The call for swift execution of 13-year-old Nathaniel Brazill, who was
suspected of shooting a school teacher to death earlier this year, sparked
controversy.
Many people all over the world are joining the struggle against death
as a punishment. In light of the controversy mentioned above, it is apparent
that, although anti-death penalty factions may want the United States to
stop executing juveniles, to focus on reform for only that particular segment
of the population is a mistake.
Not long after the US Supreme Court lifted its ban on executions in
1976, Michael Bowers, who then was the attorney general in Georgia, chose
John E. Smith, a white man, to be the first to die in Georgia's electric
chair.
After that, the rate of executions here at Georgia Diagnostic and Classification
Prison grew rapidly (Georgia has electrocuted 23 people since capital punishment
was reinstated in 1976). For years, the demise of Mr. Smith was widely
considered to be Georgia's ``token White execution'' because of the disproportionate
number of black men who were then executed. You see, after his demise the
floodgate to routinely kill black men was opened — and has been kept open
— by the state's judicial racists.
I was asked by one of the many racist corrections officers here, ``When
you goin' to write 'bout how many blacks they killin', but still ain't
kilt but one white?''.
Of course, I chose not to answer him. First of all, I knew that this
officer was — and continues to be — very pro-death penalty. What he really
is concerned about is that the killing does not stop so he can keep making
the extra money that working on death row brings.
Secondly, I could not, in good conscience, support the killing of more
whites. To do so would, no matter how unintentionally, give support to
the death penalty.
I have shared this tiny portion of my life here on Georgia's death row
with you to emphasise that unless we stand, united, entirely against it,
to those across-the-board-supporters of executions in general it will appear
that we also selectively support the death penalty.
BY BRANDON ASTOR JONES
[The writer is a prisoner on death row in the United States. He welcomes
letters commenting on his columns (include your name and full return address
on the envelope, or prison authorities may refuse to deliver it). He can
be written to at: Brandon Astor Jones, EF-122216, G3-77, Georgia Diagnostic
& Classification Prison, PO Box 3877, Jackson, GA 30233, USA, or email
<BrandonAstorJones@hotmail.com>.
Jones is seeking a publisher for his autobiography, Growing Down.
Please notify him of any possible leads. Visit Jones' web page at <http://www.BrandonAstorJones.com>.]
