Would you befriend a murderer?

Human Writes is a NGO which befriends people on death row in the USA, giving these men and women a 'burst of sunshine' in their dark, lonely, cell filled lives. 


I am against capital punishment because I think that too many mistakes have been made in the past and innocent people can lose their lives. However, I  (and this may come as a shock to many of you) believe that a criminal should suffer for the crime they have committed. If someone has murdered, raped, abused, tortured (the list goes on) a small child, a young woman, an old man they should, in turn, suffer. If this means sitting in a cell with little light and no human interaction for the rest of their lives then so be it. 


What Human Writes does is in essence a lovely thing - forgiving and giving hope to those that deserve it the least. But for some reason, I just can't find it in myself to even contemplate forgiving these people.


This discussion can also be extended to a broader one about the justice system in general. I don't believe that mentally ill or disabled people should be on death row - clearly they need special attention in a psychiatric hospital. I believe everyone should be given a fair trial - innocent until proven guilty (although it seems to work the other way around these days). BUT, my current view is that those who end up on death row must have committed a truly horrendous crime. If they made their victim suffer, then why shouldn't they suffer?


"An eye for an eye" OR should I learn, through Human Writes to "But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also" (Matthew 5:39)


My friend Malou offers a different version, read her blog to find out her thoughts on Human Writes. 


S

A Arte Do Filme Brasileiro

This week and this week only............ 3rd London BRAZILIAN FILM FESTIVAL!

Being back in London is great because suddenly, the world is at your doorstep.. and this week it's Brazils turn to entertain me..

Some great films are being shown, starting tomorrow - romcoms, MPB music with Joao Gilberto, the story of Boca (one of the most dangerous Brazilian criminals in 1950s), Samba!, a Brazilian version of Romeo and Juliet... and many more!

Don't miss out on this great once a year opportunity and get yourself down to Covent Garden Odeon!

LoveBrazilianFilms

S

How To Be A Woman: by the Brilliant Caitlin Moran

Want to figure out if you're a feminist or not? According to Caitlin Moran here's the way to do it:

"Put your hand in your pants.

1. Do you have a vagina?
2. Do you want to be in charge of it?

If you said yes to both, then congratulations! You're a feminist!"

Her book is hilarious, crude, slightly uncouth, real, to the point and just bloody BRILLIANT.

She's made me feel more comfortable about talking about masturbation, abortions and hating heels. And she's also potentially terrified the shit of me at the thought of giving birth.... (But it did go well second time round for her!)

It seems to be for a specific generation, say from 20- 40, because my younger sister (18) didn't find it particularly humourus and nor did my mother/aunt/uncle.

Moral of the book: Masturbate, forget about Brazilian waxes and high heels, shout your feminist views LOUD AND PROUD, don't feel like you need the latest Prada to 'fit in' and... BE THE TYPE OF WOMAN YOU WANT TO BE, not who you think you should be.

Go buy it.. NOW!


S