For a white man's execution, where are black protesters?

[tuvor]

Los Angeles -- In the wee hours of the morning of Jan. 17, another man will be put to death by lethal injection in the state of California. This comes exactly 36 days after the execution of Stanley Tookie Williams. But where are the protesters?

With just a few days to go before the scheduled execution of a 76-year-old blind and deaf man who uses a wheelchair, there has been no public outcry of support for clemency for Clarence Ray Allen, who is white. There have been no planned protests and celebrity read-ins in support of saving an old man's life. Community activists and civil rights leaders aren't organizing statewide tours to bring attention to Allen's execution. There hasn't even been one "Kill Clarence Ray Allen Hour" from KFI-AM's "John and Ken Show."

Which raises the question: Was the community cry for clemency for Williams because he was a black man, or was it because the death penalty is immoral, inhumane and cruel?

Granted, Allen hasn't written any children's books, been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize, or had a Hollywood actor play him in a film, but that doesn't mean his life isn't worth saving.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/01/08/INGODGHE4H1.DTL

[stepnw1f]

1. What a Stupid Analogy

"why aren't blacks protesting the death of a white man?"

or how about...

"whites are persecuted too"

[Karenina]

34. Please read the article.

It's not long.

[stepnw1f]

38. Yeah... I read It

So what? The reasons for the public outcry of a Black man was not just any man or woman. Most know he was up for a Noble Prize and that he was the creator of an infamous West Coast gang in which he tried to make amends for. It's not just because he was "black", and I don't appreciate the intellectual dishonesty in trying to compare the two cases...

It is a shame that we even have a Death Penalty. This is the underlying "root" issue.

This article is intentionally divisive misleading bullshit!

[Karenina]

42. I think you have really misinterpreted

the author's point. What I gleaned was that she wanted to rally those opposed to the DP. Her target audience was the black community and her message was "Pump up the volume! Things that make ya go Hmmmm..." That was my understanding. Your mileage may vary.

[Guaranteed]

2. .....

:popcorn:

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. That last paragraph in your post answers your question

Granted, Allen hasn't written any children's books, been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize, or had a Hollywood actor play him in a film,

It isn't about him being white. :eyes:

[tuvor]

7. The question is not mine. It was the headline for the article. n/t

[pitohui]

29. difficult to be an accomplished person

when you're blind, deaf, and in a wheelchair it would be rather difficult to be a nobel prize winner

be that as it may, if i were blind, deaf, and in a wheelchair, i would want to be put out of my misery, this old man is getting a more merciful death than plenty of my older relatives who committed no crime

[...of J.Temperance]

47. Anybody can get nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize...all you have to

Have is an academic write a letter nominating you and then sending it to the Nobel Peace Prize Committee.

[hlthe2b]

4. I think they answered their own question: Allen hasn't done

anything redeeming in his time in prison--in fact the murders occured upon his order while he WAS in prison. Now, I'm anti-death penalty and this includes opposition to Allen's death as well as Sadaam Hussein. But, I surely can understand why there is not the same level of furvor to save Allen as for Tookie. To imply it is a racist issue (as I am reading between the lines from this article) is just wrong IMO.

[yknot]

5. Um... Maybe because there's no history of institutional racism of whites?

There's plenty of evidence that many black executions have had a racial component, the converse (white executions) do not.

[bowens43]

6. Silly article that negates it's own argument.

The out cry for clemency for Tookie Williams was because of his actions since being sentenced. In the eyes of many , he redeemed himself and was providing an invaluable service to society. This is even stated in the article.


It had nothing to do with black/white issues.

[proud2BlibKansan]

13. I am not reading that publication anymore

They have a tendency to run silly stories like this.

[KingFlorez]

8. There were never any racial motives

A lot of people supported Tookie because of things he did to try and redeem himself, not because he was black.

[...of J.Temperance]

51. Tookie never tried to redeem himself, he never even apologized to

His victims families. Whatever Tookie did was all about Tookie and he was telling lies right up until the end.

Sorry about this, because you and I often agree in threads, but hey, we can't agree on stuff all of the time :)

[MrSlayer]

9. The guy is half dead already.

I see this execution as a mercy.

But you do make a good point.

Where are the celebs and protest groups? I guess this guy isn't sexy enough.

[...of J.Temperance]

16. Hey maybe he needs a cute nickname like Tookie had...what about

Clarence Ray "Boo-Boo" Allen? Or Clarence Ray "Sugar Bee" Allen?

Those stupid books of Tookie's only sold about 600 copies if that. Also anybody can get nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, all you need is a letter from an academic...one letter is all.

