When
I was at the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman, I was housed
for quite some time with the guys on death row. I don't think there was
anyone I was closer to on the row than Jan Michael Brawner, Jr., whom we
knew as JB. He called me his Little Bro and I called him my Big Bro.
And as I'm writing this, I've heard them announce on the radio that he
was pronounced dead. My Big Bro was executed by the State of
Mississippi's murder machine.
What I'd like to know is...just what was accomplished by murdering JB? Was justice served? Does anyone feel a sense of closure or satisfaction now that he's dead? And if so, what kind of psychological mindset does a person have to possess to feel satisfied at the death of another person? But I'm not writing to debate these things here. I'm here to remember JB.
Through the years, I have refrained from asking people about the crimes they were sentenced for. I figure that they have already been judged for whatever it is and I don't have any need to know about it. So, instead of regurgitating what the media has forcefed you, let me tell you about the JB that I knew. Let me tell you about my Big Bro.
When I first met JB in C-building of MSP's Unit 32, he had already known of me through mutual friends. I don't associate with many people unless I've been around them for awhile, but I made an exception with JB because others were vouching for him. We shared common interests like reading, especially the science fiction and fantasy genres. The Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind was his favorite, whereas the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan is mine. This brought about an interesting discussion because I said that Goodkind plagiarized Jordan's ideas. JB was determined to find out the truth...and judging by copyrights and dates, I was right. That was one of the many things about JB that I respected- if he was wrong, he could admit it.
If JB borrowed something from someone, even if it was just a pack of salt, he was sure to repay it. If he could help someone, he would. JB cared and was a loyal friend, a loving son and brother, and it bothered him he couldn't do much for his mom, brother, sister. I've seen him humble himself, apologize to people and ask them to forgive him.
How many people who hate JB are professing Christians? What an ironic thing- the very ones reveling in his death are those who pay lip service to the doctrine of love. JB didn't fear death; he was at peace and knows who his Savior is. JB is a true Christian, I'm glad to have been able to encourage him in his faith, and I'm proud to call him my Big Bro. Matthew 25: 31-46 is an apt passage. Are you a sheep or goat?
JB's last words to me were a prayer for me and the ones I love... The world is worse-off for losing JB and I'll miss my Big Bro, but I look forward to seeing him again one day.
What I'd like to know is...just what was accomplished by murdering JB? Was justice served? Does anyone feel a sense of closure or satisfaction now that he's dead? And if so, what kind of psychological mindset does a person have to possess to feel satisfied at the death of another person? But I'm not writing to debate these things here. I'm here to remember JB.
Through the years, I have refrained from asking people about the crimes they were sentenced for. I figure that they have already been judged for whatever it is and I don't have any need to know about it. So, instead of regurgitating what the media has forcefed you, let me tell you about the JB that I knew. Let me tell you about my Big Bro.
When I first met JB in C-building of MSP's Unit 32, he had already known of me through mutual friends. I don't associate with many people unless I've been around them for awhile, but I made an exception with JB because others were vouching for him. We shared common interests like reading, especially the science fiction and fantasy genres. The Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind was his favorite, whereas the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan is mine. This brought about an interesting discussion because I said that Goodkind plagiarized Jordan's ideas. JB was determined to find out the truth...and judging by copyrights and dates, I was right. That was one of the many things about JB that I respected- if he was wrong, he could admit it.
If JB borrowed something from someone, even if it was just a pack of salt, he was sure to repay it. If he could help someone, he would. JB cared and was a loyal friend, a loving son and brother, and it bothered him he couldn't do much for his mom, brother, sister. I've seen him humble himself, apologize to people and ask them to forgive him.
How many people who hate JB are professing Christians? What an ironic thing- the very ones reveling in his death are those who pay lip service to the doctrine of love. JB didn't fear death; he was at peace and knows who his Savior is. JB is a true Christian, I'm glad to have been able to encourage him in his faith, and I'm proud to call him my Big Bro. Matthew 25: 31-46 is an apt passage. Are you a sheep or goat?
JB's last words to me were a prayer for me and the ones I love... The world is worse-off for losing JB and I'll miss my Big Bro, but I look forward to seeing him again one day.
-In memory of Jan Michael Brawner, Jr. June 10, 1978 - June 12, 2012
Print Page
July 2, 2012 at 5:51 PM
SOOO SAd god bless you Steven R.I.P.....
July 3, 2012 at 6:22 AM
Steven, although you are no longer housed at Parchman with DR, it is clear you have and always will be with them. No closure ever comes from taking another life. It is a act of pure vengeance carried out by the state. The State of Mississippi and so many others claim to give this closure, but in reality it is a false illusion. There only true success by carrying out his act of vengeance is, they have successfully made a whole new chain of victims. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. R.I.P. JB.
March 27, 2014 at 2:25 PM
I found your blog randomly looking up information about jan online. I will say that I do agree that the death penalty is something we should not continue to do as a civilized society considering the amount of money spent by the gov giving them multiple appeals. I guess the part I disagree with is where the world is worse off for him being gone. I think he should've been locked away for life and removed from society that way. His was a very different crime than yours, and he was not a child at the time.
I understand you think the ppl calling for his death that are Christians are hypocritical, and to an extent I agree(not religious at all myself) but only because most of the religion is hypocritical, but the entire idea of hell is vengeful, so vengeance is very much a part of that religion. It is human nature to want revenge though, and especially so against ppl that murder children.
August 15, 2019 at 7:29 PM
You are nuts. Fuck that fool.
Post a Comment