It is often stated that I am brave due to my fight. I do not think that is the proper classification for myself. I do have a great deal of courage and determination. My level of self preservation is out of this world! :) That is simply because I want to live! Dying isn’t an option I am willing to accept. Though due to my situation it is expected for me to want to fight to live.

When people hear of the energy I pour in to my campaign it should have no real shock value. However, when compared to others on death row, I do stand out. Several factors are attributed to this. Not all death row inmates are innocent, so a guilty conscious plays a role. Others aren’t as educated or have the same level of confidence in themselves. This hinders an ability to formulate an adequate success plan. So many inmates are simply guilty or lack the ability to resist. This involves a lack of courage. They choose to immerse themselves in sports or other matters to divert their attention from the matter at hand, which is an impending death. It is often not until an inmate gets a date of execution that they start to get involved in their case. It suddenly becomes reality. They panic. As they drown, they grasp for straws & fight back out of desperation.

Those in my struggle that are truly brave are those that stand by me in the struggle. More so the women who dedicate so much of their time & energy to help save my life. It requires bravery on their part as they face an onslaught of opposition from society, even at time, family and friends. They face attacks on their intelligence & even their mental capacity. They as well endure stereotypes. Such stereotypes are that they are insecure abuse victims whom lock themselves up to avoid being hurt by developing a relationship with an inmate. “He is locked up & can’t hurt her, thus us a ‘safe’ relationship.” Though the reality is that not every women that writes is trying to get in a relationship. One just has to look at history to see that women have always been involved in the abolitionist movements. The driving force against slavery was women. In public forums they would be shouted down & even at times attached by crowds. As since they were women their voice did not carry the weight that a man’s voice did. In t he 19th century women had no right to vote as well lacked many other rights they have today. (Which is what makes me laugh when a women that adheres to a far right political view screams about the United States constitution in its original form. I want to tell them “Ya damn fool, you wouldn’t be ALLOWED to speak out, vote, hold office, own property & such if the constitution was in its original form!”) Even the press attached women that spoke out. This lead to the women’s rights movement.

So history shows us that women have a long line of examples of speaking out against injustice. When the women’s rights movement started they even created their own declaration of independence that was a play on the US declaration of independence. By the pillars of history we learn that women involved in the abolition movement is nothing abnormal at all. The line that, can be drawn, when it comes to relationships. Though there is exceptions to every rule. Just as society spoke out against women in the 19th century, they face the same opposition today in the struggle for justice.

Now it is true that one can not compare a person bound or oppressed due to their gender or ethnicity with a criminal that makes a choice to inflict pain & suffering on another. I read the writing of many death row inmates where they try to draw a parallel with the Jews at Auschwitz and/or slavery as means of generating an image of suffering on a grand scale. I believe this is a false image and only an attempt to paint themselves as a victim. To do so is to disrespect those that suffered, not for the choice they made, but merely for who they are. (Now it can be said that prisoners take on a role as a concentration camp. However the inmate can not be compared to the persecuted Jew. To do so is baseless & downright tasteless!!) Regardless of the act taken by a person, the state has a responsibility to act according to an established law. This country is governed by the rule of law, not the law of rule. Therefore the acts of the criminal do not excuse the illegal acts of the state. This is when the injustice co mes into play. To do so only makes criminals of us all.

There is an unfairness in the system that requires society to speak out to correct. Without the checks and balances the system becomes corrupt & innocent people end up executed. Most of society turn a blind eye to the justice system as they are uneducated to the reality of it & or fear the person labeled a criminal. This ignorance & fear is what leads to them lashing out against those that speak out in the name of justice & abolition of the death penalty. So it takes a brave person to be able to stand up for what they believe in against the wave of criticism.

Another element is culture. Even today women still do not get equal pay as men. In 2009 Obama had to sign into law the Lilly Ledbetter act which promises equal pay for equal work. There is an ever growing trend that is painting women as sexual objects. Sadly, many women facilitate this by putting more emphasis on body instead of mind. So the women in the struggle go against a cultural wave of excess & materialism. More so the youth. This is why I say the true brave ones are the women in the struggle.

Once of the beautiful elements of the feminine nature is the desire to reach out and help others. This is why I am truly grateful for the women in my life that are the driving force behind my campaign. I resent to belief that all women, in the justice movement, are like the few that act like some hens in a chicken house, clacking on forums & chat lines as if they are experts in everything just so they can bring some perceived form of importance to their life. As it is NOT true at all.

Due to the adversity in my life, it has caused me to be able to only truly feel comfortable around women. Though I still put up walls. It is for these reasons & the nature of adversity that the women in my life face, that I wanted to truly thank them for being determined & brave enough to face the challenge head on. Also for the time & energy that they dedicate to saving my life, at the expense of their own daily lives. Even though I do not always show it, I truly appreciate the courage & bravery that you all exhibit in standing up for what is right. You came, you saw & with time you will conquer.

In Solidarity

Veni, Vidi, Vici!

www.saveaninnocentlife.com

Clinton Lee Young
#999447
Polunsky Unit
3872 FM 350 South
Livingston, Texas, 77351

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