The Groveland Four's Legacy
Justice Denied (Please read aloud)56 total reviews
Comment from WalkerMan
To say this tragic story is a national shame cannot ever compensate the four innocent victims and their survivors for the crimes perpetrated against them under cover of the "Jim Crow" laws then making a travesty of justice in the states which supported them.
The January 11, 2019, posthumous pardon and related official apologies, though well justified, were inexcusably long overdue.
Bigoted Sheriff Willis V. McCall led the posse that fired four hundred bullets into Earnest Thomas when they found him sleeping under a tree after he fled arrest in 1949, later murdered Samuel Shepherd and tried to kill Walter Irvin while transporting the two World War II veterans to a retrial in 1951 ordered by the Supreme Court. He died in 1994 without ever atoning or paying in any way for his crimes against them and others.
Charles Greenlee, age sixteen at the time, did not even know the other three, but was lumped in with them to bring the total accused to four, to match false accuser Norma Padgett's claim four black men had raped her.
At the trial, the prosecution did not question Dr. Geoffrey, the physician who had examined Norma Padgett, and Judge Truman Futch did not permit the defense to call him as a witness. In fact, Dr. Geoffrey found bruises but no signs of sexual activity (whether forced or not) on or in Padgett's body. Her neighbors kept to themselves their belief that her accusation of rape was actually to cover up the truth that her husband was beating her. Yet, despite the recent exoneration of the four, she, now age 86, still maintains her accusation, even though the young men had no idea who she was until first seeing her at their 1949 trial.
Sadly, while the laws have improved since those dark days, the mentality responsible for such atrocities persists even today. The Leftists who (a) insisted on maintaining slavery when our nation was founded, who (b) demanded secession from the Union in the 1860s to keep slavery, who (c) waged the Civil War to maintain that secession, who (d) formed the Ku Klux Klan to bully the former slaves Lincoln emancipated, who (e) wrote and passed the "Jim Crow" laws, who (f) instituted segregation until President Eisenhower sent troops to stop it in 1957, and who (g) to this day falsely blame Republicans and Conservatives to distract attention from their own sins, will continue promoting the brainless hatred which fosters such atrocious injustice until they (the Leftists) are firmly resisted, strongly rebuked, and decisively defeated at the ballot box -- before they succeed in rendering elections meaningless, which apparently is their long-term goal (thus making us ALL permanent slaves to their tyranny).
Yes, we MUST unite in recognition that ALL life matters.
Your well-composed and finely rhymed poem is both timely and important, as you cover the key points of this atrocity effectively. Thank you for your detailed notes and the links which I used as a starting point for further research before reviewing. Superb, and aptly illustrated.
reply by the author on 18-Jan-2019
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To say this tragic story is a national shame cannot ever compensate the four innocent victims and their survivors for the crimes perpetrated against them under cover of the "Jim Crow" laws then making a travesty of justice in the states which supported them.
The January 11, 2019, posthumous pardon and related official apologies, though well justified, were inexcusably long overdue.
Bigoted Sheriff Willis V. McCall led the posse that fired four hundred bullets into Earnest Thomas when they found him sleeping under a tree after he fled arrest in 1949, later murdered Samuel Shepherd and tried to kill Walter Irvin while transporting the two World War II veterans to a retrial in 1951 ordered by the Supreme Court. He died in 1994 without ever atoning or paying in any way for his crimes against them and others.
Charles Greenlee, age sixteen at the time, did not even know the other three, but was lumped in with them to bring the total accused to four, to match false accuser Norma Padgett's claim four black men had raped her.
At the trial, the prosecution did not question Dr. Geoffrey, the physician who had examined Norma Padgett, and Judge Truman Futch did not permit the defense to call him as a witness. In fact, Dr. Geoffrey found bruises but no signs of sexual activity (whether forced or not) on or in Padgett's body. Her neighbors kept to themselves their belief that her accusation of rape was actually to cover up the truth that her husband was beating her. Yet, despite the recent exoneration of the four, she, now age 86, still maintains her accusation, even though the young men had no idea who she was until first seeing her at their 1949 trial.
Sadly, while the laws have improved since those dark days, the mentality responsible for such atrocities persists even today. The Leftists who (a) insisted on maintaining slavery when our nation was founded, who (b) demanded secession from the Union in the 1860s to keep slavery, who (c) waged the Civil War to maintain that secession, who (d) formed the Ku Klux Klan to bully the former slaves Lincoln emancipated, who (e) wrote and passed the "Jim Crow" laws, who (f) instituted segregation until President Eisenhower sent troops to stop it in 1957, and who (g) to this day falsely blame Republicans and Conservatives to distract attention from their own sins, will continue promoting the brainless hatred which fosters such atrocious injustice until they (the Leftists) are firmly resisted, strongly rebuked, and decisively defeated at the ballot box -- before they succeed in rendering elections meaningless, which apparently is their long-term goal (thus making us ALL permanent slaves to their tyranny).
Yes, we MUST unite in recognition that ALL life matters.
Your well-composed and finely rhymed poem is both timely and important, as you cover the key points of this atrocity effectively. Thank you for your detailed notes and the links which I used as a starting point for further research before reviewing. Superb, and aptly illustrated.
Comment Written 18-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 18-Jan-2019
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Happy New Year, Friend!
I had so hoped that you would stop by and read this offering!
As a sociology teacher for many years, this travesty of justice was one that I shared with my students through the years. I felt physically ill when I read on January 11, 2019, that Norma Padgett, at age 86, still maintained that she had been raped by these four individuals - appearing with her sons to oppose the Groveland Four's pardon when even newly resurrected evidence pointed to abuse by her husband at the time...Reprehensible is the only word I can use to describe this entire depraved fiasco...
