I am against the death penalty, no matter how serious the crime, because it is murder. Everyone knows that killing someone is murder and, in fact, that is often the punishment for the same crime that was committed in the first place. The executioners are committing just as bad a crime as the criminal had committed.As well as violating natural laws and the law of most major religions, the death penalty also violates human rights as written in many national and international legal documents, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.I am upset that the United States has not followed the lead of other countries. America is a world power, but it is not setting a good example. Many other countries have abolished the death penalty, but America has reintroduced it and remains in a small group, mainly of undeveloped countries, that still exact the death penalty.How can the death penalty teach anyone a lesson? The person is dead. You are giving them death, so does that achieve anything more than a life sentence in jail? No. With a life sentence he/she may learn their lesson. With the death penalty he/she is dead, not able to learn anything.Furthermore, the application of the death penalty in the United States remains inconsistent. Statistics clearly show that the penalty is more likely to be called for if the victim is white, or the criminal is black. This is racial discrimination, a human rights violation.The death penalty also sometimes kills innocent people, the mentally ill or people not informed of their rights. Wrongful convictions sometimes occur when the defendant cannot afford a good lawyer. There have even been cases where the defense lawyer (appointed by the court) was drunk or asleep! And how can you condemn someone for murder if they never even knew they were doing it? One man was allowed a last meal before his execution. He didn't eat all of it, saying that he would save some for later. He didn't realize there would be no later. Hearing this story made me feel much more strongly about the death penalty. Some people may not know their rights because they were not informed or did not understand the language or even know they could have a translator. They might not know they can choose a lawyer or know they can plead not guilty.Some people say it is an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. But that is like a 3-year-old saying he pushed his friend because his friend pushed him. Some people say it is punishment, but it is murder. Some people say it keeps criminals out of the world, but so does a life sentence. Some people say it discourages other criminals, but statistics do not support this. Maybe they fear life being in jail as much. For everything that people in favor of the death penalty argue, there is an answer. Alternatives to the death penalty always work out better. People CAN turn their lives around.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alexander Worsnip won First Place in our Special Summer Young Authors Competition for his essay "Why I Am Against the Death Penalty." He lived in Arlington, Virginia, for four years, and recently moved back to London, England, where he was born. He enjoys writing, playing the violin, ballet, and singing. He began writing in kindergarten, and since then he has taken several writing classes and written in his spare time. He especially enjoys essays and persuasive writing in order to express his own ideas and opinions. He is almost 11 years old, and hopes to continue writing for publication.
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EDITOR'S COMMENTS
Highlights:
This young author took on a challenging subject, one that finds fierce debate among
people of all ages. He presented his argument with both his personal opinion and with facts he had researched. He looked at the subject from several standpoints and offered possible other solutions. Overall, Alexander wrote a thorough and persuasive argument in tackling this difficult subject. Good job, Alexander!
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READER COMMENTS
Comments from a reader in Illinois:
"I think this essay is wonderful, and I totally support the views of this author. I feel the same way. It's murder. Don't people get that. If the person is dead, they can't learn a lesson. Furthermore, innocent people are dying because of wrongful convictions. Once again, I totally support this essay."
--Chelsea
Comments from a reader in Germany:
"Alexander is a very wise young man who stated in a simple way an absolute truth; the death penalty is murder. It has taken me many years and much soul searching to realize what a ten-year-old already understands. I wish him well in the pursuit of his dreams because in the future we will need more men like Alexander!"
--Denise Banks-Sias
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