Deathwatching

Whitefeather is a Catholic Worker house in North Portland, Oregon. It is named for a peace activist and friend of current leader of house activities, Tom Hastings. Last night I was invited to come and share my work on the death penalty.

I arrived to the sound of chatter and the clinking of glasses and the clatter of silverware just in time for the vegetarian potluck. Central to the fare was vegetarian pizza in honour of Philip Workman’s last wish and many of the people at the evening were people living in single resident occupancy accommodation, or others who have had the experience of homelessness even if they are not now. After we were satisfied with the fresh fruits and delicious breads on offer we sat in the large parlour and I asked each person to introduce him or herself and tell me why they had come.

Many were interested in how a Christian witness could be reconciled with support of the death penalty, others were interested in prison conditions and the incidence of suicide, some wondered about international views of the US, others asked about the impact on offenders families and the families of victims, mental illness was mentioned, there were questions about the movement in Oregon, deterrence and realistic alternatives. Many simply said they had come to learn.

The talk ranged over all these subjects and more. How refreshing it was to be in a room full of people who like me find the death penalty unacceptable. And yet, one young man apparently confided in his mother afterwards that I was a great Devil’s advocate and it was hard to discern what I really think.

Although it was not my intention to be ambiguous about my own beliefs I did intentionally advocate for careful listening and respect of those who hold different beliefs. At one point I asked people to call out reasons why people support the death penalty. With the utmost respect people gave many of the reasons students and others I have met who do support the death penalty have given for their opinion.

These ideas included:
Protection of society and potential victims from further violence
Deterrence of crime
Cost of life in prison
Closure for victims
Culture
Upholding the moral order
Justice
Holding the perpetrator accountable
Hammurabi Law
The power of example
Revenge
Spectacle

I was able to show that apart from the last four, we would all be in sympathy with the other objectives if not of the means of meeting them. And that this gave us a lot of common ground.

We talked on into the candlelight and then into the darkness. Some people left, others stayed and chatted even after it was all over and we were standing in the kitchen while Tom and Rhoda our hosts washed the last few dishes.

It was a wonderful opportunity for me to explore a way of talking about listening with respect. And I was able to end by saying what I firmly believe: that people support the death penalty out of fear and pain, and that they can be loved but not hated from that position. Someone said it took two to have that conversation. I disagree. Because we come from love we come from strength and so it is for us to go the extra distance to meet and hold these people until they can step into the Light.