Richmond High Rape--What Do We Do With This?

Rape is a unique crime. Unlike other offenses, it is difficult to see any mitigating circumstances that would result in someone taking another person's humanity. There is nothing in our legal system that falls into the murky category of "justifiable rape."

Simply stated, rape is one of the most vile acts in our society. There is a Cro-Magnon characteristic that is beneath our postmodern culture.

The events last Saturday night at Richmond High School, in Richmond, CA, are a painful reminder that rape is not something exclusive to the days when cavemen walked the Earth some 30,000 years ago.

Richmond police believe as many as 20 people watched and reportedly cheered as a 15-year-old girl was robbed, beaten and gang-raped outside her high school homecoming dance.

What's most tragic, and leaves the community and the nation in disbelief, is that none of the onlookers felt compelled to do anything to stop this barbaric attack. The onlookers used their cell phones to take photos of the spectacle rather than use them to call police. When did rape become a spectator sport?

The imagery conjures memories of the gruesome photos of whites gleefully posing in front of black lynched bodies. It is the sense of elation rooted in profound hatred that is beyond comprehension for most humans.

The repeated assaults lasted more than two hours, until news of them reached someone's home several blocks from school, and a call to police was made.

What do we do this? It was not until someone at the scene had their fill of this uncivilized display, and decided to share the news with others, before it appeared to be something that warranted police involvement.

One local news broadcast suggested the crime was beyond the realm of the victim's faith community to provide an answer. It should be. Neither the faith community nor any other community can offer a definitive answer that unlocks the mystery of such a tragedy.

All faith can do is assist the community in navigating through this obvious absurdity of the human condition.

As of this writing, the victim remained hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. Five individuals -- two adults and three juveniles -- have been arrested and charged on suspicion of sexual assault and robbery.

Given that the attack occurred on school grounds raises questions as to whether Richmond High bears some responsibility. For its part, the school disgracefully released a statement suggesting that it is the parents' responsibility to ensure their children return home safely.

This pathetic attempt at damage control indicates Richmond High may be more concerned about its own vulnerability than figuring out what happened.

Moreover, it is doubtful that there will be the type of protests and demands for justice that occurred after Oscar Grant III was shot and killed by a BART police officer in the early morning hours of New Year's Day.

We do not need a repeat of the violent protests by those who used Grant's death as a justification for mayhem, but doesn't this case warrant similar demands for justice?

It's unfortunate, but our justice/injustice sensibilities seem to work best when the color lines are delineated by black and white. We are not nearly as impassioned when a case is blurred by gender, sexual orientation or when the assailant and victim are of the same race.

Some might suggest that had the victim not been drinking alcohol to excess, as it has been reported, none of this would have happened. Even if alcohol was consumed, since when does drinking too much justify taking someone's humanity?

This case is reflective of a societal breakdown that is not limited to the Richmond city limits. No community is immune, regardless of its demographics. Those arrested live in various communities, and only one thus far attended Richmond High.

Someone referred to these perpetrators as animals. They are not animals. I'm confident the uncivilized acts committed at Richmond High are beneath any behavior exhibited by my dog Zeus.

Byron Williams is an Oakland pastor and syndicated columnist and blog-talk radio host. He is the author of Strip Mall Patriotism: Moral Reflections of the Iraq War. E-mail him [e-mail] or visit his Web site:byronspeaks.com

Follow Byron Williams on Twitter: www.twitter.com/byronspeaks

Comments

[itolduso]

This year 4 million women will be abused in this country. We will not hear about most of them..... only the most horrific & outrageously abusive are considered 'newsworthy' in this day & age. One in five female high school students reports being physically and/or sexually abused by a dating partner (Journal of the American Medical Society,Vol. 286,No. 5, 2001) - it takes a 'gang-rape' of a 15 year old to make the news. I see church leaders & civic leaders lead rallys to protest violence in our schools, parks, and on the street..... but the violence didn't start there.... it started in the home. No body is talking about that. This country desperately needs courageous leaders to take a stand against domestic violence, because by the time it spills out into the street it is too late.

