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Dear Brock Turner,

A heartfelt letter extending a weary hand.

Sep 10, 2016

Brock Turner, I don't like you very much. However—out of the kindness of my all-loving heart—I would like to welcome you back to the world after serving only three months in jail. I'm just nice like that.

Given the brevity of your sentence, you haven't missed much, and I don't want to waste my time getting you caught up.

You see, dear Brock. I'm scared of you. You sexually assaulted a young woman just like myself and only gave her three months to grieve and to attempt to live in peace.

I know its not entirely your fault for how things panned out. You can thank the institutional racism of our justice system from which you benefited greatly, saving you from the punishment you deserved. However, you still assaulted her. You took advantage of her. You did the crime and did not do the time. No amount of dues you may try to pay will never begin to repay for what you did.

Brock, I am a young, twenty-year-old, college-attending woman, and I live with the looming fear of being sexually assaulted by people like you, my friends, acquaintances, strangers, whoever. I live with this fear everyday. It has become my most-used, invisible accessory.

So please sympathize for me. Please understand why I firmly hold my keys in between my fingers whenever walking home alone late at night. Please realize the countless and humiliating lectures I have had to sit through ever since I knew what rape was, these lectures treating me like a potential crime scene instead of a human being and teaching me how not to be raped. Please show some sympathy for the women and girls just like me wanting to live a normal life but having that taken away because someone else thought they weren't deserving or that they weren't their own person.

I'm sorry, Brock, to put all the blame on you, but you're the only face I know and recognize. You are an offender who got off easy. You made it big on all the major news channels. You're popular, Brock! I think it's only right that you deserve a bit more of negative publicity.

You, Brock, were supposed to be our nation's best - All-American, Ivy League. But then you assaulted her. I'm sorry your reputation has been ruined, but you're the only one to blame.

Brock, I have one final wish: please use your popularity, your face, and your guilt to fix this. Try to fix an incredibly fearful and dangerous rape culture plaguing college campuses nationwide. Please help.

Sincerely,

A Possible Victim

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Dear Brock Turner,

A heartfelt letter extending a weary hand.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

No, I can't help you.

1. When a customer wants to return a product, hands you the receipt, where is printed "ALL SALES ARE FINAL" in all caps.

2. Just because you might be having a bad day, and you're in a crappy mood, doesn't make it okay for you to yell at me or be rude to me. I'm a person with feelings, just like you.

3. People refusing to be put on hold when a customer is standing right in front of you. Oh, how I wish I could just hang up on you!

4. Having the same conversations over and over again! To be honest I really don't even want to talk to you right now, or have this fake ass smile on my face!

5. Always having to have a smile on your face. I promise I'm not as happy as I may look!

6. Customers not understanding that sometimes, mistakes happen. I am a human being, we all mess up sometimes!

7. Having the boss from hell, it's their way or the highway! Even though I did my job correctly and efficiently, if I don't do it the exact way you do, I'm a piece of shit.

8. Having coworker who don't help out, who bend the rules just enough to screw you over.

9. Having to be at work after closing because a customer is taking forever and half! Not like I'd like to go home or anything!

10. Having shitty hours and more shifts than you asked for. Just because we don't have enough workers, doesn't mean I want to pick up every shift that you cant cover, oh great boss of mine!

11. Not having time for a social life. It gets old saying, "I can't I have work..." Every day of the week!

12. Having that lazy costumer who can't do anything for themselves... no please I'll get that, it's no problem at all!

It's just my face, I swear.

1. When you meet new people, they automatically assume you hate them or are rude.

2. People are constantly asking you if you're OK.

3. After being friends with someone for a while, they confess to you, "I thought you were so mean when I first met you," or, "I thought you hated me."

4. You get told to smile more, but they don't understand how scary that would be.

5. You're always labeled as seeming "judgy."

6. Passing a friend with your RBF in full force and not realizing you just shot them a death glare.

7. Being sarcastic, but everyone thinks you're outright rude.

8. Not knowing how mean you really look until you see a picture of yourself in resting face.

9. Your apologies never sound sincere because of your emotionless face.

10. Your "mad face" scares you.

11. And, lastly, people are constantly asking you if you are happy or having a good time because you look bored to death.

Please hold your blonde joke.

1. "Is Elle Woods your spirit animal?"

2. "Is that your natural hair color?"

3. "Oh wow, you get good grades at school?"

4. "You must really like the color pink!"

5. "You’re probably not into sports, right?"

6. "You must have such a bubbly personality."

7. "Your wardrobe must consist of all things preppy."

8. "What sorority are you in?"

9. "You were probably a cheerleader in high school."

10. "You look like you’re from L.A. because your hair is so light."

11. "You definitely like Pumpkin Spiced Lattes from Starbucks!"

12. "Do you actually think blondes have more fun?"

13. "You must encompass the typical “white girl” stereotype."

14. "Is that daddy’s credit card you’re using?"

15. "So all of your friends are blonde too?"

16. "I’m surprised about you; I thought you would be a lot ditsier."

The world's greatest university meets the world's greatest show.

1. When you get your acceptance letter

2. When you try to figure out how class enrollment works

3. When it’s move in day

4. When you arrive on campus and see all of the attractive people

5. FROG Week

6. When you find your squad

7. When you visit DHall (RIP) or EHall for the first time

8. When you take on way too many credits

9. When you go to your first party at JMU

10. When the rival school shows up for the homecoming game (or any game really)

11. Sunday Brunch

12. When you see the infamous “preacher” for the first time

13. The first snow day

14. Madipalooza

15. When finals week rolls around

16. When you have to say goodbye

17. And when you finally get to go back

Do you have a small get-together or throw a big bash?

1. Your family and friends ask what you want for your birthday, so you give them a list of options.

2. You're super excited about your birthday the week before.

3. Your family flies in town to celebrate with you.

4. Your siblings wake you up.

5. Your friends are so excited to be with you on your big day.

6. If you work, your office might throw a party for you.

7. For your actual party, you plan a small get-together with close family and friends ...

8. ... or large celebration with everyone you know.

9. You eat the best meal you've had in weeks.

10. You devour the first piece of cake proudly.

11. You embarrass yourself somehow.

12. You get the present you really wanted but thought no one would get you.

13. You are a little sad about getting older.

14. That feeling wears off and you realize how happy you are to have family and friends to celebrate this day with you.

15. The morning after your birthday looks something like this.

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