Reflections on Guilt and Justice: A Personal Journey
Written on
Chapter 1: The Echo of Guilt
The past can surface in unexpected ways, often triggered by simple moments.
“GUILTY!” My mother shouted from the front door while I was busy planting a pair of Muhly Grasses near the entrance.
This unexpected call made me pause, as I found myself swept back to memories of the accused.
“Just keep planting,” I reassured myself.
Having faced numerous violent charges, my sense of justice felt more about the innocent individuals I knew rather than my own situation. All of them were black.
I can't help but think of the young black boys who were threatened with a lethal injection for crimes they never committed. Was the death penalty even a reality in New York at that time? I can't recall.
But I can imagine those boys had no clue either, especially since many were eventually exonerated.
My friend Julian was also wrongfully accused; he received a life sentence plus sixty-five years at just fifteen years old, yet he remained unbroken. By the time I met him in prison, he had stood up for me on numerous occasions.
Julian spent around 22 years behind bars. Together, we worked diligently on his case for the parole board, funding a lawyer with the money we made selling contraband at Nottoway Correctional Center.
I held a deep affection for Julian. He was the one who gave me my first haircut in prison, gently wiping away my tears as he did so. When he was released just fifteen days after I was, he came to see me right away, cutting my hair again and comforting me once more.
Unfortunately, we lost touch after that; the memories were too painful, and I felt like I was trying to reconcile my past while pushing forward. I regret this more than I can express.
A decade ago, Julian tragically died in a motorcycle accident. I occasionally checked his Facebook page, but after a long time, there it was—his absence still felt profoundly.
Julian had been free for about 15 years. He often comes to mind on days when I witness even a small semblance of justice being served.
He was a casualty of a flawed system, yet he carried himself with an admirable sense of pride and humility that is hard to fathom.
Today’s accused is merely another case of negligence in our justice system.
Posted on Facebook by Henry Romel Guy and reposted here with minor edits and with his permission.
Section 1.1: The Impact of Guilt
Guilt can manifest in various ways, often linked to our relationships and experiences.
The first video, I'm Feeling Guilty After Yelling at My Child: Here's Why You Can Let Go of Shame, delves into the emotional turmoil parents face after losing their tempers. It offers insights on how to release feelings of shame and embrace forgiveness.
Section 1.2: The Strain of Parental Guilt
Addressing the emotional burden of parenting can be a daunting task.
In the second video, Do you feel guilty about "damaging" your kids, after yelling at them? (E83) - YouTube, experts discuss the pervasive guilt parents often feel and how it can affect their relationships with their children.
Chapter 2: Remembering Julian
As I reflect on Julian’s life, I am reminded of the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.