The Groveland Four's Legacy
Justice Denied (Please read aloud)56 total reviews
Comment from meeshu
this is a powerful and important poem, Diane. I am so glad you posted this, if we cannot learn from our past, then we are hopelessly lost. thankfully, we can learn because of writing like this............................meeshu
reply by the author on 16-Jan-2019
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this is a powerful and important poem, Diane. I am so glad you posted this, if we cannot learn from our past, then we are hopelessly lost. thankfully, we can learn because of writing like this............................meeshu
Comment Written 15-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 16-Jan-2019
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Hello Gary!
Thank you for your excellent rating and thoughtful review.
Such a tragedy...
diane
Comment from WildWithWords
A heartfelt cry for the correction of injustices of the past and well constructed.
I too have a great deal of remorse on behalf of white society over racial injustices of the past (despite the fact I have never been a US citizen) but I just find myself asking why a woman would lie under these circumstances, if she was in fact raped.
Perhaps evidence in those days was simply testimony and no doctor inspection (even rudimentary) was done. Who knows. I just presume that a woman raped and a man assaulted would WANT to point the finger at guilty people. Perhaps I'm naive.
In the cases where no victim survives I can well believe that many black people were lynched by vengeful whites. A sad fact of life.
Bill (WildWithWords)
reply by the author on 15-Jan-2019
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A heartfelt cry for the correction of injustices of the past and well constructed.
I too have a great deal of remorse on behalf of white society over racial injustices of the past (despite the fact I have never been a US citizen) but I just find myself asking why a woman would lie under these circumstances, if she was in fact raped.
Perhaps evidence in those days was simply testimony and no doctor inspection (even rudimentary) was done. Who knows. I just presume that a woman raped and a man assaulted would WANT to point the finger at guilty people. Perhaps I'm naive.
In the cases where no victim survives I can well believe that many black people were lynched by vengeful whites. A sad fact of life.
Bill (WildWithWords)
Comment Written 15-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 15-Jan-2019
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Hello Bill!
Well, a couple of thoughts:
1. The Washington Post article I reference in my Author's Notes speaks of Norma Pagett being estranged from her husband and his beating her; thus, to call "rape" would exonerate the husband by placing blame on the young men...much like Euella May in Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird against Tom Robinson.
2. No doctor ever examined Norma Pagett = simply a white woman's word against black men in Jim Crow South = white always won.
3. When one reads that nearly 1000 white men pursued the young man that fled arrest, and when he was summarily found, pumped 400 bullets into him, one knows that insanity was reigning...
A tragedy of monumental proportions. The more I research, the more repulsed and ashamed I am...
Thank you, Bill for your thoughtful review...
Take Care,
diane
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Please understand I wasn't questioning the findings of the recent inquiry, I was just wondering about the motives of a woman lying about who raped her. If she was under duress to lie then of course it makes sense.
Bill (WildWithWords)
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Good Morning, Bill
I can't attest to the character of Norma Pagett, but from what I read last evening, she knew exactly what she was doing and did so to cover up the beatings inflicted upon her by her husband...
I also read that the National Guard was called in to try to bring some peace and order to the black segregated neighborhoods that had been vandalized by white rioters...
What a tragedy.
Thank you again, Bill, for stopping by and your thoughtful review and comments...
diane
Comment from lyenochka
Thank you for voicing all the indignation and outrage that this case brought to so many! I focused on just the outrage about the too little too late aspect of the pardon but you did a great job telling the whole story with rhyme!
reply by the author on 15-Jan-2019
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Thank you for voicing all the indignation and outrage that this case brought to so many! I focused on just the outrage about the too little too late aspect of the pardon but you did a great job telling the whole story with rhyme!
Comment Written 15-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 15-Jan-2019
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Hello Helen,
I am so pleased you stopped by!
I taught sociology for many years, so I was well-attuned to the tragedy of The Groveland Boys. But this poem grew - along with my outrage - when I read even more details that I had forgotten and new details the emerged from the pardoning itself - as in how Norma Pagett still maintains that she was raped and at 86 is willing to go to her grave standing by her claim. (The Washington Post link I share with readers amplifies her guilt).
Such a despicable tragedy...one that we simply must not forget...
Thank you for your excellent rating and review!
