Troy Davis: Being Black is a “Death Sentence”

Not just in Georgia, but throughout the United States. Some 149 years ago, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which stated “…all persons  held as slaves…shall be then, henceforward and forever free….”  But the freedom purchased in blood for slaves has yet to be fully realized, and even the best intentions of all citizens of the United States regarding the equality of slaves and their descendants has been without success. Black American males are still unable to secure equal protection under the law because of racial discrimination.

It is my opinion that were Troy Davis white, the evidence which led to his conviction as a black male for murdering Officer Mark Allen MacPhail also would have convicted him for that crime. The question as to whether the People would have pursued the Death Penalty is where ambiguity arises, and the possibility of “racial profiling” and latent discrimination becomes apparent. While a guilty verdict at trial may have been obtained, had an appeal laden with the litany of recanted testimony and the absence of compelling demonstrable evidence directly placing Troy Davis’ finger on the trigger been presented, a white Troy Davis certainly would not face imminent execution by lethal injection.

It is entirely possible that Troy Davis did murder Officer Mark Allen MacPhail, however, the possibility, a reasonable doubt, exists that he did not, and for this reason, and this reason alone, the State of Georgia will not execute a convicted felon, but will, once again, condone the murder a black male.

I am a white, conservative, southern male, 63 years old, and I am ashamed for the zeal with which the People, our Judicial Branch , the Prosecutors and Courts of Georgia, pursue the arrest, conviction and execution of black  males at a rate which far exceeds the arrest, conviction and execution of white males. The fact that white men still fear the loss of control over black males, indeed over blacks of any gender,  is the sole obvious explanation of this cowardly and venal behavior.

It is even more appalling that this same bigotry is seen in all the States which comprise the Union, and that little discussion of this virulent discrimination is ever heard in the public forum. Isn’t it time, finally, to accept the proposition that all humans are created equal, and that those who can not accept that fact need to seriously question their courage, motivation and intention.

As the following two articles I have earlier written attest, I proclaim the Sanctity of Life, and urge those who uphold Capital Punishment as legally or morally justified to consider the arguments against State Sponsored Murder I present.

(alternatives to) CRIME and (capital) PUNISHMENT

http://www.bullsullivan.com/2011/06/24/alternatives-to-crime-and-capital-punishment/

The Right “Right to Life”

http://www.bullsullivan.com/2011/06/22/the-right-right-to-life/