THE DEATH PENALTY: GANDHI AND BUDDHA WOULD BE ASHAMED

The death penalty is a broken system. One reason is because of its ability to differentiate between different races and different classes. Poor defendents are less likely to have access to a good lawyer than a wealthier person defeding against the death sentence. This is already one quick flaw in our equal justice system. Our history in America is filled with times when blacks were less valuable to society than whites. This mindset of these hundreads of years still exists to some extent, no matter how the law is. There is a possiblity that a jury might look at a black man and think he has nothing to contribute to society just because that's how history has trained our brains to think. Even on a subconscience level, blacks are not on an equal level with whites and it's not fair to kill them because of their skin color.
65% of voters in states where capitol punishment exists support the death penalty. This 65% represents an even bigger percentage of our society that values power over everything. When something happens to someone, it's human nature to want revenge. To do the same thing back so you don't appear weak. So you are always the winner in this game of life. We turn to the death penalty because when someone takes away the life of a loved one, we need to get even. We think coping is done best with revenge. We were hurt so bad by the action and the best thing to possibly do now is do the same thing back. But wait! That's not what I learned my whole life. Even in pre-school, I learned if someone hits me, I don't hit them back. I tell the teacher who will probably put the kid in a timeout. It's the basics of moral behavior. You do not get to do something wrong to someone because they did it to you. They will get a punishment to learn what they did was wrong.

Gandhi and Buddha are two of the many historical figures widely known for their will power to do what is right despite the most trying circumstances. I would like to assume our society looks up to their morals, ethics, and values. Their philosophy is the road to world peace. Should we not strive to fulfill their beliefs? These two quotes preach forgiveness not revenge. I believe in a society that models this philosophy. The death penalty has not proven to save money, or to deter crime. It is a moral our society has, that the worst crime deserves the ultimate punishment. It is a moral of revenge, contradicting what both Gandhi and Buddha preached in their lifetimes. The death penalty is the family's revenge on the person who killed their loved one. I don't know how I would react if someone were to murder a family member of mine. I can tell you that I hope I would be the bigger person and not turn to revenge, but to making it right. Putting the person in their "timeout" where they have a lifetime in jail to be reminded what they did was wrong and not accepted by society. I hope that I wouldn't want to hurt their family the way the murderer hurt me. The temptation individuals in our society have to appear strong and powerful is why so many Americans support the death penalty. It is easy and instinctual to get back at someone who has hurt you. However, I do not think that is a healthy way to live. The easy thing is usually not the right thing. Killing someone might make things even, but it does not bring love and happiness into the world. It will not bring back that innocent person, and it is not a healthy way to cope.