COLUMN: Intolerant America
Sometimes I question the justice system in this supposed "land of the free."
I am sure many of us have heard about the case of Trayvon Martin, a 17-year-old Black teenager who never would have thought a trip to a convenience store would end his life. Martin was gunned down by neighbor George Zimmerman.
What sickens me most about this case is not only the fact that racial malicious intent seemed to be Zimmerman's motive, but also the fact that our justice system in this country can be so horribly wrong. Since when do citizens have to sign a petition to get justice for an innocent young teen who has never done anything to anyone.
I am outraged at our justice system for forcing U.S citizens to sign a petition for something to be done about murder, and at the same time I applaud those who are disgusted by this crime of hate to the point of taking action. Hate crimes are sad in that lives are lost, but also because it shows a lack of progress in the minds of many people. Zimmerman's cruel instincts are the things that set us back years.
In another hate crime, I am sure many have heard of the Dharun Ravi verdict.
Ravi was recently found guilty on mostly all of the charges brought against him after spying on his homosexual roommate Tyler Clementi. Clementi committed suicide by jumping off the George Washington bridge after Ravi spied on him using a web-cam. Ravi's whole goal in spying on Clementi was to catch him in a homosexual act.
For this crime, Ravi could be sentenced for up to 10 years in prison and also deported back to India. Ravi, your actions were undoubtedly driven by a negative feeling for homosexuals and you should be punished to the full extent of the law. His actions were obviously homophobic and although he may not have meant for Clementi to commit suicide, it is important for him to realize that his ignorant actions drove his roommate to become so distraught.
I would sort of expect the type of ridiculous homophobic behavior Ravi displayed from a high school student, but a college student? Aren't we as college students supposed to be the new age of acceptance, knowledge and open-mindedness? Sadly not all of us are as progressive as we would like to believe and Ravi is a prime example. I have never heard of an act so immature.
Just as Ravi should suffer the full consequences of his stupid unnecessary actions, Zimmerman should face life in prison without the chance of parole. We are talking about two young lives here lost as the result of pure hate and intolerance. Why can't a homosexual be who they are without worrying about their roommates spying on them? There are gay people in this world; get over it!
Zimmerman may have claimed self-defense, but how can you claim self defense against an unarmed 17-year-old boy? Hate crimes are train wrecks that ruin the lives of many people, it is proof that we do indeed live in a cold world.
