suffering, regardless of whether there was proof of his guilt? Would they have taken the “innocent” white family’s word over his…over ours?
I can’t trust a justice system that would put a man to death simply because the privilege of some demands it so. I can’t trust a government that locks up our brown boys and men and views them as degenerates and criminals. I refuse to trust a government and judicial system that puts white justice over brown justice and white voices over brown voices.
We heard and outcry from the black community that has gone ignored, an outcry from all those who believe in justice for everyone and not just for those of privilege.
Sitting here at my desk and reading the news of Troy Davis’ execution, I have to wonder…does this country care about black people at all? Did we care in Katrina? Did we care when we published a 9/11 tribute that included zero black faces? Do we care now, that a black man’s life has been taken without JUST CAUSE?
Fine, let’s argue that he may have been guilty, but without any evidence other than heresay, how can we know with a certainty that warrants the destruction of a human life?
I don’t trust Georgia. I don’t believe this country understands what justice is. It’s a system awarded to a privileged few and that is a shame far beyond any other. America, I wouldn’t trust you with my husband’s life…you only aim to take brown lives away…to hold them down…to punish them…to force your “justice” upon them and form convictions based on the story that works for you.
Well, I’m not buying what you’re selling…and there are millions of Americans across this country who aren’t buying it tonight either.
© 2011, Chantilly Patiño. All rights reserved.
Rest in peace Troy Davis. I’m sorry we failed you. Down with the racist and barbaric death penalty.
Thank you Glenn. I agree completely. ♥
Thank you Glenn. I agree completely. ♥
About 42% of the inmates currently on death row are white. About 42% of the inmates on death row are black. Equal numbers represented on death row, but the US Census Quick Facts shows that 72% of the total population is white and only 12% is black. If our justice system was “fair” the percentage of population would match the percentage of inmates from each racial category. You raise some important points about skin color and so-called “justice.” Our criminal justice system is flawed when race plays such a role in how “justice” is dispensed. It is a hypocritical failure when it is allowed to murder it’s own citizens it attempt to teach them that murder is wrong.
Apparently there aren’t many states you can trust. Florida has 398 inmates on death row right now.
http://naacpldf.org/files/publications/DRUSA_Winter_2011.pdfhttp://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/00000.htmlhttp://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/race-death-row-inmates-executed-1976#deathrowpop
Jen, thank you for those facts. There most definitely is a difference in the justice afforded to wealthy whites (the most privileged), poor whites and lastly, people of color. It’s absolutely disgusting to keep hearing these stories of injustice and as you point out…the injustice is disproportionately black. I’m beyond disgusted with the number of black men killed or locked up in this country…and the death penalty isn’t the only way that we execute…you’ll notice that there is also a disproportionate number of black “suspects” shot by officers every year.
Chantilly, I’d not heard of that 9/11 Time Magazine article. Absolutely no excuse for that. As for the death penalty, it should’ve been abolished a long time ago. We’re imperfect people, running an imperfect system of justice. We are bound to make mistakes.
I’m with you…I don’t believe in the death penalty at all. It’s a cruel practice, especially when you consider the number of innocents we have found on death row. Very disappointing. :(