Don’t Talk About Whitney, Focus on Yourself
While folks like Cicely Tyson, Phylicia Rashad, Maya Angelou, Voncile Mallory (my mother) and others are gracefully aging, we younger folks aren’t doing as well. Following the untimely passing of legendary singer and actress Whitney Houston, many seem fixated on her cause of death, alleged troubles and pretty much anything negative they can latch on to. RELATED: When Beloved Icons Become Black History SEE OUR FULL WHITNEY HOUSTON COVERAGE HERE CHECK OUT OUR BLACK HISTORY MONTH GAME CHANGER: Merck CEO Breaks Ground In Business World But instead of focusing on how she died, we need to pay attention to how we live. When did you last jot down a list of your own demons? What does it mean to be a real, genuine friend to someone? Though we don’t know definitively what cut this multitalented woman’s life so short, we do know that life brings trials and tribulations for all of us and it’s time for a serious global intervention. When was the last time you saw a friend doing something crazy and didn’t say a word? Why is it that we are taught to “mind our own business†and keep quiet even though we know somebody is engaged in destructive behavior? Not paying child support, cheating on a spouse, not taking care of kids, always borrowing money, constantly looking for the next hustle instead of getting a job… these are some of the things that if they don’t kill you, they’ll kill those around you. Let’s not pretend that they don’t exist. Instead of just explaining away our issues, why not tackle them head on by first and foremost admitting that they occur. We simply cannot go around turning our backs to things like substance abuse, domestic violence, alcoholism, gambling or any other form of troubling behavior. If you know someone suffering from depression, step in. If you think a friend is drinking too much or taking drugs, you have got to speak up. If a young person is talking about guns and violence, please, please, please do something. Society often teaches us to be selfish, to go for our own. And though there’s nothing wrong with setting the bar high and achieving your goals, we cannot leave each other behind in the process. You’d be surprised how many of our co-workers, neighbors, friends or loved ones are suffering through a major battle, and they’re just one intervention away from a breakthrough. What are we doing to prevent him/her from heading down the wrong path? Instead of expressing regret after someone is gone, let’s take a hard look at how we’re living and how we’re treating the people in our lives. We may never know the extent of Whitney’s battles. But we know she’s gone at 48 and that ain’t right. The lesson is that we must deal with our own lives and figure out what it means to be an honest friend to someone else. It doesn’t mean being there when things are great, or hanging out when it’s time to have fun. A true friend says something and takes action when they see things are wrong. A true friend is there when times are tough. A true friend intervenes before it’s too late. A true friend cares less about the friendship and more about the friend. SEE OUR FULL WHITNEY HOUSTON COVERAGE HERE CHECK OUT MORE BLACK HISTORY MONTH GAME CHANGERS: Olympic Medalist Tries To Prevent Black Kids From Drowning Former NFL Player Fights Lung Cancer To Honor Late Wife
How We Can REALLY Honor the Legacy of Don Cornelius
When the world heard of the tragic passing of Don Cornelius, we had different reactions. Some were in disbelief, others paid homage to the legend with a “Soul Train line†in Times Square, while many reflected on his immense impact on society. SEE ALSO: Is Black History Month Hard On Black Folks? BLACK HISTORY MONTH GAME CHANGER: Meet The First Black Female U.S. Coast Guard Helicopter Pilot But one thing most people either chose not to accept or simply did not want to accept was the fact that Don Cornelius was dealing with serious internal issues; so much so that he took his own life. No matter what the root cause, poor mental health is a dangerous issue that people unfortunately do not address – especially in our community. And yet it continues to destroy the lives of those suffering from it (and of their loved ones). Because mental health and depression are such significant and critical issues, it’s only right to enlist the expertise of someone qualified to speak on the subject. That’s why, this week, I’m honored to have Terrie Williams, clinical therapist and veteran public relations counselor give us her words of wisdom: We are all mourning the loss this week of Soul Train creator and cultural icon, Don Cornelius. An American success story, Don left us with a 35-year history lesson in business