The number of demeaning and hate-filled phrases used to describe Brock Turner, and the situation he has caused, seems limitless. Media feeds are filled with news articles, personal opinions and letters towards the 19-year-old boy caused life-altering trauma to an unconscious girl. Of everything I have read, I've failed to find a single word written in a considerate or compassionate context relating to Turner; each article I have come across reflects the author's low-tolerating, disgust-filled and aggressive opinions him. Do I believe there has been injustice? Yes. Does my heart hurt for the girl who can barely stand her own body or hear herself think? Absolutely. On the other hand, do I believe Brock Turner deserves endless hostility towards him such as wishing he would die, hate himself for eternity, or always think of himself as only a rapist? Definitely not.
Here is where the controversy begins.
"Why would you defend his actions, statements, or early release in any way?" "Don't you understand this crime was done to a fellow female?" "Brock deserves everything her is getting." I imagine reading statements such as these when I say I believe Brock Turner deserves grace, the same as every other human being.
The situation is clear as day: a girl's life was flipped upside down in a matter of 20 minutes. She has relived that specific night over a million times through court, online versions and her broken self. For her, nothing will be the same. Through her well-written, emotional and honest letter to Turner, I felt distraught, heartbroken, anger and more sadness than words can describe. For her, the mind will play tricks: men will always pose a threat, her personality traits will continue to waiver and her body won't ever feel whole as it once was. Her story will not be recorded, justice will not be served and defeat will bring itself to the surface; however, this is all said and done. Turner was released and there is no changing the outcome.
Why do I believe ruthless articles, protesting and threats towards Turner and his family are completely unnecessary? Because he is human. There is not one, not one, person who can say they have never made a mistake; not one individual can prove they are remotely perfect. Members of society often have the mindset of, "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth". If this saying applies, Turner deserves a lifetime of hatred and suffering, right? I believe this ideology is selfish and destructive. What happen to a life lived according to the Golden Rule? "Do onto others as you would have them do unto you", have we forgotten that is how we were raised?
People will make the remarks, "If Brock didn't live according to rule, why do we need to abide by it?" "He acted selfishly, he deserves everything he is getting." Does he deserve punishment by the court? Yes. Does he deserve punishment by Stanford? Yes. Does he deserve punishment through himself? Yes, or else, how will he learn? But does he deserve punishment by people who are not a part of the situation; those who share their feelings in order to cause more pain? Not in any way.
The situation Brock put himself in was not a side effect of heavy alcohol consumption; the situation was caused by his mental state, internal beliefs and previous life experiences. Do I know this for sure? Obviously not. The same goes that I do not now how his victim will recover over the rest of her life.
My point is, Brock Turner does not deserve hate from the entirety of the world for the rest of his days; he does not deserve to be ripped apart by individuals from across the country who barely understand the situation. (I can hear people thinking, "Sounds like you barely understand the situation yourself, Kennedy..." Yet I've done my extensive research.) Hundreds or thousands of articles, (which he will probably never read, by the way) demanding he burn in hell, hate himself or never see himself as good again is not what people should spend their time doing. Such actions only affect others in a negative manner, what is the point in all of these?
Brock Turner is out. He has not learned his lesson, but only time will tell. He will spend the rest of his life with his decisions; he will never escape the horror that was his "20 minutes of action." Brock Turner is hated, he was foolish, but he deserves the grace which seems to be lacking in society today; a grace that is compassionate, understanding and selfless. Grace from those, directly and indirectly, affected by his actions, filled with disgust, rage, and hard hearts.
I'm not telling you grace is absolutely necessary at this moment, but I'm asking you to deeply consider it for Brock Turner and others who will do you wrong in the future.
Liars, cheaters, rapists, thieves and every single person who has ever messed up deserves a punishment, yet they also deserve a chance to change; they need mercy and grace people believe they are undeserving of.
So I say to you, what will you do with your words? Will you bleed hate or will you have grace to build others up? Be forgiving. Be understanding. Most importantly, treat others how you would like to be treated.
