NCHS AP English Language

Author Jessica Huff

Beckwith was a pawn in the murder of Medgar Evers. Although he killed Medgar Evers, he was heavily influenced by the white supremacy. A pawn may take a rook because it is necessary for the good of the queen. However, the pawn does not benefit, yet the queen benefits from the defense that the pawn offers. Similarly, Beckwith murdered Evers; however, he did not gain anything from the murder, yet white supremacy did gain from this murder. To use an analogy, during World War II, many people aided in killing of Jews; nevertheless, they were not responsible for the death of Jews. The ultimate responsibility lies with Hitler and the Nazis because they brainwashed the people into believing that killing Jews was necessary and beneficial to them, when in reality it only benefited Hitler and the Nazis. Likewise, the influence of the white supremacy affected Beckwith's decision and ultimately was the reason that he killed Evers. The white supremacy convinced Beckwith and poor Southerners that black people and the NAACP were their enemies. In reality, the white supremacy was the real enemy, just as Hitler and the Nazis were during World War II. If Hitler and the Nazis had not brainwashed the people of Germany, they most likely would have felt no need to kill Jews. Similarly, if Beckwith had the same choice without any outside influence, he most probably would not have killed Evers since he had nothing to gain from Evers's death. However, the white supremacy tricked Beckwith into believing that he would benefit from Evers's death. In reality, the white supremacy really benefited, and Beckwith gained nothing. Because the influence of the white supremacy weighed so heavily on Beckwith's decision and was ultimately the reason for the murder, Beckwith is not responsible for the murder. The white supremacy holds all responsibility for Evers's death and essentially killed Evers. Beckwith just served as their weapon for killing.

posted by NCHS AP English Language III @ 1:52 PM