Suzanne Jabro at the Death Penalty Focus Awards:
The Center for Restorative Justice is proud to announce that our own Sr. Suzanne Jabro, CSJ received the Norman Felton and Denise Aubuchon Humanitarian Award at the Annual Death Penalty Focus Dinner in recognition of her heroic efforts on behalf of Restorative Justice. Grounded in deep humanitarian concern, solid social analysis and her lifelong faith, she has led efforts to end the death penalty in California and nationwide, as well as promote major policy reforms of the criminal justice system.
California Cannot Afford the Death Penalty
Suzanne Jabro, CSJ
Address to those gathered at the Death Penalty Focus Annual Dinner, April 21, 2010
Thank you so much.
Special thanks to my family, especially my four brothers. Growing up with you prepared me to feel at home ministering in maximum security prisons for men! Thank you for your childhood training.
Thanks to the staff and board of the Center for Restorative Justice Works. They told me how excited they were to be here…..but I want you all to know I overheard them talking, and their primary goal tonight is to have their picture taken with Alec Baldwin!
My heart is filled with gratitude for the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. You are amazing women. Thank you for your public witness to abolish the death penalty; thank you for your presence and support.
‣ This week I read a letter a pastor wrote to Michele Obama. He explained the Get On The Bus program, uniting children with their dads in prison for Father’s day. He shared what happened at the initial GOTB meeting with 300 men at the maximum security prison. A prisoner leaned over to a volunteer and whispered,
“See all these men here, representing all races. Never ever do we gather like this. It just never happens in prison. But today is different, today we all here because we are all dads.”
This man, and all the men were seeing something new, through new lenses. They were NOT seeing what divided them; they were seeing what united them. There is No them and Us: there is just US! The transformation for real change rooted that moment.
‣ Years ago, I participated in a delegation to San Quentin’s death chamber. Standing in the room where scores of people have been killed reduced all to silence. The air was thick, and unconsciously each person seemed to keep taking steps backward until we were against the wall. You see, when the killing distance does not exist, it is clear: This is our killing!
The PR man told us, “Here is where the victim’s witnesses, media sit, and over there the family of the executed. We offer counseling for the victims, witnesses and media.” When asked what about the family of the person killed. He shot back, “Why would we offer them counseling? That’s not our responsibility.”
We need new lenses. There is no them and us….there is just us! Society stands in need of transformation.
‣ These economic times simplify the mantra:
California, on any level for any reason, we cannot afford the death penalty!!!
Mike Farrell, thank you for gathering us each year….You are amazing grace giving us all an opportunity to clean our lenses and recommit ourselves to non-violence in a world standing in need of healing justice and peace.
Thank you.
