Sunday, April 24, 2011
Recy Taylor (photo: Phelan M. Ebenhack, AP)
Recy Taylor may soon receive her apology. The 91-year-old African-American woman was raped in Alabama by a gang of Caucasian men in 1944, but never saw justice served as two all-white, all-male grand juries refused to indict the suspects.
The Alabama legislature has sought to officially apologize for the incident by passing a resolution that expressed its “deepest sympathy and deepest regrets” to Taylor, who now lives in Florida. The resolution also states the failure to prosecute the men was “morally abhorrent and repugnant.”
Then 24 years old, Taylor, married and a mother living in Henry County, was walking home from church with two friends when she was abducted at knife point by seven white men, driven to a secluded area and raped repeatedly.
Taylor has said she believes all of her attackers are now dead, but has still wanted an apology from the state of Alabama. The resolution will become official if Governor Robert Bentley signs it.
-Noel Brinkerhoff
Alabama Legislature Apologizes in 1944 Rape Case (by Bob Johnson, Associated Press)
Alabama Town Apologizes to 91-Year-Old for World War II-Era Rape (by Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov)
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