[Dr. Judith Rich - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear Reverend Williams,

My heart hurts for this young woman and her family. I pray for her physical healing and most of all, I pray that her heart and soul will someday be whole again. I pray that she is able to connect with the place in her that was not raped, and that the truth of her spirit, forever pure and unblemished, gives her the strength to go on with her life with courage and with grace.

I also hurt for the young men who so brutally attacked her and for all the people who stood by and did nothing. I hurt for them all and I pray for them all. How very lost they must be to commit such a heinous act. They now have to live with the consequences. Those who stood by and did nothing have to live with the knowledge they co-conspired with the attackers, in a way, they participated in the act. How anyone could do this is beyond me. Clearly they're not in their right minds.

I wonder what this says about our society and our culture that our young people today find this kind of activity "entertaining". Too many violent movies and video games? Do we no longer value human lives?

Rev. Williams, I live near Richmond. If there's anything I can do, please let me know. You can contact me at www.judithrich.com and leave a message.

Thank you for this sobering post.

Blessings,
Judith

I

[misanthrope26]

Art imitates life Doc. Before there was violence in books, movies, video games and other media, there was violence in real life. There is darkness in everyone. It's just a question of whether one will embrace it or repudiate it.

[Pippen]

Violent movies and games ?

Wrong.

Young people play all types of video games but if the games were about Mowing the Yard and Getting A Job I dont this influencing them to actually get off their ass and mow the yard or get a job. Therefore NO, it's not video games. It's failed parenting.

And to my knowledge, there arent any games sold about mowing the lawn, probably because no teenager would buy it.

[RMankovitz]

One wonders what the role model might be for this heinous behavior.

The only scenario that might come close would be the unthinkable hypothetical of people in a position of trust who abuse that position to systematically and repeatedly sexually abuse children in their care, while those in charge do nothing to stop it.

Of course, this could never happen in our society - not.

[h0tr0d]

I suggest there is no role model that would encourage this behavior. What it is an environment where there are no boundaries. Good fathers have always been boundary enforcers.

[h0tr0d]

I want to know how many of those involved have fathers in their life. This sounds like a bunch of gang bangers raised by single mothers. We need to stop glorifying single motherhood and denigrating fatherhood. Boys need fathers.

[dctackett]

excuse me, but I did not have a father and I am nothing like those guys.

sometimes the problem is that a boy HAS a father or other adult male influence...

if the older male influence is a peice of *you know what*... then usually the boy mimics the behavior and becomes it

[T Pol]

Thank you...children of both sexes need GOOD fathers, not just ANY father. Ditto for needing a GOOD mother.

But many a single mom has raised an exemplary kid. (Ditto many a single father.)

[feyangel]

Also, every guy that stood there and watched, laughed and cheered or took pictures and did nothing was an accomplice of the vile actions of those who raped and beat her.

[feyangel]

Also-- a couple second thoughts: I really appreciate males who are stepping forward right now to say how UNACCEPTABLE this sort of behavior is. Rape and violence against women is something that I feel not enough men step up and say NO to-- in our country and on an international level. Look at the way rape is being used in some countries as a way to control people and to make political supremacy statements. If men just shrug their shoulders at that (cos it is not happening here in our political climate??) what message are our young men receiving. WOMEN and women's organizations make a statement against this sort of behavior-- but a lot of men just seem to silently condone it. Men need to do just what you did here-- make a clear strong statement AGAINST such brutality.

These men took something away from this young woman that she will never get back, ever. The rageful place inside of me thinks "maybe these men should be chemically castrated--so that they can never use their male organs to hurt a woman again"-- since they clearly do not have hearts, minds and consciences that urge them to "do no harm." My Compassionate Heart has an aversion to such retaliatory actions-- but is it really "revenge" or simply appropriate consequences for appalling behavior.

