Editorial: Tyler Clementi - when Bullying Over Sexuality Goes Too Far
What was Thought to Be an Innocent Prank Ends in Tragedy
The catalyst igniting this tragedy was an invasion of privacy. An intimate encounter between Tyler and another young man was recorded by his roommate, then broadcasted all over the web. The entire world is now privy to his private and personal lifestyle. His roommate Dharun Ravia fellow Rutgers freshman Molly Wei, both 18, has been charged for invading Clementi's privacy. Some say if this had been a young man and women in an intimate encounter it would have been less dramatic however gay rights student organizations are infuriated by this incident. They say Tyler Clementi's suicide makes him a national example of a problem they are increasingly working to combat: young people who kill themselves after being bullied and tormented over their sexuality.
Sadly this is not the first case of gay/lesbian/bisexual individuals being hurt, killed or driven to suicide by bigoted, small minded, hate-mongering groups. One of the most publicized cases was a young college student named Matt Shepard. While attending the University of Wyoming he was beaten to death by two anti-gay men. Shepard met Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson at the Fireside Lounge in Laramie, Wyoming. McKinney and Henderson offered Shepard a ride in their car. After Shepard said that he was gay, the two men robbed, pistol-whipped, and tortured him and tied him to a fence in a remote, rural area, leaving him to die.
The legal system states: "Collecting or viewing sexual images without consent is a fourth-degree crime. Transmitting them is a third-degree crime with a maximum prison term of five years." But what happens when the individuals being bullied end their lives. What happens when the cruel actions of bullies drive their victims to suicide? Should they be charged with murder? Should laws mandate first degree murder? Would stringent laws and severe criminal penalties deter potential bullies from committing these acts of vicious harassment? What if the victims had been Muslim, Black or Hispanic? Would our legal system handle this situation differently? One can only speculate the outcome.
I realize most of these questions and statements are debatable nevertheless; bringing them to the table for general discussion and educational discourse may help to develop tolerance, respect and understanding for one another before our only recourse is suicide and murder.
Source(s)
http://www.npr.org/TylerClementi
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Shepard
Published by Deb Martin-Webster
Originally from Pennsylvania, author/artist Deb Martin-Webster and her British husband Pete, currently live on a small farm near the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina. They enjoy the simplicity of their... View profile
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10 Comments
Post a CommentThank you Nicole. I struggled with the term "innocent" as I truly believe it was malicious, but from my years as Director of Student Life and Services, freshman still high school seniors [mentally] until they become sophomores. For some students the concept that their thoughtless actions have severe repercussions is not fully developed. I appreciate your comment and your support.
Thank you for your coverage of this important issue.
I've always wondered...where are the parents on both sides. Parents should teach their children not to bully, but also that if they are bullied, to come to them for support and guidance.
Great job totally agree with your comment Becky important article.
Bullying anyone for whatever reason should not be tolerated, period. Very sad.
Bre, I understand what you are saying. I can't tell you how many student university disciplinary hearings I've sat through listening to students say, "I'm so sorry I didn't know it would end like this, it was just suppose to be funny." Knowing all along it was meant to be hateful and degrading. I do not condone harassment of any sort. I respect your feedback. I hope it brings more open dialog about this tragic event. Thanks you.
Such a sad and tragic situation. My heart and prayers are with the family of Tyler.
Who are you to conclude that this was an innocent prank? I think it was quite deliberate, methodical, thoughtless, perverted and in complete and total disregard for those being exposed on the video. Tell me where the innocence is in what they did?? What could have been another outcome from such behavior. Those voyeur's who rigged the room with web cams seem to be to be nothing more than a couple of sick individuals coming from privileged lifestyles, raised with no morals or values.
It is so tragically sad that Tyler took his life at a time when he probably felt a little more free and "safe" to be able to live the lifestyle that he was most likely suppressing all through high school, until he met Dharun.....
This was a terrible incident. When will someone's sexuality not be an issue? You are right. If this was a heterosexual couple, no one would have thought to invade their privacy. I hope they charge the other two with something.
Great points Deb, tolerance, respect and undertanding is best taught at home during the potential bullys' emotional development, perhaps if more parents considered that there would be fewer tragedies as we now hear of so often!