“WHOAH! I feel good!”
(Insert saxophone solo here and also perhaps, a memorable James Brown wiggle…)
This week Pres. Obama received a letter endorsed by over 100 celebrities. Included were: Harry Belafonte, Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, Roseanne Barr, Russell Brand, Jim Carrey, Deepak Chopra, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Cameron Diaz, Jamie Foxx, Ice-T, Scarlett Johannson, seemingly all the Kardashians, LL Cool J, Eva Longoria, Ludacris, Nicki Minaj, Demi Moore, Michael Moore, Chris Rock, Susan Sarandon, Russell Simmons, Will & Jada Pinkett Smith, Mike Tyson, Lil Wayne, and more.
The 100 plus actors, rappers,and notable other celebrities asked to meet with the President to discuss reforming the criminal justice system and alter federal drug policy, pursuing less prison and more rehab. They wrote: “we are a coalition of concerned advocates that is ready to support you in more innovative criminal justice reform and implementing more alternatives to incarceration… you now have the opportunity to leave a legacy by transforming our criminal justice system to an intervention and rehabilitation based model. Many of those impacted by the prison industrial complex are among your most loyal constituents…”
While several of the advocates have been noted for questionable ethical behavior, I still appreciate much of what they espouse — especially the aspect of how the children of offenders are affected; that’s tough. And yes, the Intramuralist is a strong supporter of mercy, forgiveness, and of second, third, even fourth chances. But there exists another aspect the Intramuralist supports — and it’s the omission of that aspect from the celebrities’ printed passion that prompts this observer to pause…
Where is the acknowledgement of the value of consequence?
Hear me out on this, friends. It’s not that I believe we are apt avengers of justice nor that people always need to be rebuked and punished; mercy triumphs over judgment. However, I do not believe that punishment and judgment can be equated with consequence. The reality is that negative consequences are often life’s most effective teacher. We don’t like them; they don’t “feel good.” My challenge, therefore, with the letter from those with louder voices is in their blatant omission that consequences — in this case, synonymous with incarceration — deter bad behavior. The possibility of going to prison serves as a behavioral deterrent.
Too often persons base beliefs on process, policy, and behavior because of what makes them “feel good.” Allow me to suggest that “feeling good” and acting wisely are two totally different things.
I’m reminded of one particularly poignant example from years ago. Remember Karla Faye Tucker…
Attempting to steal a motorcycle after a weekend of rampant drug use, at age 23 Karla Faye Tucker utilized a pickaxe in the murder of 2 persons. There was no immediate remorse, and Tucker’s own account was unspeakably gruesome. While incarcerated, no less, Tucker became involved with a prison ministry program in which she began to diligently study the Bible. In pursuit then of a loving, holy, and just God,Tucker’s repentance and need for redemption became increasingly clear. “Before I knew it, I was in the middle of my cell floor on my knees. I was just asking God to forgive me.”
Tucker’s life changed. In fact, her warden testified that she had been a model prisoner, and after 14 years on death row, he believed she had been reformed. There was only one problem: she remained inmate #777 on Texas’s Death Row.
Even though few doubted her changed heart, a consequence remained in effect for Tucker’s previous behavior. Was that appropriate? Should the consequence have remained in effect? Do consequences have purpose? Great questions. Tough questions. And questions that must be asked regardless of how difficult to answer…. even if the omission “feels good.”
Respectfully,
AR
(Editorial note: while Tucker legally appealed her death sentence, she also told CNN’s Larry King that “I deserved a big punishment.” She did not believe in capital punishment, abortion, nor euthanasia. She did agree that “a very serious sentence” was necessary. After her final appeals for clemency were either ignored or denied, Karla Faye Tucker was executed by lethal injection on February 3, 1998.)