Be well!
diane
Comment from Oatmeal
Mrs. KT,
The descriptive words are well chosen. Nicely effective and impressive. Very well reflected thoughts and expressions. Telling things plainly and comprehensibly.
The theme flowed well all through your poem. The notes were scary.
There was no SPAG, no typos, no room for improvement.
I look forward to seeing you again.
Love you,
Oatmeal
reply by the author on 16-Jan-2019
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Mrs. KT,
The descriptive words are well chosen. Nicely effective and impressive. Very well reflected thoughts and expressions. Telling things plainly and comprehensibly.
The theme flowed well all through your poem. The notes were scary.
There was no SPAG, no typos, no room for improvement.
I look forward to seeing you again.
Love you,
Oatmeal
Comment Written 15-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 16-Jan-2019
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Hello Oatmeal!
So very pleased you stopped by and enjoyed my work.
Thank you for your excellent rating and complimentary review!
diane
Comment from l.raven
HI Diane, this is just sooooo heart breaking...all because of the color of their skin...did not anyone think that these people where God's creation...and well as the whites...and any other color...you look at these kids and just wish you could start all over again...but make it right...your story is very well told sweet girl...and your picture says it all...very well written...so sad this happen...thank you for your notes...love you...Linda xxoo
reply by the author on 16-Jan-2019
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HI Diane, this is just sooooo heart breaking...all because of the color of their skin...did not anyone think that these people where God's creation...and well as the whites...and any other color...you look at these kids and just wish you could start all over again...but make it right...your story is very well told sweet girl...and your picture says it all...very well written...so sad this happen...thank you for your notes...love you...Linda xxoo
Comment Written 15-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 16-Jan-2019
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Hello Linda!
Thank you for your excellent rating and thoughtful review!
I cannot wrap my head around much of this situation...
Thank you for stopping by!
diane
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you so welcome Diane...nor can I...sigh...love xxoo
Comment from Bichon
A very heartbreaking poem. It is appalling this happened, and sadly sometimes still happens in this day and age. Thank you for including the full story in your notes.
reply by the author on 15-Jan-2019
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A very heartbreaking poem. It is appalling this happened, and sadly sometimes still happens in this day and age. Thank you for including the full story in your notes.
Comment Written 15-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 15-Jan-2019
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Hello Bichon!
So pleased you stopped by!
Thank you for your excellent rating and complimentary review.
The article by The Washington Post that I reference at the end is far more compelling than the Wickipedia/New York Times article.
Be well! and Thank you again!
diane
Comment from country ranch writer
To me that is like locking the barn after the horse was stolen.they did the crime even though the law was wrong in handling things they are covering everything up,for their wrong part doing.now the law is saying oh we didn't meant it. Oh what about the people they violated did they say we are,sorry for wrong doing. Don't seem right some how.
reply by the author on 15-Jan-2019
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To me that is like locking the barn after the horse was stolen.they did the crime even though the law was wrong in handling things they are covering everything up,for their wrong part doing.now the law is saying oh we didn't meant it. Oh what about the people they violated did they say we are,sorry for wrong doing. Don't seem right some how.
Comment Written 15-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 15-Jan-2019
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Hello CRW!
Definitely a tragedy...
Thank you for your excellent rating and review.
The events defy my sensibilities...
Take Care,
diane
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Hello CRW!
Definitely a tragedy...
Thank you for your excellent rating and review.
The events defy my sensibilities...
Take Care,
diane
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Mine too
Comment from Mastery
Deplorable. I don't know what drew your interest to this topic, but it was very interesting though I knew what the outcome would be in the beginning. I am so glad things have changed at least to some degree for our country's sake and ours. Thanks for sharing, Diane. Bob
reply by the author on 15-Jan-2019
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Deplorable. I don't know what drew your interest to this topic, but it was very interesting though I knew what the outcome would be in the beginning. I am so glad things have changed at least to some degree for our country's sake and ours. Thanks for sharing, Diane. Bob
Comment Written 15-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 15-Jan-2019
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Hello Bob,
Well, a few things drew me to write this piece.
1. I was a sociology instructor for many, many years and knew of the injustice experienced by the Groveland Four.
2. The State of Florida just officially "pardoned" these individuals this past week on January 11, 2019 = 70 years after the fact.
