What are your initial thoughts about the use of capital punishment in 2020 (there is no right or wrong answer)? Why do you think so many people still believe the myths regarding the death penalty, mainly the cost effective-ness and deterrent effect? And what does the research say. Are we saving money? Are we reducing violent crime and homicide rates by having the death penalty?
What was your takeaway from the TED talk by civil rights lawyer Bryan Stevenson? After watching his TED talk, doing the readings and going through the lecture on issues with race, what safeguards could be put into place to address racial and class inequalities and disparities with regard to the death penalty?
Briefly discuss the significant problems surrounding the way capital punishment is administered in Texas. Are we really only sentencing the worst of the worst? What are some proposed changes to making it more fair and rational? Feel free to bring in outside sources and use the lectures notes and class readings.
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