Inhumane Humans
By: Brooklyn Lile
Which would you persevere as more humane, killing the victim instantly, no pain or
suffering, or locking the victim up, alone and waiting to die? The definition of humane is having
or showing compassion or benevolence towards any human being. How is allowing someone to
die slowly, mentally and physically, showing any sort of compassion or sympathy? It obviously
does not! While the death penalty is still a rather harsh way to die, life in prison will not only
change a person’s appearance, but also their view point and personality towards life.
Some people may consider the death penalty as the easy way out. Judy Kerr, a victim
outreach coordinator for California Crime Victims for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, states,
“Some of us believe that the death penalty is too kind on the killer of our loved ones.” Yes, there
is nothing that can replace the feeling a loved one brings to you, but that is NO excuse to make
someone suffer. Seeking vengeance only leads to more violence and sin. Romans 12:19 says,
“Beloved never avenge yourself, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is
mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” We, as humans, should not live our lives seeking revenge.
God has proclaimed that all those who are guilty, shall be punished. Revenge is the root of all
evil; therefore, when you have the decision of the death penalty or life in prison for another, go
by the law, not by your own evil intentions. Show compassion to others, even those who have
done evil.
Furthermore, many people believe that the death penalty is too expensive. Statistics show
that around one billion dollars is spent on the death penalty every five years. How are we humans
being humane when it’s okay in our minds to go out and spend $500 at the local mall, but we
can’t help save someone from suffering in a “pre-hell”? That is truly pitiful. Don’t get me wrong,
I love going to the mall and buying the newest trends. Honestly, who doesn’t have to have that
adorable teal top that would go perfectly with your cute black boots? All I am trying to say is
that we may let our own evil thoughts, such as ones dealing with money, get in our way of seeing
what is right or wrong, humane or inhumane. Our thoughts blind our knowledge like a blindfold
upon your eyes.
Lastly, being humane is when you show kindheartedness to ALL humans, not just a
certain race. Why would you judge someone because their skin pigments are different than
yours? Uhm, hello! It is just an arrangement of color. You don’t judge a rainbow because of
what colors are visible, so why judge humans? A 1990 report found a pattern of evidence
indicating racial disparities in charging and sentencing of the death penalty. Which lead to a
recent report conducted by the American Bar Association. This survey concluded that one-third
of all African-American inmates of death roll in Philadelphia would have received sentences of
life imprisonment if they had not been African-American. Senator Russ Feingold states, “We
simply cannot say we live in a country that offers equal justice to all Americans when racial
disparities plague the system by which our society imposes the ultimate punishment." This quote
is the utter truth. How can we, as a country, debate on which punishment is more humane, when
we can’t even look past someone’s skin color? Before we can argue, we must first cleanse our
eyes from physical appearance, our minds from any wicked ideas, and open our hearts to what
we know is the truth.
In today’s society, our prejudice, greed, and evil ideas hold us back from showing
compassion to others. Before you let these things influence our decision on whether the death
penalty or life in prison is more humane, put yourself in the inmate’s shoes. Now tell me, which
punishment is more humane?
Bibliography:
1. http://www.amnestyusa.org/our-work/issues/death-penalty/us-death-penalty-facts/deathpenalty-and-race
2. http://www.good.is/posts/weighing-the-death-penalty-vs-life-without-parole