I am a feminist, a young dreamer with ardent hopes about equality for all people regardless of social, racial, economic, or sexual identification and a young woman in college in the 21st century. I am angry, disappointed, afraid, disgusted, and hurt. I feel this way because Brock Turner has been given a six month sentence for sexually assaulting an unconscious woman.
Obviously, the emotions I feel are nothing compared to the victim and her family. In no way do I wish to diminish or underestimate the incredibly hurtful process that the victim and her family were forced to go through to earn a shred of justice in light of the horrific injustice brought upon her. But the victim doesn't need the incredibly personal details of her life spread across a page for all of the internet to judge. So I am going to try to discuss her in personal details as little as possible. I am also going to avoid addressing Brock Turner, because he doesn't need any more glorification than the internet is already giving him. The more I see his pretty boy smug across my Facebook page, the more I am realizing: once again, "he" wins.
Who is this "he?" The beautiful, wealthy, white, athletic man who continuously gets a pass because of his socioeconomic status and his membership in the cultural boys club that perpetuates rape culture in the United States. Fail a class? No problem. Rape someone? Lenient punishment. Prison could severely damage the man's life and eliminate the potential he once had, forget about how the crime he committed damages the woman's life and her own potential.
The lenient sentencing in the Turner case gives members of the cultural boys club justification in their actions from this point forward. It says, "Do whatever you want, take whatever you want, and there will be little to no punishment because you are privileged and have reached a certain point in food chain where you are the predator and everyone else is your prey." It scares me.
I am frustrated by the fact that there is a portion of of our society who consume this story (and story is a terrible word to use because this is a real event that happened in someone's life, and has been turned into a news spectacle for the consumer) who don't think Judge Persky's decision is wrong. Many of those people don't even think what Brock Turner did was wrong; the boys will be boys mentality exists and is running rampant in the wake of this case.
It scares me that people just don't get it. What does it matter if she was intoxicated? He assaulted her! Is there any excuse for assault? Ever? If your son was intoxicated and got punched in the face, would you say, "Well, he was intoxicated, so we can't really be sure what happened, even though he has bruises on his face and two men stopped his attacker, so we'll just let the attacker fill in." How is a rape any different? And why is there even inappropriate questioning, why does the victim need to be berated with questions that shake her confidence, make her feel invalid, and force her to relive traumatic events.
Unfortunately, here is what it all boils down to: women are still thought of as inferior to men in the United States in many situations. Their testimonies cannot be trusted because they are emotional, hormonal, promiscuous, "asking for it." Guys are excused for being sexually forward because they are just being boys, following their natural instincts. Girls are punished for being promiscuous, made to feel guilty for exploring and expressing their own sexuality. Turner has a six-month long sentence because prison will severely damage his life; the victim barely receives justice despite the fact that her life has been damaged and changed in a way that may never be repaired.
I am pursuing a career in women's reproductive health. I hope to be a champion for young women who do not have access to the resources necessary to understand their bodies and their rights. But it's times like these that scare me and shake my steadfast confidence and belief in the career that I truly hope to pursue. I am so beyond frustrated!
What will it take for the judicial system in this country to bring justice to the thousands of girls on college campuses every year who are sexually assaulted who never even receive a hearing? What will it take for the judicial system to recognize rape and sexual assault as a serious crime, regardless of socioeconomic status, and bring justice to victims, put their rapists and assaulters away for life? The Turner case exposes serious flaws in the judicial system and American culture, and puts the spotlight on the necessity for a change across the nation. I only hope that someone, somewhere, will heed my, and many other women and men across the nation's calls.
