The Story Of Cyntoia Brown, A Child Sex Slave Imprisoned For Killing Her Abuser, Has Resurfaced
Source: PBS
Source: PBS
The essay celebrates Martin Luther King's legacy.
On January 7 came news that Cyntoia Brown was granted clemency by Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam. Now, Brown has penned an essay speaking on her clemency while celebrating Martin Luther King Jr.
READ: Cyntoia Brown Has Been granted Clemency — But What Does That Mean?
"This is the time of year that we celebrate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his message of freedom for all people," Brown begins. "...There are no words to describe the joy and relief I felt when I learned of Gov. Bill Haslam's extraordinary act of mercy in granting me clemency."
"In just seven months, I will walk out of prison and get a second chance at life," she continues. "...I believe what matters most is when people begin to listen. That's how the tide began to turn in the days of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and that is certainly how the tide began to turn for me these past few years."
The essay, in its entirety, can be read at the Tennessean.
"My hope is that as we celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, we will recommit ourselves to the struggle for justice and the importance of truly listening to those whose stories we have the power to affect. And, I personally hope that begins by really listening to young people, in particular. If we stop and listen, we might just show the young people of today how to become the leaders of tomorrow," she concludes.
Brown was sentenced to life in prison and would not have been eligible for parole until 2055. Now, she'll be released August 7 after serving 15 years of her original life sentence. Following that, she will be under supervised parole for 10 more years.
Source: The Tenessean
