My limited intake of news and media coverage sometimes means I am late to hear about things others have known of for a long time. In this case, it has limited by ability to take action or advocate as much as I'd like, but the story is so important, it still bears passing along.
This morning over breakfast, Andy and I heard a story about Troy Anthony Davis, an African-American man convicted of shooting a White police officer in Savannah, GA.
The conviction was based on no hard evidence (no physical evidence); just the accounts of witnesses - seven of whom have recanted.
He has spent the last 17 years in prison, and he's set to be executed tomorrow night (Sept. 23). Amnesty International has been doing work on his behalf, and multiple people have written to the parole board and others on his behalf (Jimmy Carter and Bob Barr among them).
It truly sounds like another example of institutionalized racism and the oppression of someone based on their color/ethnicity. I don't know all the details of the case, having just heard about this man's situation today... but I am forever dismayed and confused when I meet people who insist such discrimination and oppression no longer exists.
May we one day find a better balance between valuing each other's differences and distinctions and recognizing the commonalities we share in our human journey. So far, we seem to continue to fall down too often.
If you are interested in taking action to help advocate for Davis's pardon, click here.
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