September 26, 2016
Ellie Colpitts
Over the summer, I stumbled across an article about rapist and former Stanford University swimmer, Brock Turner. Disgust and disbelief overtook me as I read through the article.
I am one of many repulsed by the idea that Turner’s actual jail sentence of three months is considered justice.
By validating what his son did, Dan Turner invalidates himself as a parent and his ability to raise a child of good moral standing.
Turner is guilty and has not been punished severely enough for his actions, but I disagree with the internet’s attempt to serve justice with protesting that has gone as far as harassment.
The number of times I’ve logged on to Facebook and seen the address of the Turner residence shared to promote justice is astonishing.
This country grants citizens freedom of speech and right to protest through the First Amendment, but I see no point in protesting his family.
Turner’s name will forever be associated with negative connotations that will follow him for the rest of his life.
They received enough media attention being judged and shamed, they don’t need people on their doorstep doing the same. It’s ineffective.
If these protesters disagree with how the case was handled, they should go to the person who handled it.
Rather than spreading the address of the Turner house like wildfire, why isn’t social media attacking Aaron Perksy, the judge on the case?
Persky decided that prison would be too scarring on Turner and created the partial sentence. He is the one that embodies the privilege associated with the case.
What good comes from telling the Turner family that their son wasn’t reprimanded enough, when we do nothing about the judge behind the sentence?
I don’t know what is going through this judge’s head that warrants his decision to release a rapist, but I bet he sleeps much more soundly than the Turner family does with protesters on their front lawn.
If these demonstrators were to focus their efforts at the source of the problem, the mistake in this court case could be more readily realized and proper measures taken.
Next time a case like this turns up, make sure that if you join efforts in the unjust, you put the effort where it’s most useful. Parading against only half of the accused is not a solution.