A LESSON BEFORE DYING…. (Earnest Gaines)

I WAS NOT THERE, yet I was there. No, I did not go to the trail, I did not hear the verdict, because I knew all the time what it would be. Still, I was there. I was there as much as anyone else was there.

“Gentlemen of the jury, look at him-look at him-look at this. Do you see a man sitting here? I ask you, I implore, look carefully-do you see a man sitting here? Look at the shape of this skull, this face as flat as the palm of my hand-look deeply into those eyes. Do you see a modicum of intelligence?

In the world, where black and white are not just two colors but the color of humiliation and superiority. No black could ever dare to bare their strength even when justice landed in the wrong chord. A black must die even though he is just a witness to the death of whites. He will not die a peaceful death but of torment and screams and of sure electrocution. It’s not an honorable death when he is described as a HOG laid to rest.

Nobody can save him so he saves himself by accepting his fate and shuns away from the life that he was so passionate for. Neither a tear nor a sweat can beat his hard decision and so writhes in his curse of being born black.
Half torn and completely broken, he awaits his doomsday with valor for his godmother. He stays strong for the fear that sweeps his scattered heart. He promises to leave the dark cell with a smile and a spit instead of tears. Tears have dried long ago when he surmises the reason for the tears that flowed from his godmother’s eyes…

 P.S...... A lesson before dying:
Understand the simple heroism if resisting- and defying- the expected.
Be strong and die with valor!