Seventy years, Mike... Seventy years...
Thank you for your exceptional rating and thorough and thoughtful review...
diane
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You are most welcome, Diane. Though there have been many (too many) such atrocious miscarriages of justice over the years, the details of this case are the worst I have ever encountered. It is fortunate that two of the four ultimately died as free men; but what was lost in the lives of these four, framed for a crime that did not even occur, is gone forever. Their survivors ought to sue Norma Pagett for the effects of her false accusation; but likely she has little to seize, even if they win. I see absolutely NO indication that either the state of Florida or the local municipality involved is offering anything more than apology. It is a tribute to the character of the survivors that they forgive those responsible, as retaining anger would only harm their own health and ability to move on.
Though it hurts to read these accounts, doing so is just as important as remembering the Holocaust, lest an ignorant public someday be duped into allowing such horrors to recur. -- Mike
Comment from called2rite
Brutally raw emotions. Excellent write. I hate injustices of any color. I watched a true injustice last night that happened to a white victim, involving a white murderer. Injustice is wrong.
reply by the author on 18-Jan-2019
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Brutally raw emotions. Excellent write. I hate injustices of any color. I watched a true injustice last night that happened to a white victim, involving a white murderer. Injustice is wrong.
Comment Written 18-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 18-Jan-2019
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Hello called2rite!
I am honored by your exceptional rating and thoughtful review!
So pleased my words resonated with you...as raw as they needed to be...
Much appreciated! Please stop by again!
diane
Comment from KyColonel Randal
Thank you for sharing. Robert Frost once said "Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words." It would seem to me this continues to ring true. This is a sobering story. Interesting that I was thinking on the way to work how to incorporate the word and theme of "injustice" into a poem. Well done.
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Thank you for sharing. Robert Frost once said "Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words." It would seem to me this continues to ring true. This is a sobering story. Interesting that I was thinking on the way to work how to incorporate the word and theme of "injustice" into a poem. Well done.
Comment Written 18-Jan-2019
Comment from angel123
I enjoyed reading your historical poem. It is well written, sad and meaningful. It flows with the truth and good alliteration of, f, w, l, s, and b letters and sounds. The artwork choice enhances your message and thanks for providing your author notes. Best wishes!
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I enjoyed reading your historical poem. It is well written, sad and meaningful. It flows with the truth and good alliteration of, f, w, l, s, and b letters and sounds. The artwork choice enhances your message and thanks for providing your author notes. Best wishes!
Comment Written 18-Jan-2019
Comment from LIJ Red
There was recently a stink about people convicted by hair evidence, which now is known to be less than useful...how soon will they disavow DNA as well? Perhaps the endless appeals prisoners now get are worthwhile...yes, your Amphion grew. Excellent story poem.
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There was recently a stink about people convicted by hair evidence, which now is known to be less than useful...how soon will they disavow DNA as well? Perhaps the endless appeals prisoners now get are worthwhile...yes, your Amphion grew. Excellent story poem.
Comment Written 17-Jan-2019
Comment from Janice Canerdy
This is very well-written and rousing. I'm from the South and feel
the shame of such events, which were widespread throughout the
South during those times. We've come a long way--have a LONG way to go!
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This is very well-written and rousing. I'm from the South and feel
the shame of such events, which were widespread throughout the
South during those times. We've come a long way--have a LONG way to go!
Comment Written 17-Jan-2019
Comment from kahpot
Yes all life does matter, and those times, unfortunately, do not reflect this, a good film on these injustices (true story) " The Hurricane" a Blackman who had a shot at the world boxing title, this is an excellent read, story, and poem, very well penned, best wishes for your contest****kahpot
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Yes all life does matter, and those times, unfortunately, do not reflect this, a good film on these injustices (true story) " The Hurricane" a Blackman who had a shot at the world boxing title, this is an excellent read, story, and poem, very well penned, best wishes for your contest****kahpot
Comment Written 17-Jan-2019
Comment from Blue Hendrix
Wonderfully penned and very true through the eyes of history and through the eyes of today's society your poem paints a vivid picture of the struggles these men went through and how they were wronged. Very heartfelt emotional and it flowed effortlessly. Great job!
reply by the author on 17-Jan-2019
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Wonderfully penned and very true through the eyes of history and through the eyes of today's society your poem paints a vivid picture of the struggles these men went through and how they were wronged. Very heartfelt emotional and it flowed effortlessly. Great job!
Comment Written 17-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 17-Jan-2019
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Hello Blue!
I am deeply honored by your exceptional rating and thoughtful review.
So pleased my words resonated with you!
Much appreciated!
Thank you!
diane
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You are so very welcome!
Comment from Gert sherwood
Hello Mrs. KT
I didn't need to read your 10 line Amphion
poem aloud, with its rhyme and how you told of the injustice that the four Groveland teenage black boys of what happened to them was a tragedy and not fair. Gert
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Hello Mrs. KT
I didn't need to read your 10 line Amphion
poem aloud, with its rhyme and how you told of the injustice that the four Groveland teenage black boys of what happened to them was a tragedy and not fair. Gert
Comment Written 17-Jan-2019
Comment from TPAC
Great shout out. I know nothing has change, hits by evil having no color just sin or ill will, rejecting all assembled as family. Brethren who feel poking someone in the eye is godly. All in my opinion.
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Great shout out. I know nothing has change, hits by evil having no color just sin or ill will, rejecting all assembled as family. Brethren who feel poking someone in the eye is godly. All in my opinion.
Comment Written 17-Jan-2019
