Grace Brandt ’23 wanted to understand more about Texas’ history and stance on capital punishment after completing a course on Texas Politics led by Cal Jillson. Her curiosity into the controversial topic motivated her to research and write an article for Dialogue, SMU’s premier student-run political journal on public policy and international affairs. We spoke with Grace to learn more about why she chose this topic and what she discovered throughout the process.
My passion for Texas was first kindled by my preschool teacher, even though I was born and raised in Arkansas. The fascination only grew as I matured, and I longed to eventually attend college in the Lone Star State. My dream came true as I am now a student at Southern Methodist University. This Spring, I excitedly signed up for Texas Politics with Professor Cal Jillson. I was thrilled at the possibility of developing a greater understanding of the politics, culture, and history of the state I have long admired. I concluded the course with a research paper on capital punishment in Texas, an intriguing subject that combines Texas’ unique political culture and values within the United States with a timely issue. The current discourse surrounding law and order, the economy, and race are all intrinsically tied to discussions surrounding the death penalty and prison system.
My understanding of capital punishment was minimal and my perspective rather indifferent prior to undertaking my research. Therefore, my outlook was more open than it might have been otherwise. I was surprised to find that the few things I thought I did know were misconceptions. For example, I falsely believed the death penalty saved American tax dollars compared to life sentences. Coupled with biased methods of filling juries, confusing court questioning, and disproportionate impact on minority populations, the death penalty sentencing process is a cause for concern whether one supports it or not. If justice is the goal in sentencing, its actualization is far too questionable for the public to rest easy.
Despite the controversial nature of the process and effects as well as decreasing national approval, Texas remains firmly in favor of capital punishment. This commitment is important in understanding Texas’ deeply rooted traditionalist and individualist political culture and its implications on a vast array of issues. The steady diversification of the state is carving away at this blanket culture and similarly contributing to the renewal of partisan competition. Even so, those who continue to support the death penalty and subsequent perspectives relegated to minority-level support will remain undeterred by their lack of public endorsement. The Lone Star State has long prided itself on independence and standing at odds with the United States. I argue that in analyzing underlying reasoning and overarching values, those engaged in politics will be better able to promote, contest, and understand the myriad of views that exist in the nation’s second-largest state. In doing this, my love for Texas has shifted and matured, but it is my love for the state that causes me to seek out the issues that are in desperate need of address.
Read her article and other students works in the latest issue of the Dialogue.