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January 20, 2003
I went to the screening of Two Towns of Jasper today. As I was leaving, the guy walking out ahead of me turned around and asked what I thought of the film. This is a difficult question. I’m not good at talking to strangers or speaking extemporaneously. Not knowing quite what to say, I mumbled that I thought it was interesting, well done, difficult to watch, that is to say, nothing terribly insightful. I had the whole car ride home to think about it, and I have a more whole answer now.
It shocks me to my core that I can live in a time and place where murders like James Byrd’s can occur. I am a staunch opponent of the death penalty, believing that an eye for an eye never equals justice, violence can only beget violence, arguments that are all familiar. Watching this film really made me question that belief for a moment. It’s a very interesting case, a historic precedent wherein white men, klansmen, were given the death penalty for killing a black man.
I don’t believe in the death penalty, I don’t believe that it metes out justice. At the same time, sitting in that chapel watching that film alongside one of James Byrd’s sons, I was so angry and so disgusted that I could almost feel that it would be justified in this case, that if any people ever deserved to be put to death at the hands of the state, it was these three racists.
I am amazed at the calm most of the family maintained, not asking for vengeance or responding with anger, but simply sadness. Some of the members of his family spoke out after the trials against the death penalty, and that must take great strength of character. It’s impressive to me that so many people who have lost loved ones to violence speak out against the death penalty.
I know these should not be my thoughts on a day meant for reconciliation and reflection, on a day set aside to honor a man who spent his life working for peace and justice. Still, one can’t help but wonder how it is that a man like King could end up assassinated for spending his life preaching for non-violence. And I can’t help but wonder and be saddened that perhaps we haven’t come so very far since then at all.
Posted by pogo at January 20, 2003 5:20 PM
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Comments
You said “I know these should not be my thoughts on a day meant for reconciliation and reflection, on a day set aside to honor a man who spent his life working for peace and justice”. I relate to your feelings but I don’t think you should apologize for your honesty…sometimes it’s hard to confront raw feelings and reactions and even worse to recognize where they bring us (i.e. questioning the death penalty) but at least you’re taking the time to explore them. I think that, when it comes down to it, that’s the same thing the Byrd family had to do…face their feelings, let the anger and hurt sink in, and then decide to demonstrate amazing, almost dumbfounding commitment to their values and ask the state to spare the lives of the murderers. Now, if we can only get more folks to think so selflessly - myself included :)
Posted by: sarah on January 20, 2003 9:10 PM
I definately feel strongly in a “rotted limb” philosophy. That being when something is so bad , so beyond repair , rehabilitation and the like the only thing to do is amputate. If a grown human being of atleast moderate intelligence makes a decision to murder another and feels justified enough to act it out methodically and successfully that person should be dead. The fact these people exist should move even the passive and peaceful to reconsider there stance on death. This isnt eye for an eye this is self preservation.
Posted by: Baub on January 21, 2003 12:20 PM
Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them, Baub? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see all ends.
Posted by: Gandalf the Grey on January 22, 2003 1:19 AM
What IS in my power? well I only have an opinion so far , I choose not to kill those who I think deserve it and I surely do not have the power to give life to the dead. Priorities? (did I mispell that?)Well if we assume they are to live happily, which usually includes safety, then the decision to remove the rotted limbs that plague us should come swiftly and without much remorse . If it is to the benefit of living with less fear and the knowledge that those who harm will be removed then so mote it be I say. I do not claim to have the great knowledge to decide the fate of the living or the dead .I dont need that to know that if someone is willing to take life with out the luxury of it being for the greater good they should be dead.The greater good being that we all live with out the fear of being randomly murdered or sodomized etc….
Posted by: Baub on January 22, 2003 11:27 AM
huh?
Posted by: seth on January 22, 2003 11:45 AM
You might be living in fear of random sodomy (ask your anus).
Posted by: Baub's Band on January 22, 2003 12:57 PM
wtf?
Posted by: baub on January 23, 2003 12:16 PM
I wasn’t sure what all you (Baub) were trying to say. I just got lost. No big deal.
Posted by: seth on January 23, 2003 6:34 PM
I m not so sure looking back if I know either! I know what i meant. I guess I m not a literate as I thought.peez owt
Posted by: Baub on January 24, 2003 12:09 PM