Dudley Sharp

In the following viewpoint, Dudley Sharp argues that the death penalty is not applied in a racially biased manner. He asserts that skewed and exaggerated statistics have led many to conclude that racism is the reason that blacks are more likely than whites to be sentenced to death and that murderers of whites are the most likely to be executed. In actuality, Sharp explains, whites are most often the victims of felony murders that are punishable by the death penalty, and blacks commit such felonies at a higher rate than do whites. Sharp is the vice president of Justice For All, a Texas-based victims’ rights group.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. According to Sharp, what percentage of imprisoned U.S. murderers are black"
2. In comparison with blacks, how much more likely are...