Meet LENA BAKER. A poor Black woman from Culbreath Georgia who’s claim to fame was being the first and only woman to be executed in the state of Georgia by electric chair in 1945. Her crime? Defending herself against the advances of an abusive white employer, who was going to kill her, if she didn’t kill him first. Lena Baker’s story has been largely ignored by the history books, but it speaks to the historical injustice that Blacks have endured and are still enduring today at the hands of the “justice” system. I keep her spirit in my heart as we await the outcome of this Troy Davis fiasco … hoping that just for once, history doesn’t repeat itself. - CB
“What I done, I did in self-defense, or I would have been killed myself. Where I was I could not overcome it. God has forgiven me. I have nothing against anyone. I picked cotton for Mr. Pritchett, and he has been good to me. I am ready to go. I am one in the number. I am ready to meet my God. I have a very strong conscience.”
(via sorairo-days)