[feyangel]

Great article-- and I agree with all points. I find myself haunted by this incident. I have four daughters so my empathy levels are high. How is she going to recover from this?? Emotionally, not just physically.
I am appalled. I have referred to the guys involved as animals-- crazed ones, damaged ones that should be put to sleep-- but you are right, I am not sure animals would behave that way. . . except maybe a pack of coyotes such as recently attacked and killed a different young girl.

My Heart goes out to the victim-- and I agree, so what if she over drank?! I believe she went out there with a young man she considered a "friend “ who should have protected her. And why should women have to be afraid and untrusting of men they are around, but don’t know, as this accusation towards her suggests we should be. Why weren't these young men, why aren’t OUR young men, instilled with values that would inspire them to be protective of women, and in this situation, this young woman, instead them being of vicious, violent, and violating???

I just don't get it-- and there is no possible excuse for these guys' behavior.

[Nancyok]

they are worse than the Coyotes. The Coyotes likely were driven by a hunger and instinct for survival. It wasn't natural behavior for these predators at all, but with a dwindling food supply or something infecting their brains, you can almost almost understand. But what these people did, both the perpetrators and the active observers was not driven by any human need or even a normal human desire. They are lower than any animal.

[Amy ODonnell]

AN OPEN LETTER TO TEENAGED BOYS FROM A FORMER TEENAGED GIRL.

Dear boys,

For every participant in this horrific crime, a defining moment in his life was cast.
The people who watched and did nothing don't get to go to trial and be judged by their peers. Instead these people will serve a life sentence for the lack of crimes they’ve committed. They will grow up, and become fathers to daughters knowing the same thing could happen to them. The guilt will be all consuming.
The victim is right now to you a faceless 15-year-old, but she represents all of us teenaged girls, past and present. All she wanted to do was look cool in front of a guy. Here’s a secret - that’s all we ever want to do. We are smarter and more mature than you, but we still love to be acknowledged by you. This was a defining moment to teenaged boys everywhere. Think about what you would/will do in the future. This, or something similar, no doubt will come up again in your life.
As a former teenaged girl, now a current adult woman, I assure you, the sexiest thing you can do is stand up for someone weaker than you when they are being wronged. This shows moral character and back bone and we think that is HOT. Don’t be afraid to be a man. We women need more of you!

Thank you,
Amy O'Donnell

[Dr. Judith Rich - Huffpost Blogger]

Beautiful, Amy.... so well said.

If what you just wrote was a petition, my name would be on it.

Judith Rich

[Amy ODonnell]

Thank you! The second I read about this on Tuesday I had to say something. This is the abridged version, but I've sent the original version to several papers around the country. So far, none of them have published it.

I think teenaged boys need to be reminded of their worth. I posted the original to my facebook page and I know several people have shared it. I just really want it to reach its intended audience - teenaged boys. A few of my high school teacher friends have posted it in their classrooms. Whatever small things we can do to keep this from happening again, you know? As they say, it takes a village!

[pennywhite]

The perpetrators and spectators of this atrocity did not take this young girl's humanity away. Her humanity remains fully intact, despite her shattered spirit. The rapists and spectators took their own humanity away, and they are much less likely to recover and lead a full life than is the child they violated.
This precious young girl will prevail, while the creeps who raped and humiliated her will remain in their own private hell. I hope the consequences they receive are sufficiently harsh, since people such as these are clearly motivated by self-interest rather than conscience.

[Pippen]

Not sure I agree with the author in the suggestion this is a "Societal breakdown" across commuity lines.

This seems to be fairly routine news in some areas of the country.

".........The imagery conjures memories of the gruesome photos of whites gleefully posing in front of black lynched bodies......"

And why he uses this referrence to set a tone for what appears to be South American and Mexican ethnicity is obtuse.

Parents should be on trial also here, everyone linked to this crime in any way should be on a witness stand whether they are charged or just questioned. They need to be on record in front of the community explaining how they failed this young girl.

We do have a sense of justice in this country and we do believe in right and wrong and from the reports it looks as though law enforcement is pursuing this crime thoroughly.

