Too Little Too Late

So it has been a while since my last posting. I have been incredibly busy getting ready for finals, both at my high school and for the work I am doing at Fresno Pacific. While I am getting caught up, it occurred to me that I hadn't had a chance to deal with any feelings or questions that I had about the execution of Stanley "Tookie" Williams. This is from where the title to my posting comes. I knew too little too late.

In years passed, I have often found myself in favor of the death penalty, even though it goes against tradition liberal beliefs. After attempting to do "research" (a lot of reading of different perspectives), I am saddened to to say that I believe we got this one wrong.

My heart aches for a nation hell bent on instilling morality into its citizens through a conservative, Christian perspective. Although not Christian myself, I recognize when it is necessary to turn the other cheek and when it is necessary to take the eye.

I am sorry that the governor of California was unable to detect the difference. I am sorry this society cannot see passed itself and what it has created. I am sorry I was made aware of too little too late.

From denigrating aspects of his trial, to inconclusive physical evidence, to no African-Americans being permitted on his jury, to four Nobel peace prize nominations, to 150,000 REPORTED lives saved through his influence...We have made a grave error.

I now question...If I believe we have gotten this one wrong...How many others have there been and are there. How many men or women are sitting on death row because they were convicted in an era that tolerated racial slurs and denigrating references as a legal part of a trial. How many men and women have seen their civil rights stripped before their eyes while a racist, hand-selected jury nodded in agreement.

Our society is racist. Our society is classist. Our society will be what condemns itself. Our society wants to call itself Christian, while giving true Christians a bad name. Ohhh....The irony.