acumen, cultural exportation, and community uplift. That’s all good. We should take some time to measure and celebrate Don’s legacy. That’s easy. What’s not easy is to discuss how and why he died. Yes, he hid his demons well. But clearly they were there because this 75-year old icon with a body of work most of us will never achieve chose to end his own life with a gunshot to the head. By all accounts, Don was a very private man. True to form, he didn’t leave a note so we don’t know what moved him to end his life. What we do know is that we did not have to lose Don this way. This silence about depression is now killing us. It is real. It is deadly. And, it does not discriminate. According to the World Health Organizations, by the year 2020, depression will be the second leading cause of death behind heart disease for everyone. As a veteran public relations counselor and clinical therapist who manages her own depression, I know for sure we all need to learn to identify its symptoms – what it looks like, sounds like and feels like — and get help for those that need it. We must take care of our mental health… and get a “check-up from the neck up.†My heartfelt love and prayers go out to Don’s family, friends. Terrie M. Williams is the author of Black Pain: It Just Looks Like We’re Not Hurting and the co-founder of The Stay Strong Foundation. You can follow her at twitter.com/terriewilliams or visit http://www.storiesthatheal.samhsa.gov or www.thestaystrongfoundation.org. BLACK HISTORY MONTH GAME CHANGER: Committed Resident Rebuilds New Orleans SEE ALSO: First Lady Hits Road For “Let’s Move†Anniversary
Why They Keep Attacking Michelle Obama
When we think of a First Lady, any First Lady, we often reflect on how distinct, prestigious or significant her role is. As the virtual Ambassador for the President, the First Lady usually provides a more human side for the highest office in the land. She is an extension of the Commander-in-Chief, while still carving out her own vital role whether it be in politics, education, nutrition, health care or any other realm. MORE STRONG, BLACK WOMEN: Black Woman Leads Crusade For LGBT Rights Harlem Mom Loses Sons To Guns, Becomes Anti-Violence Crusader But never has a First Lady been so disrespected, ridiculed, demeaned or vilified in the manner that Michelle Obama has. With such high approval ratings (at times even higher than her husband), there’s a clear explanation for the continual attacks against Mrs. Obama – her race – and come to think of it, his race. During the Presidential campaign of ’08, many Black women like myself were beyond excited to see a strong Black woman as the next potential First Lady. An educated, extremely intelligent female who dedicated much of her efforts towards working in the community and uplifting others, Michelle Obama represented what many of us either strive to be, or already regard ourselves as. And the fact that President Obama, a biracial man, married an independently minded and strong-willed woman like Michelle, only solidified our appreciation and support for this couple. It’s exactly that admiration and love for Michelle Obama that conservatives and those with an ax to grind hate so much. And they’ve proved over and over again that they will try to do anything to tarnish her image. When Barack Obama was on the campaign trail, the verbal assaults against Michelle already began. First, they attempted to turn her comments about being proud of her country into a negative, as if she was somehow unpatriotic her entire life. During the rest of the that period and throughout Barack Obama’s Presidency, the right continued throwing insults against Michelle for everything from the clothes she wears to her fight against obesity, to supposed lavish vacations. Following in conservative footsteps, now everyone appears to think it’s appropriate to make outrageous claims against the First Lady. The latest example: British publications printing stories of Michelle spending $50,000 on undergarments. The fact that White House press secretary Jay Carney had to take time on Monday to denounce the underwear rumor is proof that the allegations against the First Lady are out of control. And now that we’re in an election year, things are likely to get worse. Because Michelle Obama represents so much of what we love, they will do everything they can to smear her image and that of the President. It’s our duty to make sure that they don’t succeed. Make no mistake: smearing them is an attempt to diminish our own self-esteem. I asked my mother the other day if she’s ever seen any First Lady repeatedly insulted like Michelle Obama has been. The answer, not surprisingly, was a definite “NO.†Throughout it all, Mrs. Obama has taken the barrage of attacks with grace and dignity, while disproving everything with her actions – just like a strong Black woman would. And I should know, a strong Black woman is me; she is you and we cannot allow her to be slandered. MORE STRONG, BLACK WOMEN: Unbelievable! Meet The 88-Year-Old Marathoner Diagnosed With HIV, Concert Promoter Becomes AIDS Activist
