THE SUN DOES SHINE
"I know the sun will never refuse to shine. We may not see it, but I know it's there. I'm not going to have hate in my heart.”
I am posting with the hope that everyone will read this unforgettable book, and will not only be moved by this story but will learn more the critical issue it highlights. The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row is a memoir by Anthony Ray Hinton, who spent nearly 30 years incarcerated on death row in Alabama for crimes he did not commit.
My feelings after reading Hinton's story are difficult to articulate. I am so deeply inspired by his resourcefulness and determination to achieve full exoneration, never settling for anything less than acknowledgment of his innocence, no matter how long it took. I am equally awed by his ability to find humor and humanity among hate. This man created a community within one of the darkest places imaginable, surrounded by death and anguish, and committed himself to connection and growth rather than surrendering to despair. He is a symbol of hope.
But I also feel angry - at our incarceration system, and our criminal justice system as a whole. Statistically, one out of every ten people on death row is innocent. How many stories like Hinton's will never have the chance be told? How much longer will there be racially motivated incarceration and excessive punishment? Hinton tells us that injustice is never something we should get used to. We need to recognize that change begins with awareness. To learn more, visit EJI.org .
I didn’t initially make this galette for this post, but as I placed the peaches, I remembered how much Hinton loved his mother's pie. I thought about how the sliced peaches circling outward looked like a little sun. And I noticed the light streaming through the window, making harsh shadows like prison bars, but with light and warmth in between. Here is my humble attempt at a homemade peach galette and a photo that I hope serves this book well. I also hope the sun's rays are shining on you today, wherever you may be.
