African American Attitudes Towards Death Penalty

Attitudes towards the death penalty differs among the different groups of society. Throughout my research findings, it is just to conclude that African Americans tend to oppose the death penalty, whereas Whites lean more towards supporting the use of the death penalty. One reason why African Americans strongly oppose execution is due to their unfair experiences, and encounters with the criminal justice system—especially the police— that has fuelled this opposition, fear, and resistance to such sanctions. To further prove that the death penalty results in the death of innocents, it is important to take a look at the unique experiences the Black community has, and still is facing with the criminal justice system, and implementation of the death

Whereby district attorneys dismiss African Americans from jury duty in such capital cases. More statistical research findings establish the differential attitudes towards the death penalty further proves the social construction of the death penalty, and it’s favour to Whites. According to one research study done by Bader et. al. (2010), found that in a survey of 1,721 random U.S citizens, whites and conservatives, are strongly for the belief that they do not want the death penalty abolished. In another research study of 600 White and 600 Black individuals through the National Race and Crime Survey (2007) founded that the percentage of whites in favour was 64.96 %, compared to 50% of blacks are in favour. Interestingly they also found that the majority of whites surveyed expressed a high resistance to beliefs that the death penalty is racially unfair or caused by structural oppression, nor is that the system is racially biased. Instead they believe that it is because they (racialized groups— specifically Blacks), deserve it. Therefore proving that the implementation of the the death penalty is a result of public

In his defence of the use of the death penalty in terms of deterrence, he claims that it is the distributive process, also known as the trial, in which injustice is present. However, he also believes that trials are more likely to be fair since life is at stake. This does not apply to Davis’ case. It seems as if the jury did not really look into his situation more carefully, but instead acted upon fear and instinct that Davis is indeed guilty. Despite the fact that there were no evidence to prove that he was indeed the murder, there were no murder weapons found, no DNA samples, or blood evidence, the jury still found him guilty and sentenced him to death row. Even after having seven out of the nine witnesses withdraw their claims of seeing Davis murder the officer, and even so mentioned that they were tipped by the police, they still proceeded with the execution. Where is the justice in this? Where was the careful consideration that Haag was talking about? What was the benefit of executing Davis? Perhaps the main motive to execute Davis, or arguably all those who were executed, was to avoid more murders, and bring peace to the victims family. In Davis’ case, the outcomes were the complete opposite. One day after Davis’ execution, the Washington Post wrote an article speaking to the innocence of Davis, and the continuous fight of his supporters.Some supporters included Pope Benedict