(ThyBlackMan.com) The rejection of the clemency appeal of death row inmate Troy Davis by the Georgia Parole Board has set a new low for our criminal justice system. The denial of Mr. Davis’ appeal is a clear case of vengeance by a Board lacking courage to set the record straight, and kowtowing to the blood thirsty howls of death penalty proponents. While the sentiments of the victim’s family is understandable, justice demands that the truth be the basis of a decision in which the state sends a citizen to his death and not some sense of obligation to execute. The level of support Mr. Davis received, across the political and ideological spectrum, is indicative of the very strong evidence that he is not guilty of the crime for which he has been charged. If this sentence is carried out as scheduled for Wednesday night, we will be executing the truth as well as Mr. Davis.
Our criminal justice system is suspect when prosecutors in New York can drop rape charges against a powerful, foreigner with a history of questionable behavior on the grounds that the alleged victim, a Black woman, may not have been truthful in her discussions with the district attorney. Yet, Dominique Strauss-Kahn can admit in a television interview to “moral” failings and proceed to live in comfort. The racial stench of prosecutorial decisions is overpowering in this country. We saw more of an outcry among Americans against Michael Vick over the mistreatment of animals than we initially saw concerning the plight of Troy Davis. It was only in the 11th hour that the case of Troy Davis started to draw media attention and the concern of the American public. Are we not to believe that race is not at the root of the unequal dispensation of justice? Would the Georgia Parole Board have approached their decision differently if Troy Davis were a middle class, suburban white male professional?
Black and Latino men remain easy “marks” for injustices; and their overpopulation in our nation’s jails and prisons speaks to the historical legacy of racism and white supremacy. We have too much evidence of wrongful convictions in our country for the fate of any death row inmate to rest solely upon the whims of a politically appointed board. Just last week Heidi Jones, a former New York City television meteorologist, admitted to fabricating a story that she had been raped by a Hispanic man while jogging in Central Park. This is just the latest lie that perpetuated the stereotype of the hyper-sexual Black or Latino male preying upon white women, and that imagery remains part of the American imagination because men of color are convenient bogeymen. The same can be said about the now widely held view that Black men are inherently violent, as there is a presumption of guilt or wrongdoing no matter the evidence pointing toward innocence. Every police stop, stroll through a department store, encounter in the workplace or walk through a neighborhood by a Black or Latino male carries with it the risk of guilt by racial identification; whether you are wearing Armani or a jogging suit. This is not “southern justice” in the case of Troy Davis, as some have suggested. This is American justice, and it is high time we acknowledged that our criminal justice system is morally bankrupt and justice deficient.
If Troy Davis is sent to his death, the nation is deserving of international condemnation. The hypocrisy of our judicial system will be deserving of ridicule; particularly from those nations we habitually accuse of human rights abuses. Some have complained of the length of death penalty appeals but justice should not be microwaved for political expediency. If we are so eager to exact death, we are going to pay a high price for our blood thirstiness. Sending innocent people to their death, for crimes they did not commit, is not justice. It’s a sickness. Tomorrow it is likely Troy Davis, but trust me, there are others who will suffer the same fate if we do not halt this madness. And that is simply unacceptable.
Written By Walter Fields
Official website; http://www.NorthStarNews.com
While I am compelled to vote for O’Bama given the horrific field of Republican candidates, I am by no means an O’Bama supporter. He is nothing more than another clever politician who has done nothing for his base, is amoral and acts purely on the basis of political expediency. But one of the most reprehensible things he has done is to permit the death of a young black man because of perceived political expediency.
Over a million petitions were signed and submitted to retry Troy Davis. Even the Pope and George Bush’s FBI director, Sessions, signed petitions. O’Bama did nothing, not even a phone call. I understand that the White House had no jurisdiction in this matter, but it did have the moral authority to make a phone call and ask for another trial. Instead it chose to let a young black man die.
I will vote for O’Bama, but I don’t trust him. I pray that if he is re-elected that the black black base keep an eye on him, and hold his feet to the fire to deliver something of value. Lets get out of this mindless hero worship.
Please do share and let me know your opinion….Voice is power!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/therootdc/post/tweeting-for-troy-davis/2011/09/23/gIQAzNCvqK_blog.html
Do a search for:
Troy_Davis_case
On Wikipedia
and quit whining for this guy who was obviously a bad person. If you have a problem with the facts then take it up with Wikipedia and all the various courts that agreed with the initial verdict, including the Supreme Court (2009), which voted 7 to 2 against Davis. Why trash like this gets all the attention while the victims of people like him get virtually no press or concern is beyond me.
I also want the readers to know that I am WHITE. It shouldn’t be really be an issue, but sites like this one seem to relish in the colors of American people, rather than their actions. Can’t we just be AMERICANS and judge each other on our character and actions?
God bless the victims. We can be SURE who the victims were that night.
Peace and blessings. In this country, periodically, the system kills a black man as an act of terriorism to the black community. This is done to let black men know that their oppressor has full and complete control over our power. This is about power and control over people. As this country is quick to always talk about others, they never admit to their own abuse. Until will as a group fight back collectively for truth and justice, this will continue to happen. WE are in the era of 21st century Jim Crow.
@BlackBeauty We should all pray for Troy A. Davis as well as anyone that has to face this nations Justice System. Prayer is not all we could do. What we could have done is give Troy Justice. For the justice system to pronounch a person guilty of murder, it must be done beyond the shadow of doubt. There was no physical evidence connecting Troy to the death of Officer McPhail. Troy was convicted by 10 eye witnesses, eight changed their testimony, one of the two who did not change his testimony was once (and still is) a suspect in the killing of Officer McPhail. Where was the commitment to Justice by this Nation and the State of Georgia for Troy A. Davis.
What is sad is the fact that many Black men in every western countries end up in prison. A lot of Natives also are in prison in other countries such as Canada. It is done on purpose. It is the tool used by White people to break our communities.
And how do you expect to “halt” the madness?
Don’t know if Mr. Davis is innocent or guilty, however the majority of those on death row all over the United States deserve to be there!
Some are quick to want to call out that a convicted man/woman is innocent, however filp the coin over to the VICTIMS.
Very different story in most cases.
I pray for Mr. Davis. That is all any of us can do.