Troy Davis: If a Black Man is Lynched & Nobody’s There to See it, Did it Really Happen?
It’s been a week since Troy Davis was murdered like a dog by literally using the same drugs used to put animals to sleep put to death by the state of Georgia. Persoanlly, as attached to this case and his fight for justice over the last few years. I’ve found myself going through a range of emotions. But in the days since his execution, and even with the frustration in knowing and accepting that his cause – saving his life – has failed, that we must continue to push on with our fight against the system of injustice here in the United States of America.
As I still attempt to understand or wrap my head around the events of last week, and where we failed. I can’t help but to think of the words of Malcolm X: “Usually when people are sad, they don’t do anything. They just cry over their condition. But when they get angry, they bring about a change.” Yes I was saddened on the night he was executed; and yes, I was also very angry. And to be quite honest with you, though I know his life should have been spared by the state of Georgia granting him a new trial. I’m of the opinion that true justice would only have been served if we were collectively more outraged and “angered” by his situation.
I could be wrong, but I believe anger to be a very positive emotion when channeled, or used to fuel change – positive change. Having said that, maybe it’s going to take more Troy Davis’ for us to get there. Sick thought I know; but, what else is it going to take for us to collectively get angry and affect change? I’m not sure if any of this makes any sense. But I know a Black man was lynched a week ago here in America. And the time to be sad is over – it’s time to get angry.
Davis will be laid to rest in his hometown of Savannah, Georgia on Saturday; ironically, the same town where his fate was sealed. I doubt there will be the necessary but a little too late media circus at his funeral much like at his execution, but there should be. However, like the many who have already forgotten about him, his cause is a lost one, and is not-so-important anymore. But like I said before, a Black man was lynched last week; please believe, it can and will happen again. The question is, will be collectively get angry enough to put a stop to it? After all, aren’t we all Troy Davis?
One thing I know for sure: his spirit, and his fight for justice all the way to the end will die if we fail to care or get angry enough about his death (and that of others) to affect change, or an end to the death penalty. Troy Davis’ death should not be a wake up call. It should be a call to get angry and affect change. We can believe his case to be an anomally, but we’d be foolish in doing so.
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