My question is where was local law enforcement ? When I went to the prom and homecoming there were both law enforcement officers and school guards foot patrolling the parking lot and sidewalks.

[dctackett]

I agree, this is not as rare an event as it is made out to be... I think many people somehow never realized that we are animals... possibly because we have been trained to believe that we are something else, seperate from the natural world.

There has been great advancement, but there will always be events like this happening... Most seem to be satisfied with superficial advancement and superficial goodness. As long as we fail ourselves, eachother and those we bring into this life we will continue to hear of, witness and experience such happenings.

[Byron Williams - Huffpost Blogger]

It is only obtuse if one is focused on the predictable paradigm of melanin rather than the evil embedded in the act. Examine the photos from yesteryear of those smiling with glee as a body hangs lifeless from a tree. Then try to imagine the rape and beaten that the victim sustained for 150 minutes, with what seems to be a mixed race of onlookers cheering using their cell phones as cameras rather than a device to notify police and tell me there is not a comparison. Failed attempts at erudition can also leave one vulnerable to charges of being unwise and insensitive.

[B Traven]

Byron Williams wrote: "Failed attempts at erudition can also leave one vulnerable to charges of being unwise and insensitive." His comment in its entirety is the best illustration of that principle that I've encountered lately. Less pomposity, dubious comparisons and fewer polysyllables would make Mr. Williams a better columnist. This story concerns the brutalization of a young girl who should have been safe to go to a school dance. Neither Oscar Grant nor historic lynching have a place in it, but it does leave Mr. Williams open to a charge of being "focused on the predictable paradigm of melanin."

[DariaC]

It should be a crime in every state to document a crime in text, photo, video or verbally and not report it to police. The person should be considered part of the perpetrators as the team documentor.

[Pippen]

Failed attempts at erudition ?

Are you being condescending ? Ok, I'll let it slide since you took the time to work up the article but only once.

I do see the evil inherent in the act(s) of the onlookers and the perps. The onlookers were acting in an evil manner. I agree whole heartedly. What that has to do with historical lynch mobs I'm not sure.

This community is overwhelmingly South American and Mexican first generation immigrants acting out on a member of their own community. Not because she's different but because she's vulnerable. There's a difference. Communities around globe have a history of victimizing "the new guy" who is competing for resources. They don't have a history of just being plain evil because someone is vulnerable. The relation does not corelate for my "erudition".

There is a degrading element in alot of communities in this country but its less about "those who were here first vs. those new guys" and more about a failed erudition of morals and ethics and education by parents.

[Maya68]

I cried when I saw this on the news. How have we come to this state as humans? If I were the parent of one of those kids who stood by and watched, how could I face myself ever again..... after all isn't it my upbringing or lack of it that let my child find pleasure in such a terrible depravation?
For a few generations now, somewhere along the line, the synapses for decency have dwindled. It takes constant effort to build, sustain, create and care for anybody or anything whereas to destroy faith,trust, love, life,relationships, buildings, anything takes mere minutes. Not only have most of us forgotten this but many never begin or get the chance to learn the former but only know the latter.
I wish the young girl courage and strength to get past her ordeal.

[dctackett]

This is such a horrible event.

But this is not new and not some sort of degrading of society of the past few generations... this type of thing has always been happening, whether or not the story of it spreads to others... and yes, upbrining plays a large part in this, but don't discount the fact that we are animals and the ability for these behaivors resides in who and what we are... in other words, if humans are left to grow wild, without structure, they will be wild.

[njborne]

Everyone's to blame and no one's the blame... It's simply tragic that those who viewed this 'taking of this girl's humanity" thought it okay to view it without rendering help or calling for help. They enjoyed it! They enjoyed it. Playing the what if game...what if this girl had died? ...what if this happened to their sisters? ...what if the father came up and shot everyone? ...and to think some of them were her friend. Words cannot express the anger many Americans feel. But I can only imagine how hard it is to describe how this girl is handling this tragic incident. May God bless this child and her family. I pray that her mind and body regain strength.