There Are Signs Of Hope In Haiti
This week I had a rare moment of downtime. While flipping through TV channels I caught a preview of a show that will air this weekend: Oprah Winfrey interviewing Sean Penn in Haiti for “Oprah’s Next Chapter†on OWN. I couldn’t help but wonder what their interview will depict, and whether it will show what I saw earlier this month in Haiti as part of a delegation organized by Dr. Ron Daniels of the Institute of the Black World and the Haiti Support Group. I am still deconstructing all of the emotions I have from the sojourn we took, and already planning a trip with Young Black activists and professionals. READ ALL OF TAMIKA MALLORY’S BLOGS HERE When most people think about Haiti, the first thing that comes to mind is the devastating earthquake that ravaged the country. That’s exactly what I used to do — that is, until I had the remarkable opportunity to visit the first free Black nation in the Western hemisphere. I joined about 30 others as we spent five days absorbing the rich history, culture and determination that defines Haiti. Yes, there is still great suffering from the horrific quake of 2010, but if there’s anything I learned on this eye-opening trip, it’s that resilience and a passion for life still dominate the people. As an American who sometimes takes for granted the amenities we have available, my first reaction when we landed in Port-au-Prince was that of shock. The devastation from an earthquake that killed at least 300,000 and injured countless others was still prevalent especially in this city that was the epicenter of the disaster. Parents lost children, children lost parents, families were torn apart and some just disappeared in an instant. Even two years later, the effects of this dreadful quake are visible everywhere, and the sheer scope of the damage was a big hit to my chest. Going past tent cities where people are still living without proper homes or clean running water, and watching young children with missing limbs go to school touched all of us in a way that words cannot even describe. But just like the structures that re-emerged from the rubble, the spirit of the people uplifted all of us. Cooking meals on the street, mothers made sure their daughters still had barrettes in their hair as they ran off to play and clean uniforms as they went off to school. It was those little things – the signs of hope – that reinvigorated our own passion to continue helping the people of Haiti. Visiting the Oasis Institute, an orphanage and learning center for young girls, we were honored to watch these kids as they smiled and sang their hearts out for us despite their own circumstances. We were all humbled. As part of our trip, we also spent some time in the city of Milot taking in the unique background of a country where slaves were freed even before abolition occurred in the United States. In that realm, we were escorted up the large mountainside of the infamous Citadelle Laferriere, constructed as a one-of-a-kind symbol of liberty for a one-of-a-kind revolution. Today, it still serves an icon for the bravery and courage of Haitians in their quest for justice. But unfortunately, the end of slavery didn’t deliver a guarantee of prosperity. Following French colonial rule, international boycotts of freed Haiti, coupled with U.S. occupation of the nation in later years and a tremendously high volume of resources exported, Haiti continued suffering for years. The 2010 quake only exacerbated the challenges. And though there has been extensive progress since the disaster first struck, much work remains. National Action Network and I will maintain close contact on the ground and continue to assist the resolute people of this Caribbean nation. I encourage everyone to support organizations that they trust and donate their time or money to keep hope alive for those that have been doing so even with all of the odds stacked against them. It is not enough to say you don’t know who to trust…find someone! Whether it’s Dr. Daniels’ Institute of the Black World, Wyclef’s Yele Haiti Foundation or any other charitable group, be sure to get involved, learn the exceptional connection and debt we as Black people have to Haiti and remember to assist anywhere disaster or injustice strikes. We do live in a place called the world; let’s start embracing it.
