New Year, Same Story: Same Crime, Different Charges

It's less than a week into the New Year and already we're seeing the same issues of unequal treatment and harsher punishment of P.O.C. when it comes to the American justice systems. On January 5 the news story began circulating of four Chicago youths who Facebook live streamed themselves attacking and tormenting a special needs teenager. Undoubtedly this is a terrible act, and all individuals involved should be punished for their actions. However, examining the case one can't help but notice a stark contrast to a similar case from last year involving similar circumstances with the only difference initially being the race of the attackers.

On October 23, 2015, an Idaho mentally disabled teenager was attacked by three of his peers – R.K. Howard (18), Tanner Ward (17), and an unnamed juvenile- following the team's football practice. Not only did the three teens physically assault the young man, but also sexually violated him with a coat hanger. Ward initiated the attack while Howard (pictured above) kicked the coat hanger several times while it was inserted into the victim’s rectum. It was an equally horrible and aggressive act, with stark unexpected results. Just last December, Howard reached a plea deal to avoid jail time despite his heinous crime. While initially charged with sexual penetration by use of a foreign object, Howard (miraculously) was able to plead to felony injury to a child and will receive only two to three years of probation and community service.

As swiftly as the story circulated, the four Chicago teens have been detained and each charged with a hate crime, felony aggravated kidnapping, aggravated unlawful restraint and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Their arrest took less than a day. The investigation involving Howard and company lasted several months before any charges were officially filed. In case you haven’t concluded, Howard is white while the four teens are African American.

The contrast between Howard's charges and that of the four Chicago individuals is alarming but not surprising when examining the recent string of charges reduced or dismissed against individuals who commit crimes against African American. Howard (and likely Ward) will be released back into society having learned nothing from his actions and likely to enact his hateful views and thoughts on others in the near future. The four Chicago teens, however, are highly likely to be processed and sent to prison without any type of rehabilitation, despite the chances that each were/are special needs students.

I want to remain hopeful that 2017 will be the year that equality will be incorporated into the notion of American justice for all but it is undoubtedly past due time to reconstruct our American justice system, because until we do it fails us all. 

The Coldest Spring

I once was the target of a bully.
But this bully was no schoolyard rival after homework and lunch money,
It was a man after my heart.

It began as warm and delicate as spring.
A blossoming love affair, complete with smooth kisses and serenades.
He embraced me so warmly
I removed all the layers I had built.

I was in love.

My love was met with his lust
Hard, long, powerful thrusts.
I found his passion to be as scorching
As July's sun.
First, he stole my heart
Then he captured my trust.
I was mesmerized by such esteem
That I fooled myself into believing he was the man of my dreams.

I ignored the subtle changes
Which accompanied his demeanor
Busy hoping things would get better.
I laughed when he called me a punk,
Jeans too tight to be worn in his family's sight 

the first glimpse of my beautiful golden world 

changing to dimmer, darker phases.

I cried when he called me a faggot!
The harsh sting of a brittle wind of change distorted my world.
A catalyst for colder events.

A push here, a fist there
Love never felt so cold.
Just be a man! Stop those tears!
Words so harsh they left bruises no hand could ever make.

How did it get so far?

These blossomed lips no longer dripped
Sweet honey kisses, but gushed hot blood.
Eyes that once embraced bright sunny skies only sought overcast, dim lit worlds.

Pulling off these clothes and looking at this bruised and bleeding image, I wonder, when did this become me?
Taunted by the reflection of a slumbering body peacefully smiling.
How could someone I love make a heaven of my Hell?
Bags packed but nowhere to go, I weep
At the realization of my resolve.
I've found my spring
It's just a little cold.

Skin Only Gets So Thick

My Muse has been putting in overtime this weekend. I’m going to have to give her a tip. Here I am, yet again, giving my limitless insight into yet another issue among society. As long as there are school children there will be bullying. Let me reiterate, as long as there is ignorance in the world there will be bullies. Bullying stems from individuals who have been taught to ostracize those who are different, an aspect that is learned not inherited. This is learned by youths who parents teach intolerance and understanding instead of love and compassion. It is a vicious cycle that I am ashamed to say made its way into the 21^st century.

Moving right along, bullying is nothing new but when you view the alarming rise of suicides among LGBT youths it shines a new light and degree or severity that bullying takes on a person. Hence why I am so concerned at one person’s comment about the subject, “When I was growing up you developed a thick skin and took what life dished out. Somehow we need to pass this on to our youth."

Okay, this bothered me on many and I do mean MANY different levels. First let me state that when it comes to bullying I am very sensitive because I have firsthand experience with the situation. I was not per say bullied, but I was harassed and teased and the effects are ALL the same. But let’s make this less about me and more about the situation at hand. One can never develop a “tough” enough skin to deal with an onslaught of harassment on a day to day basis for something as simple as how he or she looks.

 What such a comment suggests to me is that harassment is simply a way of life that should be gotten used to. That is a major misconception! No one anywhere, whether they are gay or straight, should ever have to become comfortable with being harassed or tormented by an individual.

Suggesting that individuals develop a “thick skin” and take what life dishes out is a very ignorant statement. In layman terms, such a statement translates to, “learn to deal with the hate and abuse. It is a part of life.” This is certainly not true and I think that anyone that feels this is true has some dark and hidden issues with themselves.

When we examine the alarming rates of teen suicides, especially among homosexual youths, the severity of the issue becomes especially clear. Bullying is a serious issue that has dire consequences. LGBT youths are four times more likely to commit suicide in comparison to their heterosexual counterparts. Being gay and finding the strength to embrace one's sexuality is hard enough to deal with, without the added pressure of being bullied and harassed on a daily basis by peers and sometimes parents.

Instead of prompting youths to “toughen up” we all should embrace our youths and teach them to be comfortable with themselves and others. We should teach them understanding, compassion, tolerance and respect. No matter one's religious background, upbringing, and sexuality, at the end of the day we are ALL humans and the only thing we want is to be loved.