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Lädt ... Dead man walking : an eyewitness account of the death penalty in the United States (Original 1993; 1993. Auflage)von Helen Prejean
Werk-InformationenDead Man Walking. Sein letzter Gang. von Helen Prejean (1993)
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Melde dich bei LibraryThing an um herauszufinden, ob du dieses Buch mögen würdest. Keine aktuelle Diskussion zu diesem Buch. I missed this back in the 90s when it was a blockbuster film, but read it recently to prepare to see the opera version. I'm glad I'm in the loop now. Sr. Helen's personal account of spiritually advising men on death row in Louisiana was eye-opening and inspirational. For those who espouse the pro-life movement, this book challenges the dignity and worth of every life. It also exposes flaws in the judicial and prison system where death row inmates are disproportionately poor and of color. What I liked best though was how personal Prejean made this and how willing she was to enter into the darkest moments of another's life and try to lead them to light, not conversion per se, but to understanding and to right relationships. I know she has faced criticism for her role in this issue, but she is a much-needed voice of personal experience and humanity. What is most admirable was how she "fell" into this calling and didn't turn away from it, ultimately changing her life's course and focus. Her strength, faith and love are amazing. Read it so long ago but I remember its effect on me. Well and simply written, it's a powerful portrayal of several death row inmates by Sister Helen, who did not believe anyone was all bad. I don't either. With Helen, I don't believe a person should be remembered for the one worst thing he or she did in her or his life. keine Rezensionen | Rezension hinzufügen
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Im Januar 1982 fragte mich Chava Colon von der Prison Coalition, ob ich eine Brieffreundschaft mit einem zum Tode Verurteilten eingehen würde. Ich willigte ohne zu zögern ein, denn mir schien das sehr gut zu meiner Arbeit in St. Thomas, einem Wohnprojekt für mittellose farbige Mitbürger in New Orleans, zu passen. Natürlich war das Wohnprojekt keine Todeszelle, aber es kam ihr schon ziemlich nah. Auch hier war der Tod allgegenwärtig - in Gestalt von Schußwaffen, Krankheit und Sucht. Ich kam nach St. Thomas, um den Armen zu helfen, und ich ging davon aus, daß jemand, der in einer Todeszelle saß, durchaus in diese Kategorie gehörte. Jedenfalls war das mein Eindruck nach einem Vortrag, den John Vodicka 1977 gehalten hatte. Er war Gründer der Coalition on Jails and Prisons in Louisiana, für die Chava arbeitete. In dem Vortrag hatte ich ebenfalls erfahren, daß die Todesstrafe im Süden der Vereinigten Staaten besonders rigoros angewandt wird - vor allem gegen jene, die Weiße getötet haben. Das Büro der Prison Coalition war nahe dem Hope House, in dem ich Jugendliche unterrichtete, die die HighSchool abgebrochen hatten. Chava und ich begegneten uns daher sehr oft. Nachdem er den Namen des Verurteilten aufgeschrieben hatte, sagte er. "Vielleicht sollte ich Ihnen doch lieber einen anderen zuteilen. Dieser Mann ist ein Einzelgänger, der schreibt vermutlich nicht. Vielleicht möchten Sie lieber jemanden, der Ihnen auch antwortet." Keine Bibliotheksbeschreibungen gefunden. |
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Google Books — Lädt ... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)364.660973Social sciences Social problems and services; associations Criminology Punishment Death penaltyKlassifikation der Library of Congress [LCC] (USA)BewertungDurchschnitt:
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i really appreciate that she hasn't chosen as examples men on death row who are actually innocent (although how specifically guilty i suppose is in question). because her point isn't that innocent people are killed by the government (although it's true, they are), or that rehabilitation is possible (although it is). her point is simply that if it's wrong for these men to have killed (and of course it is), then it's also wrong for the state or the government to do the same (and of course it is). she shows the humanity of both sides, of the victims' families as well as the murderers and their families. she is also really honest about how she felt and the assumptions and mistakes she made along the way.
i wish the telling was a bit more polished. it's disjointed at times and inconsistent with tenses, but shows potential for a really compelling narrative. that said, the more i write about it, the more i think this was well done, even though it didn't feel particularly so as i was reading it.
"The mandate [for the Catholic Church] to practice social justice is unsettling because taking on the struggles of the poor invariably means challenging the wealthy and those who serve their [the Church's] interests."
"She pointed out that to claim to be apolitical or neutral in the face of such injustices would be, in actuality, to uphold the status quo - a very political position to take, and on the side of the oppressors." ( )