Stand Your Ground
STAND YOUR GROUND…
Lesson 6.03
Naomi Larkins
English3
Word Count: 2,281
Abstract
Stand Your Ground is a look into how racism plays a role in our judicial system. This paper reflects on how literature can sometimes give you a closer glimpse into history than a textbook; the correlation between the trial of Tim Robinson in the book “To Kill A Mockingbird” and various trials throughout history that have led to convictions without physical evidence, that were based solely on lies through eyewitness testimony; how Anglo-Saxons felt about discrimination; how African-Americans felt about discrimination; how statistics show clear evidence of racial disparity in death row convictions that have now been overturned due to DNA evidence that was not available when they were arrested; and how different mediums, i.e. news, magazines, books, movies, etc… can shed light on discrimination not only on a historical basis, but through current events. In conclusion this paper will prove that in the 1900’s it didn’t matter who lied on you, if you were black you were a criminal, and if you were white you were right. It will also shed light on how the tides have slowly changed over the years leading to honest discussions about racisms role in our judicial system.
Key Words: Racism, Discrimination, Justice, History, White, Black, Convictions, Literature, Disparity, Trials, Evidence, DNA, Lies, Change
If we don’t study history we are doomed to repeat it. Reading is a fun way to learn about history because you get involved in the most intimate details of the characters lives. There have been several really good books that address racial tensions and how we have progressed as a nation. A prime example of this is the book, “To Kill A Mockingbird” regarding the trial of Tim Robinson. Most convictions in the 1900’s were based on lies with very little and sometimes no evidence. If a white person said a black person committed a crime, everyone assumed they were telling
Lesson 6.03
Naomi Larkins
English3
Word Count: 2,281
Abstract
Stand Your Ground is a look into how racism plays a role in our judicial system. This paper reflects on how literature can sometimes give you a closer glimpse into history than a textbook; the correlation between the trial of Tim Robinson in the book “To Kill A Mockingbird” and various trials throughout history that have led to convictions without physical evidence, that were based solely on lies through eyewitness testimony; how Anglo-Saxons felt about discrimination; how African-Americans felt about discrimination; how statistics show clear evidence of racial disparity in death row convictions that have now been overturned due to DNA evidence that was not available when they were arrested; and how different mediums, i.e. news, magazines, books, movies, etc… can shed light on discrimination not only on a historical basis, but through current events. In conclusion this paper will prove that in the 1900’s it didn’t matter who lied on you, if you were black you were a criminal, and if you were white you were right. It will also shed light on how the tides have slowly changed over the years leading to honest discussions about racisms role in our judicial system.
Key Words: Racism, Discrimination, Justice, History, White, Black, Convictions, Literature, Disparity, Trials, Evidence, DNA, Lies, Change
If we don’t study history we are doomed to repeat it. Reading is a fun way to learn about history because you get involved in the most intimate details of the characters lives. There have been several really good books that address racial tensions and how we have progressed as a nation. A prime example of this is the book, “To Kill A Mockingbird” regarding the trial of Tim Robinson. Most convictions in the 1900’s were based on lies with very little and sometimes no evidence. If a white person said a black person committed a crime, everyone assumed they were telling
References: Cardozo, Benjamin (Accessed 2013, April 10). Innocence Project. Retrieved From: http://www.innocenceproject.org/news/Fact-Sheets.php From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (2013, April 11). Django Unchained. Retrieved From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Django_Unchained From IMDb (2012, November 16). Lincoln. Retrieved From: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0443272/ Westervelt, Saundra; Humphrys, John (2001, June 1). Wrongly Convicted: Perspectives on Failed Justice (Critical Issues in Crime and Society). Retrieved From: http://www.amazon.com/Wrongly-Convicted-Perspectives-Justice-Critical/dp/0813529522/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1365669555&sr=1-1&keywords=wrongly+convicted