In Politics, A Closed Mouth Won’t Get Fed
While watching the Iowa caucus this past Tuesday and all the analysis that ensued, I had a random thought: I wonder how many Black women live in that state? SEE ALSO: Did Romney Have 20 Incorrect Votes? College Kids Boo Santorum In a vastly conservative part of the country, how many Black women are Republicans and how many participated in the famed caucus? As the focus now shifts to the New Hampshire primary, I realize more and more that my thoughts aren’t random at all; they are actually very relevant. As the GOP attempt to “diversify†and branch out (so they say), whose issues are they really addressing? Do we ever hear poor people’s concerns, women’s issues or young folks’ apprehensions ever answered? The answer is a definite, “Hell, no!â€Â But, the real question is, who is to blame? Growing up as a Black woman in a multicultural city, I was exposed to differing viewpoints and ideas at an early age. What I quickly grasped as a young kid is the notion of “a closed mouth won’t get fed.â€Â If you don’t speak up, raise your concerns, let your voice be heard, nobody will pay attention and nothing will change. Silently going along with the status quo and accepting unfair practices will get you nothing but more injustice and frustration. You must make your issues a priority if you intend on seeing a different result going forward. That’s a vital lesson that I’ve carried with me throughout my work at National Action Network and in my everyday life. If you do not make others recognize and respect your grievances, things will remain the same forever.  And that’s precisely the concept we must remember when it comes to politics, the 2012 election, and our future. Over the last several months, I carefully observed the Republican debates to see what these candidates were discussing and more importantly, whom they were addressing. Never did I hear concern for the poor, or policies that would improve the lives of the impoverished. Instead, what I consistently heard was talk of more tax breaks for the wealthy and improvements for big business.  Never was there a mention of African Americans (forget about Black women specifically) and the unjust hurdles facing us. And never did I hear any concise solutions for this nation’s youth and how we could improve their possibility for a stable tomorrow. After these past few months of campaigning, the GOP has made it abundantly clear that they are not concerned with my issues, nor that of the next generation. Now as these candidates head to the next primary, we must ask ourselves, how can we make our issues a priority? How can we get them to acknowledge us and address our concerns in a respectful manner? To all the Black Republicans out there, I say raise your voice and try to shed light on some of the Black communities’ issues. That’s the only way we will truly see if all the talk of “inclusion†is a reality. Let’s hold all of the contenders accountable and let’s watch if they really have the backbone to match their rhetoric. SEE ALSO: Why GOP Candidates Keep Talking Race Black Couple Donates Priceless Art Collection
Sharpton: “It’s Time We Take Our Country Backâ€
It’s high time we, the majority, take our country back: When certain individuals began chanting their mantra of ‘take our country back’, the rest of us hoped that it wasn’t a subliminal message to strip away this nation’s advancements and take us back to some sort of Jim Crow era. But in such a short span of time in office, many conservative elected officials have proved that their goal is precisely to implement regressive measures that begin to chip away at the core of the fundamental constructs of the civil rights movement. The latest enactment of voter ID laws across the country are a prime example of how the right is attempting to wrong us all. See Also: Want To Read More Sharpton Pieces? Click Here See Also: Black Travel: Visit The Black Mecca Of America, Harlem For those who like to pretend that racism never existed in our past, here’s another quick reminder: years after slavery was abolished, there were systematic ways to still deny African Americans civil liberties – not the least of which was a poll tax. After the 14th Amendment guaranteed equal protection for all, a poll tax was enacted as a prerequisite to voting. Because African Americans (and poor Whites for that matter) found it difficult to come up with the money required to vote, many were covertly disenfranchised from the process. It was a new measure, but it held the same underlying notion of racism and oppression of an entire group of citizenry that slavery itself did. Today, thankfully, a poll tax does not exist, but as Republican leaders continue to champion and implement voter ID requirements, they are establishing a new form of voting prerequisites and voter suppression. When nearly 25% of African Americans lack ‘appropriate ID’ in order to vote, it’s clear who their target is. When college students are barred from voting in the state where they attend school and instead must return to their home state, it’s clear who their target is. And when the process of obtaining this ‘appropriate ID’ isn’t free by any measure, it’s distinctly clear who their target is. Imagine you’re a hard-working American who holds two or three jobs just to put food on the table, and now you’re required to take a day (or more) off in order to obtain an ID. Not only does this person accrue lost work wages, but he/she also has to factor in the cost of traveling to obtain the ID, as well as fees associated with getting copies of documents like passports or birth certificates. For the individual enduring such difficult times as so many Americans today are, is all the hassle and extra expenses going to be worth it in their eyes? Or will they simply say, I wish I could vote, but I simply can’t afford it? And let’s not forget the long enduring lines, procedures and bureaucracy that will likely arise for folks in the process of receiving ID cards. It may not be a poll tax, but these new voter ID laws are just a polished version of the same oppressive measures designed to keep people of color and the poor out of the electoral process. There are currently 13 states across the country that have adopted voter ID requirements, with more pushing for similar legislation. When so many Americans do not possess a driver’s license due to an inability to purchase a vehicle or because it’s simply not necessary in an urban environment, the amount of Americans without valid ID for the polls is staggering. Once again, African Americans, Latinos, the poor and other disenfranchised groups will clearly be impacted the most by these voting requirements. And it should come as no surprise that this sector of society votes Democratic a majority of the time. If Republican officials and those who support them are so upset by the direction of the country and so insistent on the fact that we are a center-right nation, why don’t they prove it with fair elections? By conjuring up ridiculous requirements that are obviously designed to reduce the number of voters, they only validate the fact that their Party and their vision for the future is antiquated and the majority is not on their side. Instead of playing dirty politics, perhaps they should just run an election on the facts and allow everyone to freely vote. After all, what are they so afraid of? Maybe it’s high time we, the majority, take our country back.