[hlthe2b]

20. I can't believe....

how disgusting I find this. This particular post, can't help but make me wonder about your racial tolerance. I hope you didn't mean it that way...:shrug:

While you make good points about the need for consistency with respect to the death penalty, I think you also realize that whether you are for or against the death penalty, this is a long term fight. Along the way, some battles will be more fiercely fought than others. While that may seem inconsistent to you, I think most recognize that some death penalty cases are more controversial than others-- whether you are an opponent or fierce proponent. To the degree that there are extenuating circumstances before the fact, doubts about guilt, or evidence of rehabilitation with respect to each case--these are issues that impact each "battle." Diminishing that fact by suggesting it is only the race of the condemned, or some "cute" nickname that makes the difference is appalling to me.

[...of J.Temperance]

25. I'm very racially tolerant, thank you :)

My point was that obviously to draw attention to himself and for other Death Row inmates to draw attention to themselves and get the blanket coverage that the likes of Stanley Williams got...you know Mike Farrell, Bianca Jagger et al camping outside of the jailhouse and all the media coverage...then my advice to those on Death Row is to get themselves a catchy nickname, doesn't matter if they're black or white...they need one.

Catchy nickname and IF they can't write a book or books that sell about 600 copies combined...then perhaps they could paint some pictures of stuff like John Wayne Gacy did...needn't be clowns, it could be buffalo herds for all I care.

On Edit: Dammit spelling error.

[hlthe2b]

27. Glad to hear it....

re: racial tolerance

[...of J.Temperance]

33. Sorry for any misunderstanding over the racial tolerance :) n/t

[MrSlayer]

21. LOL!

Sugar Bee.

[...of J.Temperance]

26. Sugar Bee, has a nice sound to it eh?

:)

[LisaL]

23. If his execution is a mercy, should we start killing off all the

elderly. The guy is blind, deaf, and in a wheelchair. Seems kind of sick that we feel the need to execute people like that.

[MrSlayer]

30. No not all of them.

But if I was in this guy's condition I would kill myself. No point in going on.

[LisaL]

36. You are not him, and he is not you. He is not asking for

an execution.

[MrSlayer]

39. No, but he's going to get one anyway.

Perhaps they should just leave him alive, death is preferable to living that way.

[...of J.Temperance]

10. This is my poll from yesterday on a similar line of questioning to yours

I'm not bothered about the color of who's protesting, I'm more bothered about the complete inconsistency of the anti-Death Penalty crowd.

I also had a poll asking "Do you know who John Nixon is?" this was days after Tookie was rightly executed...and 70% of the people who answered my poll didn't know who John Nixon was...and yet he was due to be executed in Mississippi the following day.

Here's my poll from yesterday and there's some comments too.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x75015

And yes, Clarence Ray Allen should be executed.

[tuvor]

11. I wasn't asking any questions, that was the title of the article.

The subject line is the title of the article I linked to. The only person asking the question would be the author of the article.

[...of J.Temperance]

12. I know...I understand that :)

[Sapphire Blue]

14. FYI... Clarence Ray Allen is Native American (Choctaw); clemency petition

... is available @ http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizations/ncadp/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=1735

Please consider signing.

[...of J.Temperance]

49. So he's a convicted murderer, but because he's a Native American

He should be granted clemency? I apologize if I've misinterpreted your comments.

[Skidmore]

15. I'm sorry but I'm having a hard time getting up a head of steam

about the death penalty for anyone this weekend. Yesterday's paper had a story about a man in this area who is up for trial soon for raping and suffocating a 10 year old girl he and his brother had been molesting for some while. He murdered the child shortly after his brother had been charged with molesting her for a 3 year period. His complaint now is that he can't get a fair trial in the area due to his brother's trial. Personally, at this point, I'd like to see both of them gone from this world.

[...of J.Temperance]

50. It's like Leroy Fears...a total freak that needs executing immediately

Leroy Fears abducted a 12 year-old boy, took him to an isolated spot, then anally raped him, tied him up and threw the boy in the river alive...whereupon the boy drowned.

Yes and we're supposed to show compassion and clemency to wastes of space like Leroy Fears...and this fellow that you mention in your comments.

Not a chance...and yes I'd stick the needle in them myself...actually for child murderers, the electric chair should be brought back...and yes, I'd pull the switch on them myself.

[Sapphire Blue]

17. Anti-DP resource thread...

ABOLISH the DEATH PENALTY!! Resources (Please add any you know!)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=106x25452

[Sapphire Blue]

18. 1/12: Press Conference/Rally to Stop The Execution of Clarence Ray Allen

Press Conference/Rally to Stop The Execution of Clarence Ray Allen
Thursday, January 12, 2006 4:00 PM
The California State Building
Van Ness and McAllister
San Francisco, CA 94102

http://www.indybay.org/news/2006/01/1794112.php

[William769]

19. It's simple

He's not from the hood.

