On January 18, 2015, a young woman decides to go a party to spend the last day with her younger sister before the latter goes back to school. She planned to just have fun and probably embarrass her sister like any older sibling enjoys doing. She was enjoying herself by letting her guard down. She "drank liquor too fast not factoring in that her (my) tolerance had significantly lowered since college." Then she was on a gurney, covered in dried blood and bandages. What happened? Who did this? And why?
Brock Turner was a freshman at Stanford University. 19-years-old. A collegiate swimmer, who was an All-American and was highly recruited for his swimming accomplishments. He could have been in the 2020 Olympics. His life was on a high road before he decided to ruin it by his disgusting decision: he raped the mentioned woman, who was unconscious, behind a dumpster.
Turner was caught by two bikers, Carl-Fredrik Ardnt and Peter Johnson who witnessed Turner's assault, tackled Turner, called the police and stayed on him until police arrived. The assailant charged with three counts of sexual assault and was found guilty, but the case got very disrespectful. Dan Turner, Brock's father, also wrote a letter to Judge Persky to defend his son. He noted his son's high GPA, athletic ability, and how the case devastated his child. "Now, he barely consumes any food and eats only to exist," he said. "That is a steep price to pay for 20 minutes of action out of his 20 plus years of life." This excerpt was released to the public, which caused outrage on social media. The judge of the case, Aaron Persky, only gave Turner a six month jail sentence. The account of the action, Turner would have gotten 14 years, but Judge Persky cited his decision to reduce the sentence, saying, "A longer sentence would have a severe impact," on the student, even after listening to the victim's letter in court. Her case was left with no justice.
Rape culture is an issue going on in many universities and colleges across the United States. Even HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) have it bad right along PWIs (Predominately White Institutions). Some victims don't speak out because of their attacker's status at the school, fear of disbelief and worse, blame. When victims speak out, they are too often slammed with the fact that their attacker can buy their way to freedom. It is also a race issue also explained in a episode of HBO's "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel" on the story of Marcus Dixon. This issue is often swept under the rug to save an university's reputation as they're suppose to care about the safety of students. This issue was perfectly addressed by the people of VICE.
This whole trial was very irritating and ludicrous to me, so I decided to address everyone involved.
To Brock Turner, I am disgusted with you. When you put in your letter that "party culture," "peer pressure" and "drinking" were the reason for your actions, I wanted to punch you in the mouth. How could you? Nobody in that frat party told you to doing anything to that woman. Don't feed me that BS, when you decided to permanently destroy her life. You spoke about how you are not a swimmer or a student anymore and how that hurt you so, but dear sir, you wasn't thinking about none of that when you decided to be a monster. You are a disgusting prick because you didn't take responsibility for your actions. You're a rapist because it was your choice and I hope karma will find you in jail.
To Dan Turner, have you no shame. Do you have a daughter? I hope not because your comment about why is he suffering for 20 minutes is sickening! I understand that you are hurt for your son, but Mr. Turner, do have morals? Your son raped someone. He ruined his own life. He didn't think about the consequences. He is an adult, who was able to make his own decision. When he turned 18, you are no long responsible of what your son does. I'm sorry, but it's the truth. This father, John Pavlovitz, wrote a eloquent letter to him and that sums up my feelings.
To Judge Aaron Persky, you are a disgrace to the judicial system. When did we start giving a damn about the assailant's feelings? So what are those six months going to do? What if he does it again? Then what? Those 10 to 14 years would have taught him a lesson. Rapists are the lowest humans and you basically gave him freedom. Piper Chapman from Orange is the New Black had more time in jail and she just was an assistant to a drug trade! I can't fathom your thought process, he is a sex offender and you're an idiot. Karma will get you just like the woman jurors of the Trayvon Martin case.
To Carl-Fredrik Ardnt and Peter Johnson, you are heroes and your actions are greatly appreciated as there is not a lot of people like you, unfortunately. You are the greatest.
To the victim, you became a voice to the voiceless. I am sorry that you had to go through this hideous ordeal, but know this: nobody blames you. I am not going to fault you for enjoying yourself. Nobody thinks that they would be ever be taken advantage of, but you made damn sure you would not be a victim. You said that you remain anonymous because, "I am every woman," and you wanted to come "out to you as simply a woman wanting to be heard.” You opened a swept topic to the masses and because of you, more woman may come out more to address their assaults, especially on college campuses. I respect you. I pray for blessings. My sister, karma will come to him.
This is an issue. We need to start talking about this more on college campuses. No more staying quiet. We have to make sure students are safe.
