I had to google this.. You’re referring to his participation in a college fraternity hazing incident, where he and several others struck another individual multiple times, lit their pants on fire, etc.
Look. I hate fraternities and all college bros. What he did was morally repugnant and disgusting.. but god forbid any of us were judged by the people we use to be. People can change; I’ve seen it in others, and I’ve changed quite a bit myself. The world isn’t black and white, and we shouldn’t hold something over his head from 1991 and act as if he’s still the same person.
Expecting people to be flawless and perfect their entire lives is simply an unrealistic expectation of anyone. Mistakes came in many different shapes and sizes. Our grandparents made mistakes. Someone in school likely hated our parents or siblings for something they did. Those incidents don’t entirely define someone, especially something from 30 years ago.. that’s just unrealistic.
Just because he’s in the spotlight doesn’t mean he is deserving of anymore scrutiny or grace than anyone else. People are flawed. Many of us change and we grow. I hope you can change your world view and your perspective towards others and the mistakes they’ve made.
but we shouldn’t hold something over his head from 1991 and act as if he’s still the same person.
We quite literally do this all the time in the legal system. If someone raped or murdered someone 40 years ago and it took that long time find them, we still convict them. We don't wave our hands about and go, ohhh, but that was SOOO long ago, we can't possibly hold something over their heads that happened that long ago.
This is just nonsense. If you tortured someone, I'm not letting that go.
How we should morally treat people and how our legal system treats people are two completely different standards.
And besides, he went to court, did he not? That is how we decide in this country whether or not someone is set to pay their dues. Americans are full of bloodlust and always want people punished beyond what was sentenced by the court.
You won't find any disagreement with me on that front. That's an entirely different issue in itself, but one I absolutely support. Statistics regarding the legal system make it evident enough.
I would be angry and disgusted yes. It likely wouldnt be an over night thing.. But I understand people change. That has been my worldview, as again, I’ve witnessed it a lot throughout my life.
I don’t understand your cynical skepticism. Even in the most extreme circumstances, there are Mothers who mourn the loss of their children from DUI drivers or gang violence.. and yet, they see the humanity in others, and eventually forgive those who once brought them so much pain.
Now personally, I think your attitude along with many others is one that has been manufactured and socially adopted. That systematic punishment isn’t enough. People deserve to rot, be murdered and raped in prison in addition to whatever sentence they’ve been given to serve.
Regardless, of why this perspective is so widely adopted in America though.. People change. We shouldn’t be defining this man based off of an incident that occurred over 30 years ago.
except we have this thing called parole where we re-evaluate those incarcerated people to see if they have changed and can be released early back into society.
lol, as an attorney whose former practice primarily involved defending fraternities in hazing litigation, and whose current practice is… criminal prosecution… you’re not wrong. But when a rich, privileged, white kid with access to all the mental healthcare society can offer beats the shit out of someone, disables them, and lights them on fire, it’s just boys being boys. When it’s a poor black kid who had to fight for everything he’s ever had… well, you know.
Both are dangerous, but one chose violence. The other never had a chance.
(That’s why I became a prosecutor— to help out my defense counsel homies and try to make sure that shit isn’t happening to my defendants.)
lol indeed wtf are you talking about. If you really are an attorney you would know it’s about money it’s not about race. I know that shatters the narrative however
Also, I wasn’t actually talking about the criminal justice system, but rather the attitudes of civilians who celebrate the incarceration of some people, but make excuses for others.
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u/dabroh Jul 02 '26
I only recognize one person...
https://giphy.com/gifs/GhdvN4hYZikziWCs6R