In Recognizing The Humanity Of Our Fellow

Today's Constitution Is A Realistic Document Of Freedom Only Because Of Several Corrective Amendments. Those Amendments Speak To A Sense Of Decency And Fairness That I And Other Blacks Cherish.

What Is The Quality Of Your Intent? Certain People Have A Way Of Saying Things That Shake Us At The Core. Even When The Words Do Not Seem Harsh Or Offensive, The Impact Is Shattering. What We Could Be Experiencing Is The Intent Behind The Words. When We Intend To Do Good, We Do. When We Intend To Do Harm, It Happens. What Each Of Us Must Come To Realize Is That Our Intent Always Comes Through.

What Is The Quality Of Your Intent?

When In Gregg V. Georgia The Supreme Court Gave Its Seal Of Approval To Capital Punishment, This Endorsement Was Premised On The Promise That Capital Punishment Would Be Administered With Fairness And Justice. Instead, The Promise Has Become A Cruel And Empty Mockery. If Not Remedied, The Scandalous State Of Our Present System Of Capital Punishment Will Cast A Pall Of Shame Over Our Society For Years To Come. We Cannot Let It Continue.

Some May More Quietly Commemorate The Suffering, Struggle, And Sacrifice That Has Triumphed Over Much Of What Was Wrong With The Original Document, And Observe The Anniversary With Hopes Not Realized And Promises Not Fulfilled. I Plan To Celebrate The Bicentennial Of The Constitution As A Living Document, Including The Bill Of Rights And The Other Amendments Protecting Individual Freedoms And Human Rights.