Picking Cotton: Our Memoir Of Injustice And Redemption

Picking Cotton: Our Memoir of Injustice and Redemption is a 2009 memoir written by Ronald Cotton and Jennifer Thompson-Cannino. The coauthors share a unique relationship. When she was 22, Jennifer mistakenly identified Ronald as the man who raped her in her apartment. He was wrongfully convicted and spent 11 years in prison before being exonerated by DNA testing. Together, they tell their story, which explores themes of Victimization, Guilt, and Shame; The Unreliability of Eyewitness Testimony; and Racism and Unjust Incarceration.

Content warning: The guide contains discussions of rape, sexual assault, and racism that appear in the source text.

The book is written in three first-person parts. After a brief introduction, in which Jennifer reveals that she was responsible for Ronald’s unjust incarceration, she recounts the night of the rape, the police investigation, Ronald’s trial, and his conviction. Part 1 ends with Ronald going to prison and Jennifer praying that he will both burn in hell and experience rape while he is incarcerated. She alternates between venomous rage, extreme shame and guilt, and helplessness.

Part 2 is written by Ronald. He describes his background and youth briefly before giving his account of the night he was accused of Jennifer’s rape. As a Black man in the South, he knew he was innocent but had little hope of convincing anyone. He went to the police station to clear his name and was instead incarcerated for 11 years. Much of Part 2 details Ronald’s experience in various prisons. He had to fight to survive, and he struggled frequently with his rage at the injustice of his situation. Ronald eventually committed to being peaceful and maintaining his humanity at all costs. After a DNA test proved that he was never in Jennifer’s apartment, he was released.

Part 3 is written by both Ronald and Jennifer in alternating points of view that change with each chapter. Ronald’s account of his life after prison is about struggling to find work, become independent, and not knowing what to do with himself. He met a woman named Robbin, whom he married and had a daughter with. Jennifer’s experience after Ronald’s release was very different: She was consumed with guilt over her mistake and feared that Ronald would take revenge on her or her family 

The primary focus of Part 3 is the unlikely friendship that grew between them. On a media appearance on Larry King Live, Ronald said that he would like to hear from Jennifer, in her own words. They eventually met and grew fond of each other. Ronald forgave Jennifer and felt no anger for her, which allowed her to begin forgiving herself. Eventually, they began speaking in tandem at activist events and even traveled together. As the book concludes, Jennifer tells him that she is glad she picked him, and he says he understands.