Last year there were 39 executions in the USA. All of the executions were for murder, some for multiple murders. Nearly all of the executions were in the South. Now tell me what portion of those who were executed were Hispanic, black, white?
If you have listened to the debates about the death penalty over the years, you probably guessed that the majority of those executed were black with Hispanics not too far behind. After all, we have been told for years that the death penalty is racist, that it is not applied equally, and that as a result it must be abolished. Of course, none of that is true. Roughly two thirds of those executed were white. According to the last census, whites (other than those who are Hispanic) make up roughly 63% of the American population. That means that in 2013, the death penalty was applied to whites in a slightly higher percentage than it was to Hispanics and blacks as a group.
I looked into these numbers because earlier today I read yet another column (this one on Slate) telling me that the death penalty was racist and support for it was racist. Instead of just accepting the story being peddled by the latest leftist to write on the subject, I decided to check the actual facts.
Look, there may have been a time when the death penalty was applied unfairly in parts of this country. Those days, however, are long over. The death penalty may or may not be a good idea. We ought to consider that as a nation. At the same time, however, we ought to make the decision about the death penalty based upon an honest appraisal of the true facts. The left has got to stop shouting racism at everything they don't like. They have succeeding in making charges of racism a joke. It is truly a sad thing to watch.
If you have listened to the debates about the death penalty over the years, you probably guessed that the majority of those executed were black with Hispanics not too far behind. After all, we have been told for years that the death penalty is racist, that it is not applied equally, and that as a result it must be abolished. Of course, none of that is true. Roughly two thirds of those executed were white. According to the last census, whites (other than those who are Hispanic) make up roughly 63% of the American population. That means that in 2013, the death penalty was applied to whites in a slightly higher percentage than it was to Hispanics and blacks as a group.
I looked into these numbers because earlier today I read yet another column (this one on Slate) telling me that the death penalty was racist and support for it was racist. Instead of just accepting the story being peddled by the latest leftist to write on the subject, I decided to check the actual facts.
Look, there may have been a time when the death penalty was applied unfairly in parts of this country. Those days, however, are long over. The death penalty may or may not be a good idea. We ought to consider that as a nation. At the same time, however, we ought to make the decision about the death penalty based upon an honest appraisal of the true facts. The left has got to stop shouting racism at everything they don't like. They have succeeding in making charges of racism a joke. It is truly a sad thing to watch.
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