From The Streets To The Suites: The Fight For Justice Wages On
Whether you’re blessed with stability or struggling to make ends meet, those of us with a conscience understand that the fight for civil rights continues until all of us can live at ease. Last Saturday, we at the National Action Network (NAN) were joined by tens of thousands as we collectively marched for jobs and justice in Washington, D.C. And on Wednesday evening in New York City, key figures in the arts, entertainment and sports industries gathered with us as we honored their work and commitment to the community. From the streets to the suites, the fight for justice wages on. During a weekend that marked the official Martin Luther King Jr. dedication in the nation’s capital, NAN conducted our annual rally and march for jobs and justice. At a time when millions of Americans are without work, foreclosure rates are through the roof, entire families are finding themselves homeless every day, wealth disparity is expanding, unequal access to education is plaguing impoverished communities and people have all but forgotten about the poor, we assembled to ring our voices in unison. We marched for livable wages, employment equality and a level playing field just as Dr. King did decades earlier. As we recognized our progress from the emancipator to the liberator, we rallied and marched for the injustices that still remain. While some entertainers and power players stay focused on their own advancement, others understand the significance of empowering the next generation and uplifting the people that propelled them to success. At our 2nd annual Triumph Awards, NAN recognized Tyler Perry, Judge Greg Mathis, Chris and Malaak Rock, Marva Smalls of Nickelodeon and Viacom, California’s Attorney General Kamala Harris, Maurice Cox of Pepsi-Cola, Jimmie Lee Solomon of the MLB and Tina Thompson of the LA Sparks. Through their respective fields and life’s work, each one of our honorees understands the importance of creating opportunities for the traditionally marginalized and volunteering their time and energy towards helping others. It is through this notion of sacrificing for the common good that these remarkable folks and others like them continue to champion justice. As our society evolves and momentous gains are achieved, we cannot forget to acknowledge inequities that still persist. This past week, I had the honor of addressing both the rally in Washington and our Triumph Awards in NY. As the youngest female national director of NAN, I do not take these tremendous moments lightly – for I know that I have been blessed with a great duty. Standing in unity with all those that grasp the significance of paying homage to our great leaders of the past and recognizing our modern day champions, I’m proud to watch NAN and our fearless leader Rev. Sharpton continue to take the streets to the suites – and bring everyone along in the process. RELATED: Why We Are Marching For Jobs This Saturday Do Black Women Get What They Deserve?
Why We Are Marching For Jobs This Saturday
I’m thirty-one years-old and have been marching since age 10 with my parents, Reverend Al Sharpton, and community members from across the country. My parents were founding members of the National Action Network and even as a teenager, I, and the other youth members of NAN, one of whom was musical sensation Alicia Keyes, had a better sense then some of my peers today about why it’s important to march. Let’s start with this premise: We must march for jobs and justice because we are in catastrophic times. My peers are jobless. Our elders and the working class and poor are under attack in extraordinary and systematic ways. And we are living in one of the most unpredictable and capricious times in our nation’s history. Many of my peers seem to only know of segregation through stories of relatives or by reading it in the history books and appear disengaged from the process. When you have an African American president, elected officials from all backgrounds, people of color in various businesses, a society where open discrimination is illegal and the reality of a diverse mix of entertainers in the limelight, a lot of them have difficulties seeing beyond the surface. But while there are clear advances we have made, the remnants of institutional barriers are as thick as ever. When Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was delivering his infamous “I Have a Dream†speech, his fundamental call to action was for everyone — Black, white, brown, yellow, purple — to unite in an effort to secure social and political equality across the board. It was his work for civil rights and labor rights that made him the historic figure he has become. It was near the grounds of his monument that will be unveiled this weekend that he was planning a tent city for poor people when he was killed. Decades later, that core vision is sadly unrealized. When students of color and the poor still receive inadequate education, we have not realized the dream. When there’s a staggering 50 percent unemployment rate among young Black men in many cities across the nation, we have not realized the dream. When gun violence is rampant and more of our children are dying unnecessarily each and every day, we have not realized the dream. When the imprisonment rate for minorities is disproportionate to our percentage in society, we have not realized the dream. And when people continually attempt to dismantle unions and attack American workers, we have not realized the dream. This weekend in Washington, D.C., the National Action Network, under the leadership of Rev. Al Sharpton, will once again convene our annual MLK march for justice. This year’s theme is titled: “From the Emancipator (Abraham Lincoln) to the Liberator (MLK Jr.): The Collective Journey of Civil Rights to be Reaffirmed.