3. The accuser, Norma Pagett, now 86, still maintains she was raped.
4. The families of the deceased men always maintained their loved ones' innocence and forgave Norma Pagett...
5. We need to remember; it's time for this kind of injustice to end for my children and future generations...
So, there you have it...This poem took on a life of its own. Deplorably fascinating. I keep wondering if Harper Lee was thinking of the Groveland Four when she created the character of Tom Robinson in To Kill A Mockingbird...
Thank you for your excellent rating and thoughtful review, friend...
diane
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Very Interesting, Diane. :) Bob
Comment from Mustang Patty
Hi,
Okay, I won't lie - I have zero idea of what a tetrameter is, but I'm assuming it has something to do with three.
However, you've pulled on my heart with a story - older than both of us - that is still being repeated today.
Justice is not blind. Too many people of color fill our jails and prisons. Their sentences are much more severe than those of Caucasians for the same crime!
I will just keep doing my little part for the Innocence Project, and pray for change, I will also write letters and sign petitions.
Your poem is lovely and far beyond my meager poetic muscles,
~patty~
reply by the author on 15-Jan-2019
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Hi,
Okay, I won't lie - I have zero idea of what a tetrameter is, but I'm assuming it has something to do with three.
However, you've pulled on my heart with a story - older than both of us - that is still being repeated today.
Justice is not blind. Too many people of color fill our jails and prisons. Their sentences are much more severe than those of Caucasians for the same crime!
I will just keep doing my little part for the Innocence Project, and pray for change, I will also write letters and sign petitions.
Your poem is lovely and far beyond my meager poetic muscles,
~patty~
Comment Written 15-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 15-Jan-2019
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Hello Dear Patty!
I was just about to message you!
Golly! What is that about "great minds..." :) Actually, you have been on my mind all day long, so I hope you are feeling well!
Tetrameter is a verse of four measures = 8 syllables and Dimeter = 4 syllables
This offering began as an Amphion of one stanza = 8/4/4/8/4/4/8/4/4/8 but then it took on a life of its own as I became more and more outraged by my findings...
I am so glad you are involved with the Innocence Project.
And thank you for your excellent rating and thoughtful review!
diane
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
What a terrible story/poem. That 17 year old girl who accused those boys had a lot to answer for when she got to meet God. And her husband? My goodness, the whole thing was a disgrace against fellow human beings. The awful thing is, although much has changed there are still so many racists that think nothing of killing or maiming people of a different colour. I'm really pleased the four lads were given posthumous pardons. Your poem pulled no punches, it was superbly written and really a very thought provoking read. Well done. Sandra xx
reply by the author on 15-Jan-2019
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What a terrible story/poem. That 17 year old girl who accused those boys had a lot to answer for when she got to meet God. And her husband? My goodness, the whole thing was a disgrace against fellow human beings. The awful thing is, although much has changed there are still so many racists that think nothing of killing or maiming people of a different colour. I'm really pleased the four lads were given posthumous pardons. Your poem pulled no punches, it was superbly written and really a very thought provoking read. Well done. Sandra xx
Comment Written 15-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 15-Jan-2019
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Hello Sandra,
Yes, the story of the Groveland Four is beyond comprehension.
The woman, Norma Pagett is still alive and testified at the January 11th pardon that she was/is against the men being exonerated posthumously. This is what I shared with another reviewer: The white woman that accused the four young men was only seventeen years old and married at the time. She claimed that the four had gang raped her in her stalled car - with her husband present - on a dark road in Okhumpka in 1949. The young men had stopped to help the couple but denied ever assaulting Norma Padgett. Such a travesty of injustice. No DNA, and the FBI later corroborated that the incident could not have possibly taken place as Padgett testified. One of the young men, Charles Greenlee didn't even know the other three young men and had been arrested in a separate incident twenty miles away when the alleged rape took place...
I so appreciate that you appreciate my stylistic approach. As I also mentioned earlier to a reviewer, it began as only a ten line poem, and then it took on a life of its own the more I research and became incensed...
Thank you again!
diane
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Sometimes, when you've told the story so many times, you come to believe it. To admit you ruined the lives of four people through lies is not something I could live with. You did a wonderful job writing this. xx
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So appreciated, Sandra...
I wouldn't want to time travel back to the South in 1949...How about you? :)
diane
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No, not at all! LOL. :))
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I didn't think so! :)
