Humanizing Death Row: Art, Advocacy, and Abolition

Devotional

Day 1: Seeing Through Their Eyes

The exhibit encourages us to see the world through the eyes of those on death row. By engaging with their art and stories, we can better understand their experiences and the systemic issues that led them there. This perspective-taking is crucial for fostering empathy and driving meaningful conversations about the death penalty. The art pieces, many created by those on death row, are designed to provoke thought and conversation. For example, Kenny Smith's artwork offers a literal view from his cell, and a model of a death row cell allows you to experience the confined space. This immersive experience helps us to humanize those who are often dehumanized by society and the justice system. [31:58]

"Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body." — Hebrews 13:3 (ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively seek to understand the experiences of those who are marginalized or dehumanized in your community today?

Day 2: Addressing Systemic Injustices

While innocence cases are compelling, they are just the tip of the iceberg. The systemic issues of racism, poverty, and lack of legal counsel affect everyone on death row. Redirecting conversations to focus on these systemic flaws helps to highlight the broader injustices of the death penalty system. By understanding these systemic issues, we can better advocate for comprehensive reforms that address the root causes of these injustices. This approach shifts the focus from individual cases to the broader, more pervasive problems that need to be addressed. [36:57]

"Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy." — Proverbs 31:9 (ESV)

Reflection: What specific systemic issue related to justice can you learn more about and advocate for change in your community?

Day 3: Humanizing the Condemned

The exhibit aims to humanize those on death row by using their names and showcasing their art. In contrast, the death penalty dehumanizes both the individuals it targets and society as a whole. Recognizing this helps us to see the moral and ethical implications of state-sanctioned executions. By focusing on the humanity of those on death row, we can challenge the narratives that justify their dehumanization and advocate for more compassionate and just alternatives. [43:52]

"Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him." — Proverbs 14:31 (ESV)

Reflection: How can you honor the humanity of those who are often dehumanized in your daily interactions and conversations?

Day 4: Engaging in Civic Action

Legislative changes often make it harder to challenge death penalty convictions. By understanding and opposing these policies, we can work towards systemic change. Civic engagement, such as supporting bills that make judicial override retroactive, is crucial for challenging the death penalty. This involves staying informed about legislative developments, participating in advocacy efforts, and encouraging others to do the same. Civic engagement is a powerful tool for enacting meaningful change and challenging unjust systems. [39:36]

"Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare." — Jeremiah 29:7 (ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific action you can take this week to engage in civic advocacy for justice reform?

Day 5: Advocating for Restorative Justice

The death penalty is not the only form of extreme punishment. Life sentences and long-term imprisonment also perpetuate harm. We should advocate for transformational and restorative justice systems that focus on healing and rehabilitation rather than extreme punishment. This approach emphasizes the potential for transformation and redemption, offering a more compassionate and effective alternative to punitive justice systems. By advocating for restorative justice, we can work towards a system that prioritizes healing and restoration for all involved. [45:44]

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." — Romans 12:21 (ESV)

Reflection: How can you support or get involved in initiatives that promote restorative justice in your community?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Thank you all for being here today. I want to express my gratitude to Reverend Julie Comrade, Kim, Lee Hedgepeth, Kara, Kate, and all the volunteers who made this exhibit possible. This exhibit is a collaborative effort initiated by Project Hope to Abolish the Death Penalty, a nonprofit run by people on death row. Our goal is to bring to life the documents and stories of those affected by the death penalty through art and community engagement.

The exhibit aims to foster perspective-taking and critical thinking. We want you to see the world through the eyes of those on death row and to engage in meaningful discussions about the death penalty. The art pieces, many created by those on death row, are designed to provoke thought and conversation. For example, Kenny Smith's artwork offers a literal view from his cell, and a model of a death row cell allows you to experience the confined space.

We have organized the exhibit into three main components: clemency, reversal, and abolition. The clemency section features letters written on behalf of Gary Brown, who was executed in 2003. The reversal section highlights cases where death penalty convictions were overturned, emphasizing the systemic issues that lead to wrongful convictions. The abolition section, the largest part of the exhibit, focuses on the ultimate goal of ending the death penalty.

We also want to provide you with talking points for when you discuss the death penalty with others. Innocence is a starting point but not an endpoint. The systemic issues of racism, poverty, and lack of legal counsel affect not just those wrongfully convicted but everyone on death row. Redirect conversations to focus on the systemic flaws rather than individual cases. Highlight the policy changes that perpetuate the death penalty and encourage civic engagement to challenge these injustices.

Finally, we emphasize the humanization of those on death row and the dehumanization caused by the death penalty. We use names instead of labels like "inmate" or "felon" to honor their humanity. The death penalty dehumanizes us all, and it is incompatible with human dignity, mercy, and transformation. We invite churches to host this exhibit and engage in these critical conversations.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Taking and Empathy**: The exhibit encourages us to see the world through the eyes of those on death row. By engaging with their art and stories, we can better understand their experiences and the systemic issues that led them there. This perspective-taking is crucial for fostering empathy and driving meaningful conversations about the death penalty. [31:58]
2. Systemic Issues Over Individual Cases: While innocence cases are compelling, they are just the tip of the iceberg. The systemic issues of racism, poverty, and lack of legal counsel affect everyone on death row. Redirecting conversations to focus on these systemic flaws helps to highlight the broader injustices of the death penalty system.

