There's a need for an exploration of the kind of social system that allows and gives audacity to a father to write the kind of letter Brock Turner’s father did. It’s an ugly system that shows up everywhere – you’re probably familiar with it – and it’s called white privilege. It’s what scores the white rapist of an unconscious woman a light sentence of six months because a lengthier one would be “too much for him”. It is what makes the judge assume Brock will "not be a danger to others". It is also what provides boldness for his father to write a letter fighting against the measly six months his criminal son received, and this is what my focus is.
In this ridiculous letter, his father states that Brock’s welcoming smile, which I saw a lot of in the social media posts that have been circulating, has been "deeply altered by the events". And it breaks my heart too. It breaks my heart that I saw his graduation picture repeatedly instead of his mugshot which is what has been used for every other male who is black instead. It breaks my heart that the headlines of this story chorused the fact Brock was a Stanford athlete when headlines just last week brought to light the criminal history of the man whose son fell into Harambe’s enclosure. It breaks my heart that he "barely consumes any food" now because surely his rape victim has fully regained her normal self and eats her favorite foods. Is it at all fair that a rapist’s family has been shattered by his crime? Is this America?
Well yes. This is America because America's justice system is biased and administers repercussions based on the criminal's identity. Rape victims suffer long-term problems like serious anxiety, nightmares, and depression that get worse without treatment. If it were up to me, all rapists would get life in the slammer but here am I reading a letter that pleads for probation instead. Papa Brock also makes sure to let us know that having to register as a sexual offender will change his son’s life forever. He claims his son should be punished with educating other young people but about what exactly? The privilege is obviously strong in this one as he simultaneously ignores the victim's pain and passes his son as the injured one. He goes on to suggest alternative punishments for his son as if the victim gets to pick and choose the effects she will face from now on.
It is so important that there is a collective outrage at the ruling of this case and at the father for seeing no issue in calling for a reduction of this sentence. He is clearly a parent who raised his child with a sense of entitlement and all that needs to stop. Privilege is alive and real and this is a great example that belongs in the textbooks.
