Community Book Club Responses from Prisoners

Dear Mr. Ronald Cotton and Mrs. Jennifer Thompson-Canino, I am writing you in regards to your memoir, Picking Cotton, a story that has truly changed my life…Rape has affected my life since I was nine years old, when I became the victim of a disgusting and ruthless attack. I stayed quiet about what had happened to me for so long, because I was not able to fully understand and process what had was done to me at the time. All I knew was that the body that was considered to be mine, was no longer actually mine…Reading your story and seeing how you were able to turn something so morbid and horrible that was having such a negative effect on your life into something that could be used to help others and that eventually shaped you into the person you are today left me feeling incredibly motivated to continue and eventually complete my trauma treatment and no longer letting this monster rule over my life. Mrs Thompson -Cannino, I can not thank you enough for sharing your story in this way, because with it, I am able to finally begin to heal.As for you, Mr. Cotton, it took me a very long time to properly formulate the words that would be able to fully express what your story did for me…Mr. Cotton, you have become a role model to me. Throughout your time being incarcerated you never gave up on yourself and never stopped fighting for yourself. It has always been so easy for me to just throw in the towel and not only give up on myself but to stop fighting for what I know and believe in after I get turned away and knocked down by others, your story instilled the lesson in me that no matter how many times it seems like you will never make it or no matter how many people turn their backs on you, you can never stop being true to yourself. This is a lesson that my parents and many teachers throughout the years have tried to hard to teach me and many others, but for some reason did not fully hit me and sink in until reading your story.You, along with Mrs. Thompson - Cannino, also made me see the value in forgiveness, and how healing it can be. The fact that you were able to forgive all the people that ever fought against you and left you in prison for all those years was simply astounding and seemed heroic to me. I realized that for one to be completely freed from the past and all that they have gone through, they have to believe in the power of forgiveness, and allow that to help them move forward. A lesson that I now realize, I desperately needed to learn. Mr. Cotton and Mrs. Thompson -Cannino, both of your outlooks on what had happened to you in the past and ability to graciously move past it has made me look at the both of you with the utmost respect. Your story is one that I will carry with me forever.

"I thank you for sharing (I Am Troy Davis) with me. And I thank you for writing something that I can imagine was almost too painful, too horrific to bear.May it fuel the anti-death penalty movement, and make it more powerful than they are today!"--Mumia Abu Jamal, formerly on death row in PA, now serving a life sentence without parole.

"I Am Troy Davis" tempts anyone who’s a decent human being in possession of a conscience to enter the struggle on behalf of their fellow human beings. If we don’t stand for others, there’ll be no one left to stand for us, on the day injustice knocks on our door."-David Davis, serving a life sentence without parole in TX.

"I picked up my pencil, pen, paints, an illustration board and books and began creating... The idea of unity kept dancing through my mind and while going back and forth from jazz to classical music I, in turn, let my paint brush dance across the canvas. I glanced over at the book and quickly read the quotes on the cover and first few pages from well-known people in the social justice struggle... Sister Helen Prejean, Maya Angelou, Cornel West, Amy Goodman, Susan Sarandon, Eve Ensler, Gloria Steinem... Unity, unity, unity..."--Rob Will, death row in TX.

"Troy Davis is surely a must-read, it makes you hopeful, devastated, and then inspired all at the same time. It inspired me to find the strength within to write you. The fight against the death penalty must continue. I’m no longer on death row physically, but spiritually and mentally I am and I have to continue to share our stories, letting our voices be heard fighting this broken system to put an end to the state murders! I am a living witness and the fight continues because I Am Troy Davis. I’ve walked in a pair of those shoes and I pray that I can be of hope, motivation and inspiration to others as well as being empowered and impactful with putting an end to the death penalty and other injustices within and outside the justice system."--Tim McKinney, formerly on death row in TN.