[Neil Lisst]

22. This a rightwing talking point.

I understand it's the title to an article, but why give it credence?

It sounds like something Rush would say. It's not a sincere statement of concern. It's a haughty, arrogant statement that attempts to cast aspersions on blacks who protest the death penalty when a black is involved.

There are a few souls who fight the death penalty because it's morally wrong, and there are some who fight it because they think it's racially biased. Those are two different thought processes and two different mindsets.

The title is wrong because it attempts to pit blacks against whites, and it lacks sincerity.

[Fla Dem]

24. Self Deleted...topic already addressed. n/t

[bluestateguy]

28. Sometimes you have to take a pass on certain cases

Certain people are not good poster children for the anti-death penalty movement and evoke no sympathy.

[tishaLA]

32. A blind, wheel-chair bound man with organ failure?

Evokes no sympathy? What have we become?

[bluestateguy]

37. See, I look at what he did to the victims

Evidently, that's not a concern for you

[tishaLA]

40. Ah. Binary thinking.

Sympathy for one doesn't mean no sympathy for the other. Sorry, but I fail to see what putting a blind, wheel-chair bound man with organ failure to death does to make us better, nor do I see how giving sympathy to him, in his weakened state, connotes anything about my feelings toward the victims.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

60. Clarence Ray Allen is a bad man

who's now blind, deaf, and in a wheel chair. Still it's hard to have sympathy for him - he's a bad person trapped in a dying body. Stanley Williams began a criminal organization that is still a blight on our communities, and will continue to be the root cause of death, destruction and unhappiness for many years.

I have sympathy for neither man, but to say that what Williams did to his victims is somehow better than what Allen did to his victims is specious.

I'm generally against the death penalty - the exceptions I grant are for child killers and cop killers. Tookie directly and indirectly caused the deaths of both kids and cops, in pretty significant numbers. He made the terrible decision early in life to be this way, and I feel very little remorse for his passing.

[monobrau]

52. Really?

I am against the death penalty and was ready to throw up at the idea of a pig like Tookie being made a poster boy.
The hypocrisy and opportunism on display here is disgusting.

[tishaLA]

31. Why isn't the article titled--

"For a White (sic) Man's Execution, Why Are Racist Radio Talk Show Hosts Silent?" and then focus on the shenanigans John and Ken did before Williams' execution. The article is bullshit race-baiting.

The LA Times loves to be enlightened bourgeois liberals and tell us they "get" the movie Crash, like all bourgeois liberals in the suburbs do, and then they cannot confront the truths of American race and racism.

[Catherine Vincent]

35. This writer knows damn well it didn't have anything to do with race.

There were a lot of blacks that have been executed and you didn't see much protesting from blacks (except for the anti-death penalty crowd).

[ScreamingMeemie]

41. I wrote just as many letters of protest as I did for Mr Williams....

Thank you.

[ulysses]

43. protestors or not

the death penalty still has no place in a civilized society.

[stepnw1f]

44. Exactly... (nt)

[JerseygirlCT]

45. Absolutely. nt

[...of J.Temperance]

46. Is that for everybody? What about Adolf Hitler?

Would you have said that Adolf Hitler had he of been caught, wouldn't have deserved the Death Penalty?

[ulysses]

53. I won't invoke Godwin's Law.

:) But yes, that's for everybody. If the death penalty were to ever be justly applied it would have been to Hitler had he not offed himself, but it would still have been a barbaric practice, even in his case.

[...of J.Temperance]

61. Godwin's Law...oh heck do I have to punish myself by not having

Milk Duds and A&W Cream Soda for a month? :)

[proud2BlibKansan]

54. Amen

Hey are you as sick of these Tookie threads as I am?

Let the man RIP.

[ulysses]

55. I just find it ironic

that the ones who are still bringing it up are the ones who got their way.

[proud2BlibKansan]

56. Just like kids rubbing our nose in it

[ulysses]

57. it's fetching, isn't it?

[proud2BlibKansan]

58. I was getting tired of DU and then we had a meetup on Friday

and it was so great I remembered why I am here.

I am just going to resolve to ignore the bullshit.

[ulysses]

59. just ignore the bloodthirsty.

Me, I enjoy a little sparring with them now and then. :D

[Nikki Stone 1]

48. What? John and Ken are ignoring this?!

There hasn't even been one "Kill Clarence Ray Allen Hour" from KFI-AM's "John and Ken Show."



I can't imagine John and Ken passing up the chance to rouse passions against another death row inmate scheduled for execution. It isn't like them. Perhaps they are under the weather....


Maybe we should stage a protest:

http://johnandkenshow.com/