Let him die (Part 2)

This is about Troy Davis, who is just a day away from being executed by the fine state of Georgia. As a white teacher who teaches in a community of color, situations like this do not make my job any easier.

I love all three of my kids & the worst thing that could happen would be to lose them to a violent crime. The emotional part of me would probably want to seek the death penalty (as is the case with the monster who killed Polly Klaas). I don't fault those who believe that the death penalty needs to be in force for those who commit the most heinous of crimes.

However, there seems to be a high level of doubt as to the guilt of Mr. Davis. Due to this doubt, at the very least, his sentence should be commuted to a life sentence.

In the United States, we continue to struggle with racism. When more black men are incarcerated than any other group, that should say something about our society. When we are more willing to spend more on prisons than we are on education, that also says something.

I'm all for holding people accountable for their behavior. People make mistakes that can have deadly consequences. However, when are we going to hold our society accountable for ensuring that we eradicate poverty, injustice, and the racism that are so inextricably linked with the other two?

If a guilty man in Texas can have his execution stayed because race was used as a factor in his trial, then it would seem to me that a potentially innocent man in Georgia should also have his execution stayed as well.

As a citizen of this nation, one that prides itself on justice for all, this is the least we can do.

From the Jose Vilson
If you haven’t already, please send a letter to Georgia’s Clemency Parole Board and the Georgia State Board using Amnesty International’s nifty website here. Also, I was told that the DA can’t withdraw the death warrant. Only Judge Penny Freesemann can. Call 912-652-7252 or e-mail pfreesemann@chathamcounty.org