From: Shawnna Subject: Awesomeness Jennifer,

I am at the Bertino Forensic Science conference. I am just letting you know that everyone was just floored that I got to talk to you and they were extremely excited to read your book and I have had lots of questions about you and thepeople you have helped and how wonderful you were with my children. I just wanted to emphasize again to you what a life changing moment it was for me as a teacher and for my students. Also, that I am spreading the word about the good work you and Ronald do and how important it is to NOT be scared to approach the topic of rape and witness ID with students. You CAN do it. You CAN be appropriate, respectful and make it a meaningful experience for your learners. Thank you once again for all that you did for me and my students.You really changed my life. Love and best wishes always,

Shawnna

“At the [Center on Wrongful Convictions], 28 interns read I Am Troy Davis . . . They felt that the book dealt with the problems of the death penalty, while making it very personal through the interaction with Troy’s family. It was truly a well-written, engrossing book and I was glad we had the opportunity to read and discuss it.”Dolores KennedyNorthwestern University School of LawCenter on Wrongful Convictions

*****

Every American should read this book. Jen Marlowe brought such humanity to this painful and inspiring story. She achieves visceral emotion without sentimentality or manipulation, but simply by ensuring that the reader connects deeply to each player in the events.

I AM TROY DAVIS is not only a tribute to the incredible resilience and commitment of Troy, Martina, De'Jaun, the entire Davis family and the lawyers and activists supporting this case, it is an opportunity to bring Troy's wish to life: that his story doesn't end with his execution, but continues through a new generation of activists' unwavering commitment to ending the death penalty.

When I finished reading the last page, the first thing I did was send a copy to my family. -Jessica

Dear Jennifer, I haven’t had any support or anyone to talk to and compare notes with about how to get through a sexual assault so everything that you said was so extremely helpful for me in ways that I know you can truly understand. And you taking the time to let me come with you so it could be treated seriously is a gift that I wont forget… Also I just wanted to thank Ronald for saying it was ok for me to cry and to let it out as I came to talk while you signed my book. I tend to have to hold things pretty close to my chest and having that kind of permission is not something I am given often. So if you could please let him know that his words made a very big impact for me. The very last thing I wanted to say is that you looked into my eyes as I cried and told me I was a child of God and that as such I am perfection. I have been trying to keep mindful of those words. There are so often times I feel like I am broken, ugly and unlovable for what was done to me. I cannot remember those words at times but I can remember your eyes and then I am able to conjure a maternal comforting that tells me "you will be ok". I know I have rambled on a bit but I really just wanted to let you know how grateful I am for everything that you said and did for me is so appreciated, I am so grateful for and something kind and generous that I will hold close to myheart. Sincerest gratitude,Susan

This is a story of Troy Davis, who was legally killed by the state of Georgia in September 2011, and of the heartwrenching struggle by devoted family and friends to save his life.

But it's not just the story of one man. It sheds light on one of the most barbaric practices occurring today in a supposedly enlightened and compassionate country...something called, innocuously enough, the Death Penalty.

Troy Davis entered my life several years ago, when I read an article written by his beloved sister. It evoked so many questions, about a subject of which I knew nothing at the time...could the U.S. really execute an innocent person?! It was as if something exploded inside me, and I was unable to get it off my mind for days afterward. Finally, I decided to write this man who was imprisoned in some place called Death Row. As an English major, I thought I would do this one small act of kindness and that would be it...good deed for the day.

Within 5 days I received a letter back from Troy. Everything about this event was new, and a little scary...beginning with the envelope telling me that I was opening a letter from a correctional institution stamped in red letters, the return address identifying the sender by a 6-digit number, to the feeling I had as I read the letter. All I could think, as my insides began to expand(and my breath to I think), was that here was a man, a human being, who wrote a letter like any friend, inquiring about my family and expressing much gratitude for my letter.

Ultimately, Troy and I corresponded for 5 years, during which time I began to learn the complex, inhumane and often corrupt intricacies of what I'd known as the 'justice system.' I had just always assumed that the law did it's thing and did it properly. I was drawn down a path that would become a life's journey and mission, along the way meeting the most inspiring people I could ever imagine and who now are my true soulmates.

This book, written so lovingly by Troy's devoted Sister and Family Friend, may open your eyes and it may break your heart, but it will ultimately leave you a more humane being in a world where humanity, forgiveness, tolerance and justice are often rare, and where EVERY life has value.