†As we welcome the support of esteemed individuals like Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers, and Lee Saunders, Secretary Treasury of AFSCME, we call on everyone concerned about the plight of this nation’s disparity to join us. We will conduct a rally at noon on Saturday and then march — yes march — along Independence Ave. In the spirit of our ancestors, in the spirit of Dr. King, and in the spirit of all those that died for freedom’s cause, we will march. We will march for some of my peers who are disengaged and we will continue marching until every man, woman and child truly has an equal shot at this American dream — for that is, after all, the dream each and every one of us should have. RELATED: Time For Black Journalists To Stop Criticizing Rev. Al Sharpton How The Murder Of My Son’s Father Inspired Me To Fight
The Execution Of Troy Davis Was A “Miscarriage Of Justiceâ€
As I stood in the courtyard of Jackson State Prison in Georgia yesterday holding a prayer vigil for Troy Anthony Davis, I, like so many others held out hope for some sort of miracle. In the exact location where I joined Troy’s mother in 2008 when we received such a miracle 90 minutes before his scheduled execution, perhaps I was too optimistic in believing that similar action could take place and justice would prevail. Check out the rest of our Troy Davis coverage here Top 5 Most Wrongful Executions Ever Despite the fact that there was a last minute delay in Troy’s execution last night that sent jubilation throughout the crowd, all of us collectively watched as he was eventually put to death. This time, even with an expansive global movement to save his life, the miracle unfortunately never arrived. Ever since I was first introduced to the Troy Davis case several years ago, I have been perplexed as to how a man was convicted based solely on eyewitness statements and without any physical evidence. No weapon, no DNA and no proof other than the fact that some people stated he committed the alleged crime. But what makes Troy’s case an utter travesty in our legal system is the fact that 7 out of these 9 witnesses have since recanted their testimony and many said that they were coerced or pressured into pointing the finger at Troy. And yet, he was still executed last night. One of the two remaining witnesses who did not recant his/her testimony was a man by the name of Sylvester ‘Redd’ Coles — another suspect in this case. And yet, Troy was still executed last night. A female witness even stated that she was threatened by Coles if she came forward, and yet Troy was still executed last night. Everyone from former President Jimmy Carter and Archbishop Desmond Tutu to former prison wardens and conservatives who are pro-death penalty pushed for a stay in this man’s death penalty, and yet Troy was still executed last night. I will be traveling to Washington, D.C. to meet with the Justice Department to push for a federal law that prohibits any state from prosecuting a capital case based solely on eyewitness testimony. Nowhere in America should an individual be executed again without any concrete physical evidence. And at this time, as we mourn the loss of Troy, we must continue to move as well — to mourn without moving only compounds this most egregious injustice. Although it may be very difficult, especially for those that knew Troy and those that fought on his behalf for years, we all must push forward and ensure that his death was not in vain. A federal law is absolutely necessary, and whether one is pro-death penalty or anti-death penalty like myself, we need to set the bar to where concrete evidence must be required before taking a person’s life. For those of us who were pushing for a stay in Troy’s execution, do not let anyone paint you as against the family of the slain police officer in this case, Mark MacPhail — for that is the furthest thing from the truth. Our deepest sympathies go out to the MacPhail family, and because they too deserve justice, a re-examination of this case was essential in order to truly determine who was culpable. That’s all Troy Davis asked for; a chance to halt his execution and receive a fair day in court. But tragically, that opportunity was diminished last night. As I left Georgia yesterday to return to NY, I was consumed in the irony that so many heads of state were gathered at the UN and heard the U.S. stress the importance of human rights while we simultaneously executed this man. What did they think as they turned on the news, read the papers and watched how we behaved? In order to preach and advocate for rule of law and civil/human rights, we must first rectify our own miscarriages of justice at home. Troy Davis died at the age of 42, after spending 22 years behind bars. As we know all too well, those with money and the ability to hire high-powered attorneys receive the best defense and fighting chance in court. Imagine if one day you woke up and someone accused you of murder and you were then sentenced to death for it. That’s pretty much what happened to Troy. Based solely on eyewitness testimony that is almost unanimously recanted, a man’s life was cut short last night. If laws are designed to protect us and establish a humane society, we must rectify them so that this sort of injustice never happens again. Mourn we must, but we must continue to move. Carry on the fighting spirit of Troy Davis who till his last breath, proclaimed his innocence.
