"They're not shooting me for deserting the United Stated Army - thousands of guys have done that. They're shooting me for bread I stole when I was 12 years old"
- Eddie Slovik
About this Quote
This quote by Eddie Slovik is a reflection of the cruelty of the justice system in the United States. Eddie Slovik was a soldier in the United States Army who was sentenced to death for desertion. Nevertheless, the quote suggests that the genuine reason he was sentenced to death was not for desertion, however for a crime he dedicated when he was 12 years old - stealing bread. This quote highlights the oppression of the justice system, as Eddie was sentenced to death for a criminal activity he dedicated as a child, regardless of thousands of other soldiers deserting the army without dealing with such an extreme penalty. It likewise works as a pointer of the importance of understanding the repercussions of our actions, as Eddie's life was taken away due to a criminal offense he devoted as a kid.
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