Subject: Thank you for changing my life. Dear Jennifer, Ronald, and Erin,My name is Hannah and I am 15 years old….the book you wrote is the most fabulous book I have ever read. It changed my life.I've been bullied, cyberbullied, mocked, and made fun of majority of my life. I went to a school that I loved from kindergarten to 8th grade, but I have aphysical disability that sets me apart from the rest. I walk differently with a really "awkward" gait and I'm not able to run that fast or run the mile in 5 minutes…I had already fallen apart and lost part of myself when my "best friend" began tormenting me. Maybe it was because I never realized how manipulative he was, but to this day I am still angry. Then a few weeks after I had gotten the most disturbing message sent about me over the Internet. I was crushed inside, it was like a light switched off in my body…as I was reading the book, I started to tear up. I remembered the hardship and struggles that Ronald had to encounter and how he forgave Jennifer and that inspires me to this day. How the heck did you do that Ronald? I am so envious of your ability to forgive like that. I look at my past and feel so ashamed that I can't forgive a stupid boy for being really dumb because Ronald was able to forgive someone who took away 11 years of his life. A few weeks after I read the book, this light switch turned back on… Ronald, Jennifer, and Erin, you have changed my life in a way that I would never expect from picking up a book. I am speechless. You are extraordinary people who I am sure have changed the lives of many other people besides me. You are all so amazing and I hope you never-ever forget that. Ron- I don't know what you are sick with but I just wanted to say that you have gone to literally hell and back and I know to overcome the things that you did, youcan recover from anything. I wasn't supposed to walk but I proved them wrong. I was the captain of my basketball team 2 years ago. I know how it feels to overcome odds and damn does it feel good! Hannah

I’d like to thank the Davis family for allowing us a glimpse into the nightmare that was their lives for 22 years. I’d also like to thank Jen Marlowe for seeing this project through until the end. I cannot imagine what it was like for her to become a part of the Davis’ lives, beginning this project with Martina and Troy, and having to finish it alone. I couldn’t fathom what it was like for the Davis’ fighting for Troy’s life; hoping that the system that has sworn to protect their citizens, would protect Troy. While reading this book, I shared some of the sentiments held by some of the Savannah residents affected by this case. Although we are supposed to believe that the law is designed to protect us, the acts committed against minorities prove otherwise.

I am angry. Not only for what happened to Troy, but what has happened to other victims of our unjust system. I am angry that the callousness for human life has victimized not only those who have died at the hands of our system, but the families and friends who will never get another glimpse of their loved one, a kiss, a hug, nor another moment. I am afraid that something like this could happen to someone I love or even me. I am saddened to know that there are children who will grow up and very well likely be another casualty. But I am also proud; proud that through it all, this family stuck together and have brought attention to this cause like no other movement before it. I am proud that instead of becoming bitter, the Davis family chose love and that love was exemplary in their activism

-Alicia

Subject: life changing Dear Jennifer, I am writing to you today to tell you that your story has changed my life and I want to thank you for that. First of all, I want to say how sorry I am for you to haveto go through such a horrible attack. I happened to be watching CTN, our government channel in Connecticut and started listening to your story unaware exactly what had happened in your life. To be honest when I heard you tell what happened I thought that, wow she really needs to let it go, live life and put behind her. I still was so interested in your story and listened intently but when you came to the part that the rapist you had identified was not your attacker, I was stunned and cried. You speak with such passion but also a calmness that really made me think. See I am also a survivor of a kidnapping, assault and attempted murder in 1983. I also escaped but I was in a motor vehicle at the time of my beating. My rule in life was to forget, move on and never mention it again... When I heard you tell your story something clicked and turned on in my brain! I had repressed all these terrible feelings and wondered why all these years I never looked at it that it was a second chance at life yet didn't appreciate it or anything.,, Maybe someday I can tell my story again if it can help one person. I know that was not what your speech was based upon, but I wanted to let you know you made me think and woke up all those past feelings, I need to live life to the fullest with the second chance God gave me. Thank you, thank you, thank you!