3. Humanization vs. Dehumanization: The exhibit aims to humanize those on death row by using their names and showcasing their art. In contrast, the death penalty dehumanizes both the individuals it targets and society as a whole. Recognizing this helps us to see the moral and ethical implications of state-sanctioned executions.

4. Policy and Civic Engagement: Legislative changes often make it harder to challenge death penalty convictions. By understanding and opposing these policies, we can work towards systemic change. Civic engagement, such as supporting bills that make judicial override retroactive, is crucial for challenging the death penalty.

5. Alternatives to Extreme Punishment: The death penalty is not the only form of extreme punishment. Life sentences and long-term imprisonment also perpetuate harm. We should advocate for transformational and restorative justice systems that focus on healing and rehabilitation rather than extreme punishment.

### [31:58]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[28:39] - Introduction to Project Hope
[29:50] - Artistic Collaboration
[31:01] - Empowering Conversations
[31:58] - Perspective-Taking and Critical Thinking
[33:06] - Clemency Exhibit
[34:12] - Reversal Exhibit
[35:12] - Abolition Exhibit
[36:22] - Systemic Issues and Innocence
[37:32] - Restorative Justice
[38:28] - Procedural Law and Misconduct
[39:36] - Legislative Challenges
[40:42] - Execution Methods
[41:45] - Medical and Ethical Concerns
[42:50] - State Power and Control
[43:52] - Humanization and Dehumanization
[44:43] - Expanding Involvement
[45:44] - Alternatives to Extreme Punishment
[46:58] - Closing Remarks

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What are the three main components of the exhibit mentioned in the sermon? ([33:06])
How does the exhibit aim to foster perspective-taking and empathy? ([31:58])
What systemic issues are highlighted as affecting everyone on death row, not just those wrongfully convicted? ([36:22])
How does the exhibit aim to humanize those on death row? ([43:52])

Interpretation Questions

How does Micah 6:8 relate to the systemic issues of racism, poverty, and lack of legal counsel discussed in the sermon? ([36:22])
In what ways does Matthew 25:40 challenge us to view and treat those on death row? ([43:52])
How does Hebrews 13:3 encourage us to engage with the stories and experiences of those on death row? ([31:58])
What are the moral and ethical implications of state-sanctioned executions as discussed in the sermon? ([42:50])

Application Questions

How can you personally engage in perspective-taking to better understand the experiences of those on death row? ([31:58])
What steps can you take to redirect conversations about the death penalty to focus on systemic issues rather than individual cases? ([36:22])
How can you contribute to the humanization of those on death row in your community or church? ([43:52])
What actions can you take to support legislative changes that challenge the death penalty? ([39:36])
How can you advocate for alternatives to extreme punishment in your local justice system? ([45:44])
Reflect on a time when you felt dehumanized. How does this experience help you empathize with those on death row? ([43:52])
What specific ways can you and your small group get involved in civic engagement to oppose the death penalty? ([39:36])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "We wanted to model the kind of community building and solidarity that the death penalty is meant to interrupt and so we did that through collaboration working together we also do it by collaborating with churches like y'all's and working with volunteers to set up and break it down it's always a powerful community building experience just having the exhibit and the conversations that it creates." [31:01] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "We want the exhibit to really inspire two things number one perspective taking and so you'll notice a lot of the pieces invite you to adopt the perspective of the people who are on death row especially the art that's been created by them... inviting people to take the perspective of folks who are currently awaiting execution was one of our objectives and then the second was creating a springboard for critical thinking in discussion." [31:58] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "We want this exhibit to focus on humanizing people, and so if you'll notice, we don't replicate the dehumanizing labels of the system. We don't use terms like inmate, convict, felon. We use people's names. We try to name them when possible... We really also wanted to emphasize the dehumanization of the system and how the death penalty dehumanizes and debases us all." [43:52] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The incompatibility of the death penalty with human dignity, mercy, and transformation, which is why we are inviting churches in particular to host this exhibit and have these conversations about whether or not the death penalty is really commensurate with our values in the system. And so we really wanted to highlight some discrepancies between the system and this region's religiosity." [45:44] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "Innocence is a starting point but not an end point. Innocence cases are important, terrifying, undercut the system in obvious ways and are often the thing that pulls people over to say, you know, in some cases, a death penalty is wrong. But I really want us to think about how it is that somebody who did not commit a crime winds up on death row to begin with." [36:22] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Focusing on systemic issues and not the facts of the crime is challenging, but when you talk to people who are advocating for the death penalty, that will try to remind you of why somebody was sentenced to death and why they deserve it... Does executing somebody really contribute to repair or does it continue to retraumatize and perpetuate harm?" [37:32] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Redirecting people's attention also to policy the policy that contributes to the perpetuation of the death penalty especially in states like Alabama also encourages people to become more civically engaged... Supporting legislation that corrects some of these injustices is one way to get that get folks involved." [39:36] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We also wanted to highlight the resistance and advocacy of the people who are on death row who are already fighting for their own lives and so the way we organize the existence of the death penalty in the exhibit was we broke it up into three components or pieces of the exhibit three ways in which people resist the death penalty one is clemency... the second way in which people advocate for themselves is by appealing their cases... and then finally abolition." [33:06] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Alternatives to the death penalty. A lot of times you will hear folks talk about life in prison or long sentences. Those are still extreme sentences. And so I also want to urge and empower you to move away from extreme punishment as a replacement for the death penalty. Transformational and restorative justice systems that look at what we can do." [45:44] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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