Mississippi Innocence Project

Today Tucker Carrington came and spoke to us about the Innocence Project. Even though he only spoke for about an hour, it was a life-changing hour. I've known I wanted to be a lawyer since the 7th grade but I haven't quite figured out what I want to do. I admire the work that Tucker does and find him a truly inspiring person. I mean, who cares about the rights of a bunch of lowlife people who have committed some of the most heinous crimes in this country? But Tucker has reminded me that we are all innocent until proven guilty and should be treated as such. Kennedy Brewer and Levon Brooks were convicted of brutal rapes and murders. Since it already seemed like they were guilty, they were denied proper due process (convicted based on a bogus expert testimony).

From sitting in the presentation listening to Tucker speak, I know I want to be involved in something similar to the Innocence Project (if not to exonerate innocent people then to draw attention to the issue of unequal protection under the law and the failure of equal due process). We desperately need equality in this country, especially in the state of Mississippi as national problems are magnified here; equality in education, job opportunities, and especially under the law.

I left the presentation room with just one question: What can college students such as myself, do to help alert the nation to the collective failure of government officials to provide equal due process to ALL its citizens?