7:00p.m. - Scheduled time for Troy Davis' execution by lethal injection
America has long had a love-affair with violence and killing.
America has long had a love-affair with violence and killing towards men of color.
America has long had a love-affair with violence and killing towards men of color throughout history, and in 2011 the historical legacy continues.
Troy Davis is awaiting his execution for the murder of a Georgia police officer 20 years ago. But like so many other men of color, it appears that Mr. Davis is innocent of the crime, but may still have to pay the ultimate price. Death.
There was a period in American history where lynchings of black men were considered a time for a family retreat, complete with picnic baskets filled with fried chicken and cold ham sandwiches. Young white children were hoisted upon their father's shoulders to witness the brutality with a better view. People danced and shouted vulgarities as if they were at a football game. These lynchings could occur just because a black man did not step off the sidewalk as a white person approached them. It would definitely occur if some supposed infraction involved a delicate white Southern belle.
7:53p.m. - Mr. Davis' case has been sent to the United States Supreme Court for a Stay of Execution
Last week during the Republican presidential candidates debate, a overall majority white audience enthusiatiscally applauded when Rick Perry was questioned about the state of Texas' death penalty record, and if he had any problems with possibly putting an innocent man to death.
I had no idea that lynchings were such fodder for public joy until a friend took me to an artists' home, whose work she felt that I would enjoy. While perusing his beautiful canvases, I happened to view some photos of lynchings. I inquired about them, and he told me that they were postcards that were quite popular at one time in America, and that he collected them. I found it very interesting that anyone would want to send a picture of someone mutilated and dead to someone else. Well, the postcards are no longer in vogue, but the killing of black men is still quite the sport.
8:58p.m. - Mr. Davis still awaits his fate
Since 1976, Texas has executed 474 people, followed by Virginia at 109. Across the country, 439 blacks have been executed, while 711 whites have been executed. Sixteen white defendants have been executed when the victims have been black. 253 blacks have been executed when the victims have been white. The disparity of the latter statistic could cause one to ask themselves "is taking a black life less worthy of punishment than taking a white life?" 85 people have been released from death-row after being found not guilty.
Two executions were scheduled for today, and 1is scheduled for tomorrow, September 22nd.
Ten executions were scheduled for the month of September, and 4 of the men were African-American. Four white men had their executions stayed, while only 2 men of color had their executions stayed.
In many ways a black life has always been worth less than a white life. History speaks for itself. We have been chained, whipped, shackled, beaten, raped, molested, attacked by dogs, spit upon, kicked, treated as second-class citizens. Alot of this happened before the Civil Rights movement which ended the brutalization of black people for the most part, but now they rely on the legal system to dole out death sentences, heavy-handed punishments, and unfair sentences.
In the Troy Davis case, witnesses have recanted statements, there is no DNA evidence linking him to the crime, the district attorney took all of the witnesses to the crime scene and let them figure out amongst themselves where each person was standing and what happened, and the shenanigans continue.
The Colored Man is somewhat ambivalent about the death penalty. I feel that at times it is justified, but ONLY when it has been reached based on fully accountable evidence, and ONLY after all means to exonerate a person have been pursued. The making up of stuff, intimidating witnesses, and twisting and withholding evidence just does not fly with me, which is why I am a strong supporter of groups like The Innocence Project, founded by Barry Scheck, famous for his DNA expertise during the OJ Simpson trial.
9:35p.m. - The waiting continues
I can only imagine what must be going through Mr. Davis' mind right about now. It's nightmarish - the waiting, the anticipation....is he counting every breath, is his heart racing at breath-taking speed? Is he calm? Are childhood memories streaming through his mind, or is he too distraught to really think about anything coherent? How many times has he wished he could turn back the hands of time, and start all over again? Does he wish that his mother could hold his face in her calloused hands one more second? Would the kiss of a soft pair of lips calm him, and take him to another place and time, to that Eden of momentary peace and serenity? If he is executed, has he thought about his last words?
Mr. Davis is facing the fate that too many black men in America have faced, either through the justice system or vigilantes. The time has come to end this barbarism in the land of freedom, justice and equality. It's time to stop railroading innocent men to the death chamber. It is un-American and the Colored Man must speak out loud and proud. In fact, all of us should have had enough of the killing.
Oh, and by the way, all of those people who were outside the courtroom protesting the Casey Anthony verdict, where are they now? Justice is justice, or does it depend on person who needs to be defended?
10:21p.m. - The Supreme Court rejects the Stay of Execution
10:53p.m. - The execution process begins
10:58p.m. - Conciousness check
11:12p.m. - Announced that Troy Davis was pronounced dead at 11:08p.m.
Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock,Tick-Tock
May God have mercy on your souls, May God bless your souls - Troy Davis' last words
