The state of Georgia's September 21 execution of Troy Davis was a sickening combination of pain, disappointment and frustration. The pain hit deep into the Black community, which seemed powerless as they watched one of their own put to death for a crime – killing a white police officer – he vehemently denied committing and a case which was muddled with doubt.

People of diverse ethnicities joined in appealing for Davis' pardon or for life sentence instead of death. But, despite several witnesses in his trial recanting their statements against him, another person's confession to the crime, and the support of iconic personalities like Pope Benedict, President Jimmy Carter and civil rights activist Al Sharpton, Davis was executed.

This controversial execution has again placed focus on the death penalty and whether it should be abolished in the United States or modified to relate to only certain murders. Human rights activists have long advocated for the abolition of the death penalty, but when a murder is committed sometimes the victim's relatives demand that ultimate penalty.

Not even the Christian Church has a singular opinion concerning the death penalty. Some Christians herald the Biblical message, "An eye for an eye" to support the penalty, while others tout, "Vengeance is mine, sayeth, the Lord," in arguing against it.

The fact is that the death penalty should be re-examined in the 37 states that currently impose it. Since April 1, 2008 when the penalty was authorized by 37 states, the Federal Government and the U.S. Military, 1099 individuals (64 in Florida) sentenced to death have been executed, while 3,263 remain on death row awaiting execution.

Most states with the death penalty have attempted to appease opponents by implementing more "compassionate" methods of execution. Several states, (including Florida)use lethal injection (as in the case of Troy Davis' execution), but some also execute using electrocution and lethal gas. In Delaware, New Hampshire, and Washington convicted murderers are subject to hanging, and astonishingly, murderers in Idaho, Oklahoma and Utah can face a firing squad.

The bigger problem is the possibility that innocent people may be convicted of crimes punishable by death. Since 1973, over 130 convicts who were on death row were freed because subsequent evidence proved they were wrongly convicted.

However, the legal system isn't consistent, as innocent people have been executed despite evidence of their innocence. Troy Davis was executed despite serious doubts of his guilt. Just before his life was taken, he called on his supporters to continue working to end the death penalty.

The opposition to the death penalty is particularly strong among the Black community because of its disproportionate rulings. Some will argue that this is not true, since of the 1099 individuals executed since April 1, 2008, the majority, 630 (57 percent) were White and 377 (34 percent) Black, and those on death row are 1,517 Whites (45 percent) compared to 1,397 Blacks (42 percent). This data is misleading, since America's white population outnumbers the Black population by a 6:1 ratio. This in turn, results in the ratio of Blacks who were executed (and are on death row) being much higher than that of Whites.

The Black community's aggressive opposition to the death penalty, as seen in Troy Davis' case, is largely because Blacks on death row usually have a harder time proving their innocence than convicts of other races.

Black advocates against the death penalty are not against the imposition of stiff sentences for Black criminals convicted of murder. It is comparatively easier for convicts sentenced to serve time, to get new trials or be released from prison if new evidence in their favor is found. Though efforts to exonerate the innocent may take years, with timed sentence, there is hope. But, it's almost impossible to correct a death sentence. The legal system is more favorable to even individuals sentenced to life imprisonment without parole than those sentenced to death.

Realistically, the ultimate abolishment of the death penalty won't be soon, if ever. However, Troy Davis' execution can still be used by advocates against the death penalty, as the leverage for changing the legal/justice system.

If the death penalty is to continue, then it needs to apply only to cases where there is unequivocal proof that the accused deliberately and without remorse, killed another human being. Additionally, even when the death penalty is applied, the convict should still have a window of legal opportunity to prove why he or she shouldn't be executed.

The outcry of Blacks against the death penalty is understandable, since historically Blacks have been treated unfairly and discriminated against by the criminal justice system. They are rightly concerned that Black convicts are being treated unfairly in the imposition of the death penalty. Therefore, it is crucial that everyone, who seeks justice strives against a repeat of the fate met by Troy Davis.