Homophobic bully found guilty on all counts

Glenda Rasdunik wrote:

.  I suspect that had Clementi not killed himself, or if Clementi was heteroseual, they wouldn't have been as harsh with him.  Or for that matter, if Ravi were an ordinary white guy.

The fact that he committed suicide was not officially a factor in the case but the massive outcry over what happened may have put pressure on teh prosecutors to pursue the case and lay the charges that they did. And, no, if it was a heterosexual encounter, it would not have been nearly as harsh because it would lack the "bias intimidation" factor which is what aggravates the initially minor charge (invasion of privacy). Just like a minor crime of graffiti (say spraypainting your name on the side of a wall) would be far more harsh if you were to spray paint a swastika on the side of a synagogue, since that would count as "bias intimidation."

I agree with Patrick Mahoney, in terms of the severity of the crime. Bullying like this, yeah, I could see checking out, stone cold sober, especially if I was a young person with a brain that is still developing - public disclosure of private pleasures like this causes immeasurable suffering on young people and the bully knows it, that's why that technique is chosen. The victims don't have the coping skills of a mature person who is at peace with their sexuality, regardless of sexual inclination. I say this knowing bullies can detect prey. I say throw the book at him, but afterwards, if you want to save his soul, that kid is going to need to be educated about how diversity makes for a more pleasant place to live. Putting him to death might feel good to contemplate but I doubt it would be edifying.

I still don't feel like I have a clear picture of what happened, but a friend posted this, which provides some background and context beyond just the headlines that I'm most familiar with.

[url=http://www.thenation.com/blog/166902/tyler-clementi-and-dharun-ravi-we-w... Tyler Clementi and Dharun Ravi We Will Never Know[/url]

Reflecting on Dharun Ravi’s conviction

Quote:

In Ravi’s trial, the jury concluded that Ravi neither intended to intimidate Clementi nor believed that his acts would make Clementi feel intimidated because of his sexuality. Yet, the jury did conclude that, based on computer evidence, Clementi probably felt intimidated because of his sexuality.

As someone who wants to rid the world of homophobia, this conviction leaves me devastated. I recognize the symbolic move that this is supposed to make. This is supposed to signal that homophobia will not be tolerated. But Ravi wasn’t convicted of being homophobic, but, rather, creating the “circumstances” in which Clementi would probably feel intimidated. In other words, Ravi is being punished for living in a culture of homophobia even though there’s little evidence to suggest that he perpetuated it intentionally. As Mary Gray has argued, we are all to blame for the culture of homophobia that has resulted in this tragedy.

I can’t help but think of Clementi’s parents in light of this. By all accounts, their reaction to their son’s confession that he was gay did more to intimidate Clementi based on his sexuality than Ravi’s stupid act. Yet, I can’t even begin to imagine that the court would charge, let alone convict, Clementi’s distraught parents of a hate crime. ::shudder::

I can’t justify Ravi’s decision to invade his roommate’s privacy, especially not at a moment in which he would be extremely vulnerable. I also cannot justify Ravi’s decision to mess with evidence, even though I suspect he did so out of fear. But I also don’t think that either of these actions deserve 10 years of jail time or deportation (two of the options given to the judge). I don’t think that’s justice.

This case is being hailed for its symbolism, but what is the message that it conveys? It says that a brown kid who never intended to hurt anyone because of their sexuality will do jail time, while politicians and pundits who espouse hatred on TV and radio and in stump speeches continue to be celebrated. It says that a teen who invades the privacy of his peer will be condemned, even while companies and media moguls continue to profit off of more invasive invasions.

I wasn't. Anyway, whether he's personally homophobic or not, Ravi reasonably ought to have known that homophobic intimidation was a likely outcome of what he did.

Dharun Ravi sentenced to 30 days in prison

Quote:

In a rather lenient sentencing, a New Jersey judge sentenced Dharun Ravi to 30 days in jail also suggesting that he not be deported. A probationary sentence for Ravi, who earlier this year was convicted of bias intimidation and a handful of other hate crimes for bullying his Rutgers roommate Tyler Clementi. Why did they throw the book at him? Because shortly after Ravi had broadcast Clementi’s affairs online–Clementi committed suicide.

This case has been provocative and the outcome unsettling. Long sentences are rarely effective, deportation inhumane and we can pretty much guarantee that Dharun Ravi will never bully someone again. But we will also never know exactly why Tyler Clementi committed suicide, or what he went through. His family will never get to see him again and he won’t be graduating college or get another chance. And another young man lost his life most likely because of a culture of homophobia–where he didn’t feel safe. So unsafe that he took his own life.