enviousdominous
Behold my diction
Fair warning, this thread is in reference to the recent occurrence where Stanford University freshman Brock Turner had raped a young woman. I don't use the term "allegedly" there because he was tried and convicted. His sentence of six months with a year of probation (and a lifetime on the sex offender registry) was very light in my not-so humble opinion.
I want this thread to focus on an old friend of Brock Turner's; Leslie Rasmussen. For those who don't want to Google her name; Leslie was asked to provide a character statement in defense of Brock Turner to potentially earn him a lighter sentence.
Here's what she wrote in defense of Brock Turner:
Now, while I note that Leslie is only 20 years old, she trivialized the rape of another young woman by suggesting that it doesn't count as rape if you made a good impression on her and if you were a part of this evil scheme by universities to look like party zones. That was wrong of her, and her (now closed) account on Facebook was quickly bogged down with every type of hateful comment one can imagine.
She then posted a condescending statement to try to excuse herself from the backlash, which went as well as I'm sure that any of you can predict. Then she released a third statement, saying:
"Although I was asked to share how I knew him, how long I have known him, his character and personality, time spent with him, activities together, and any other opinion I had on the matter, I was not there that night. I had no right to make any assumptions about the situation. Most importantly, I did not acknowledge strongly enough the severity of Brock's crime and the suffering and pain that his victim endured, and for that lack of acknowledgment, I am deeply sorry. I fully understand the outrage over Brock's sentencing and my statement. I can only say that I am committed to learning from this mistake. I am 20 years old, and it has never been more clear to me that I still have much to learn."
To me, that is a very satisfying end to this whole saga surrounding her. She understands that she was ignorant, and will likely do a little more research into a matter before submitting a statement that will never go away.
This all brings me to the point of this thread, the backlash against Leslie is picking up steam. It'll die out when the social justice warriors of the internet find a new pariah to annihilate, but for now she's someone they can directly influence while Brock is safely behind bars.
Leslie is in a band called "Good English" with her two sisters, and they're currently the most popular band to hate. Most commentary suggests that their music is terrible -- which is a fair opinion these days -- though one has to wonder if the flood of hatred for their band might have something to do with the high that some people get when they feel justified for being sadistic.
I'm reminded of Matthew 7:2, which says: For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.
In my opinion; Brock should have received a more harsh sentence for his crime, but Leslie is as entitled to her ignorance as I am to mine. I can hate someone for being a rapist, I can't hate someone for being ignorant until coming around and admitting that ignorance. A large chunk of the internet on the other hand won't be satisfied until they see Good English covered in pig's blood before being executed by a firing squad.
I want this thread to focus on an old friend of Brock Turner's; Leslie Rasmussen. For those who don't want to Google her name; Leslie was asked to provide a character statement in defense of Brock Turner to potentially earn him a lighter sentence.
Here's what she wrote in defense of Brock Turner:
Now, while I note that Leslie is only 20 years old, she trivialized the rape of another young woman by suggesting that it doesn't count as rape if you made a good impression on her and if you were a part of this evil scheme by universities to look like party zones. That was wrong of her, and her (now closed) account on Facebook was quickly bogged down with every type of hateful comment one can imagine.
She then posted a condescending statement to try to excuse herself from the backlash, which went as well as I'm sure that any of you can predict. Then she released a third statement, saying:
"Although I was asked to share how I knew him, how long I have known him, his character and personality, time spent with him, activities together, and any other opinion I had on the matter, I was not there that night. I had no right to make any assumptions about the situation. Most importantly, I did not acknowledge strongly enough the severity of Brock's crime and the suffering and pain that his victim endured, and for that lack of acknowledgment, I am deeply sorry. I fully understand the outrage over Brock's sentencing and my statement. I can only say that I am committed to learning from this mistake. I am 20 years old, and it has never been more clear to me that I still have much to learn."
To me, that is a very satisfying end to this whole saga surrounding her. She understands that she was ignorant, and will likely do a little more research into a matter before submitting a statement that will never go away.
This all brings me to the point of this thread, the backlash against Leslie is picking up steam. It'll die out when the social justice warriors of the internet find a new pariah to annihilate, but for now she's someone they can directly influence while Brock is safely behind bars.
Leslie is in a band called "Good English" with her two sisters, and they're currently the most popular band to hate. Most commentary suggests that their music is terrible -- which is a fair opinion these days -- though one has to wonder if the flood of hatred for their band might have something to do with the high that some people get when they feel justified for being sadistic.
I'm reminded of Matthew 7:2, which says: For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.
In my opinion; Brock should have received a more harsh sentence for his crime, but Leslie is as entitled to her ignorance as I am to mine. I can hate someone for being a rapist, I can't hate someone for being ignorant until coming around and admitting that ignorance. A large chunk of the internet on the other hand won't be satisfied until they see Good English covered in pig's blood before being executed by a firing squad.