Dear Brock Turner | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Dear Brock Turner

Was it worth it?

27
Dear Brock Turner
Business Insider

Dear Brock Turner,

So. . . what are you going to do now? I have to admit, I was not shocked at all by your early release. After receiving a measly six months jail sentence after assaulting an intoxicated woman behind a dumpster, and the sham that was your trial, I don't think anything can surprise me now.

After your trial showed that woman, and women everywhere, that they weren't important enough to fight for, I have to say that no, I am not surprised you are roaming the streets. I am not surprised that I've had a jar of peanut butter longer than you were in jail.

But that's not the point I'm trying to make. The question I'm trying to get the answer to is, where do you go from here? How do you move on from this? Do you go back to the scene of the crime, wandering the halls of Stanford and keeping a low profile for the next couple of years? Do you try to get a job, forgoing college and swimming all together?

How do you date, from here on out? Your name has become a household one in the most unfortunate manner. If you manage to meet a girl who doesn't recognize you, do you disclose your past on the first date? Or do you wait for her to start to care for you, and then make the her have the hard conversation of telling her who she's fallen in love with?

How does your family act around you? I'm genuinely curious. Do they see Brock, their son and friend, the little boy that used to run around in the sprinklers in the front yard? Or do they see a changed man, weighed down by the consequences of his actions, however light those consequences may be?

Ultimately, I want to know one thing--was it worth it? Was all of this worth, "20 minutes of action," as your father so eloquently put? Was this worth a lifetime slot on the sex offender registry? Was it worth the way people see you, the way they will always see you, for the rest of your life? Whether or not you have become a completely changed man, apologize and ask for forgiveness, and never cross that line again, you will always be seen for the actions you have committed. Was it worth it?

I don't ask these questions to make you feel bad. I don't hate you; you probably hate yourself, and that's worse than anything. I simply want you to think, for one minute, and ask yourself if all of this was worth it. My only hope is that, through the publicity of this trial (even excluding the light sentencing), other young men and women will think twice before taking advantage of the situation like you did. I pity you, and I pray that you find a way to live with this. Your victim will have to, for the rest of her life. I hope that you can learn from this, and be an example of how one bad decision can obstruct and decimate your life and the lives of those involved.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

155536
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

43367
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

38604
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments