"The Other Ben Spencer"
As the saying goes, "There but for the grace of God, go I."
It was chilling to hear what seemed to be my own name mentioned in an NPR promo teasing a story about a wrongly convicted and recently released individual named Ben Spencer. As it turns out, in 1988, another Benjamin Spencer (pictured below) was sentenced to life in prison in Texas for a robbery and murder that he always insisted he did not commit. Thirty years after the crime, NPR's Barb Bradley Hagerty decided to investigate the matter and uncovered new evidence that led to his release from prison in March of 2021 and may lead to his exoneration in the coming days.
There are at least three lessons I draw from this:
First, humility. We all need to have the humility to recognize that forces beyond our control may lead to placing us in horrific circumstances, which means we should have empathy for those who come upon the worst kinds of hard luck.
Second, gratitude. I am grateful that God has protected me from sharing the fate of my homonymous Brother from Texas and grateful for the freedom and liberty that many seem to take for granted. That gratitude must impel all of us to give back and pay it forward in whatever ways we can.
Finally, duty. As someone privileged to enjoy the blessings of liberty, I have a responsibility to do my part in ensuring that others have the same opportunity, which includes an obligation to promote justice in our society. As my fellow Morehouse College alumnus Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote in his Letter from Birmingham Jail, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly."
I am fortunate to be able to lead William & Mary Law School, the nation's first law school and a beacon for preparing Citizen Lawyers who further the cause of justice in our world. Kudos to Barb Bradley Hagerty for her work on this case; I would welcome her and Mr. Spencer to our Law School anytime to share their insights and experiences with our students.
NPR Story: https://lnkd.in/eNcBdy2C
"Bringing Ben Home" Book by Hagerty: https://lnkd.in/ejHQDmgD
Partner @ We Keep U Posted. Branding Visionary, Content Architect, Digital Strategist
2wHappy Holidays team!