Brock Turner Is A Rapist: The Issue Of Rape Culture In College
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Brock Turner Is A Rapist: The Issue Of Rape Culture In College

Rape culture is a serious matter going on in colleges across America. We need to talk about it.

48
Brock Turner Is A Rapist: The Issue Of Rape Culture In College
Patheos

On January 18, 2015, a young woman decides to go a party to spend the last day with her younger sister before the latter goes back to school. She planned to just have fun and probably embarrass her sister like any older sibling enjoys doing. She was enjoying herself by letting her guard down. She "drank liquor too fast not factoring in that her (my) tolerance had significantly lowered since college." Then she was on a gurney, covered in dried blood and bandages. What happened? Who did this? And why?

Brock Turner was a freshman at Stanford University. 19-years-old. A collegiate swimmer, who was an All-American and was highly recruited for his swimming accomplishments. He could have been in the 2020 Olympics. His life was on a high road before he decided to ruin it by his disgusting decision: he raped the mentioned woman, who was unconscious, behind a dumpster.

Turner was caught by two bikers, Carl-Fredrik Ardnt and Peter Johnson who witnessed Turner's assault, tackled Turner, called the police and stayed on him until police arrived. The assailant charged with three counts of sexual assault and was found guilty, but the case got very disrespectful. Dan Turner, Brock's father, also wrote a letter to Judge Persky to defend his son. He noted his son's high GPA, athletic ability, and how the case devastated his child. "Now, he barely consumes any food and eats only to exist," he said. "That is a steep price to pay for 20 minutes of action out of his 20 plus years of life." This excerpt was released to the public, which caused outrage on social media. The judge of the case, Aaron Persky, only gave Turner a six month jail sentence. The account of the action, Turner would have gotten 14 years, but Judge Persky cited his decision to reduce the sentence, saying, "A longer sentence would have a severe impact," on the student, even after listening to the victim's letter in court. Her case was left with no justice.

Rape culture is an issue going on in many universities and colleges across the United States. Even HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) have it bad right along PWIs (Predominately White Institutions). Some victims don't speak out because of their attacker's status at the school, fear of disbelief and worse, blame. When victims speak out, they are too often slammed with the fact that their attacker can buy their way to freedom. It is also a race issue also explained in a episode of HBO's "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel" on the story of Marcus Dixon. This issue is often swept under the rug to save an university's reputation as they're suppose to care about the safety of students. This issue was perfectly addressed by the people of VICE.

This whole trial was very irritating and ludicrous to me, so I decided to address everyone involved.

To Brock Turner, I am disgusted with you. When you put in your letter that "party culture," "peer pressure" and "drinking" were the reason for your actions, I wanted to punch you in the mouth. How could you? Nobody in that frat party told you to doing anything to that woman. Don't feed me that BS, when you decided to permanently destroy her life. You spoke about how you are not a swimmer or a student anymore and how that hurt you so, but dear sir, you wasn't thinking about none of that when you decided to be a monster. You are a disgusting prick because you didn't take responsibility for your actions. You're a rapist because it was your choice and I hope karma will find you in jail.

To Dan Turner, have you no shame. Do you have a daughter? I hope not because your comment about why is he suffering for 20 minutes is sickening! I understand that you are hurt for your son, but Mr. Turner, do have morals? Your son raped someone. He ruined his own life. He didn't think about the consequences. He is an adult, who was able to make his own decision. When he turned 18, you are no long responsible of what your son does. I'm sorry, but it's the truth. This father, John Pavlovitz, wrote a eloquent letter to him and that sums up my feelings.

To Judge Aaron Persky, you are a disgrace to the judicial system. When did we start giving a damn about the assailant's feelings? So what are those six months going to do? What if he does it again? Then what? Those 10 to 14 years would have taught him a lesson. Rapists are the lowest humans and you basically gave him freedom. Piper Chapman from Orange is the New Black had more time in jail and she just was an assistant to a drug trade! I can't fathom your thought process, he is a sex offender and you're an idiot. Karma will get you just like the woman jurors of the Trayvon Martin case.

To Carl-Fredrik Ardnt and Peter Johnson, you are heroes and your actions are greatly appreciated as there is not a lot of people like you, unfortunately. You are the greatest.

To the victim, you became a voice to the voiceless. I am sorry that you had to go through this hideous ordeal, but know this: nobody blames you. I am not going to fault you for enjoying yourself. Nobody thinks that they would be ever be taken advantage of, but you made damn sure you would not be a victim. You said that you remain anonymous because, "I am every woman," and you wanted to come "out to you as simply a woman wanting to be heard.” You opened a swept topic to the masses and because of you, more woman may come out more to address their assaults, especially on college campuses. I respect you. I pray for blessings. My sister, karma will come to him.

This is an issue. We need to start talking about this more on college campuses. No more staying quiet. We have to make sure students are safe.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

90795
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

62623
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments