World Against the Death Penalty Day

Today is World Day Against the Death Penalty

I've been responding to the many petitions and requests for activism to end this travesty, especially with Christa Pike's botched execution in the background. Now the looming reality of the execution of Nidal Hason in Texas, by firing squad- LIVE STREAMED FOR ALL TO SEE. Absolutely unconscionable. The message that NOT all lives matter is bad enough, let alone the message that killing people is a form of entertainment.

I also just perused the list of "42 Killers still on Death Row in California." It jolted me seeing the names of many of the men I meditated with in San Quentin, regulars to my Buddhist Services held weekly there for 9 years. 

There was ___ , I remember seeing him out of his cell one day, pushing a cart of food trays. He had just been given one of the very rare jobs in Death Row as a porter. He couldn't wait to share his enthusiasm and joy at being able to serve others, at feeling some worth in being appointed the job.

There was ____, who in 2019 had the idea of creating a correspondence course out of all the meaningful study, meditation and contemplation he and the 64 other men in our Buddhist Sangha had done together over our time there. Now, just 4 years after the courses were written and made available, over 171,000 incarcerated men and women in EVERY STATE of the country have accessed our courses.

There was ____, a natural mentor and scholar, who, after Newsom transferred the DR inmates to clear the cellblock a few years ago, wrote me with so much joy at attaining his facilitation certificates and was leading many groups with other inmates.

There was ____ , a celebrity in his own right, author of many books, including one on Oprah's list of must reads, still claiming his innocence, exclaiming joy at being able to work with dogs and feeling grass under his feet after being transferred out of DR.

There was ____, who after 9 years of many visits, quite a few just him and myself, confessed to being gay and having to live closeted during his short time before his crimes, the pain.

There was ____, and ____, and ____. I'll stop here.

As soon as they were shown a glimpse of worth, they became empowered to serve others, grow their worth and continue to transform beyond what their worst moment held.

In prison work, we didn't forgive the act-we forgave the person-who like all of us-will live and die imperfect human beings. The act needs amends, restorative justice, compassion.

Unlike most of us, those on this list fell through uncountable cracks during their upbringing due to many factors of oppression, racism, discrimination...

The truth that Hurt People Hurt People is the First Noble Truth in Prison.

We all who are working with our afflictions know how little it takes even to be impatient with our loved ones.

Every time I sat with the men on Death Row, I imagined the hurt that built up before they committed their crimes, I imagined our prayers going into the mindstreams of all their victims, first responders, family members, jurors, etc. 

I ask all of my friends here who care to at least say a prayer, perhaps write your government people or call ask that they vote against the death penalty. It's archaic. It's barbaric. It doesn't work.