We won't be able to discuss DOI this week since we're meeting in the library, but I'd like us to start discussing it here. Let's talk about Dobie Gillis Williams' case as Sister Helen describes it. Do you see any flaws in the way justice was carried out in this case? Sister Helen clearly does, but maybe you don't agree w/ her on some points. Here is a good place to start these conversations.
A big issue in this first chapter is the fact that many black defendants (like Dobie)--esp. those who are indigent (don't have the $ to afford a good lawyer)--are not tried by a jury of their peers (i.e. the entire jury is white). Coincidentally, there are two editorials in today's NY Times about this very issue. Check them out:
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/02/opinion/excluding-blacks-from-juries.html?action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=opinion-c-col-left-region®ion=opinion-c-col-left-region&WT.nav=opinion-c-col-left-region
and
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/02/opinion/how-america-tolerates-racism-in-jury-selection.html?action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=opinion-c-col-left-region®ion=opinion-c-col-left-region&WT.nav=opinion-c-col-left-region
I believe there is a lot of flaws in the way justice was carried out in this case. People should have a chance to prove themselves either wrong or right, but somehow. Because innocent lives are being taking away everyday and they don't get the opportunity to speak what it really is. Imagine how many innocent died because of the system and the way it all work. According to The Death of Innocents, I find the part interesting where Dobie did not accept the warden's invitation and so they took him up first for execution; I believe they were trying to show him who have the power. I believe that part was immature of them trying to take revenge.
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ReplyDeleteThis two editorials "How America Tolerates Racism in Jury Selection" and "Excluding Blacks From Juries" are base on racism. Black juries were thrown out of the jury because of marital status, manner of dress, last names in other words because of their color. According to a few research its better to have people from different races in a jury instead of one particular color. Because there is a chance of less errors on making the decisions.There should not be racial discrimination and definitely not in jury selection. Juries supposed to speak the truth about the situation not base their answers on someone's color, because their dealing with that person's life and should be serious not being racial about the whole situation.
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