The Execution Of Troy Davis Was A “Miscarriage Of Justiceâ€
As I stood in the courtyard of Jackson State Prison in Georgia yesterday holding a prayer vigil for Troy Anthony Davis, I, like so many others held out hope for some sort of miracle. In the exact location where I joined Troy’s mother in 2008 when we received such a miracle 90 minutes before his scheduled execution, perhaps I was too optimistic in believing that similar action could take place and justice would prevail. Check out the rest of our Troy Davis coverage here Top 5 Most Wrongful Executions Ever Despite the fact that there was a last minute delay in Troy’s execution last night that sent jubilation throughout the crowd, all of us collectively watched as he was eventually put to death. This time, even with an expansive global movement to save his life, the miracle unfortunately never arrived. Ever since I was first introduced to the Troy Davis case several years ago, I have been perplexed as to how a man was convicted based solely on eyewitness statements and without any physical evidence. No weapon, no DNA and no proof other than the fact that some people stated he committed the alleged crime. But what makes Troy’s case an utter travesty in our legal system is the fact that 7 out of these 9 witnesses have since recanted their testimony and many said that they were coerced or pressured into pointing the finger at Troy. And yet, he was still executed last night. One of the two remaining witnesses who did not recant his/her testimony was a man by the name of Sylvester ‘Redd’ Coles — another suspect in this case. And yet, Troy was still executed last night. A female witness even stated that she was threatened by Coles if she came forward, and yet Troy was still executed last night. Everyone from former President Jimmy Carter and Archbishop Desmond Tutu to former prison wardens and conservatives who are pro-death penalty pushed for a stay in this man’s death penalty, and yet Troy was still executed last night. I will be traveling to Washington, D.C. to meet with the Justice Department to push for a federal law that prohibits any state from prosecuting a capital case based solely on eyewitness testimony. Nowhere in America should an individual be executed again without any concrete physical evidence. And at this time, as we mourn the loss of Troy, we must continue to move as well — to mourn without moving only compounds this most egregious injustice. Although it may be very difficult, especially for those that knew Troy and those that fought on his behalf for years, we all must push forward and ensure that his death was not in vain. A federal law is absolutely necessary, and whether one is pro-death penalty or anti-death penalty like myself, we need to set the bar to where concrete evidence must be required before taking a person’s life. For those of us who were pushing for a stay in Troy’s execution, do not let anyone paint you as against the family of the slain police officer in this case, Mark MacPhail — for that is the furthest thing from the truth. Our deepest sympathies go out to the MacPhail family, and because they too deserve justice, a re-examination of this case was essential in order to truly determine who was culpable. That’s all Troy Davis asked for; a chance to halt his execution and receive a fair day in court. But tragically, that opportunity was diminished last night. As I left Georgia yesterday to return to NY, I was consumed in the irony that so many heads of state were gathered at the UN and heard the U.S. stress the importance of human rights while we simultaneously executed this man. What did they think as they turned on the news, read the papers and watched how we behaved? In order to preach and advocate for rule of law and civil/human rights, we must first rectify our own miscarriages of justice at home. Troy Davis died at the age of 42, after spending 22 years behind bars. As we know all too well, those with money and the ability to hire high-powered attorneys receive the best defense and fighting chance in court. Imagine if one day you woke up and someone accused you of murder and you were then sentenced to death for it. That’s pretty much what happened to Troy. Based solely on eyewitness testimony that is almost unanimously recanted, a man’s life was cut short last night. If laws are designed to protect us and establish a humane society, we must rectify them so that this sort of injustice never happens again. Mourn we must, but we must continue to move. Carry on the fighting spirit of Troy Davis who till his last breath, proclaimed his innocence.
