White privilege. We know a great number of our readership are absolutely sick and tired of hearing about the term. While part of my conscience empathizes with that assessment to some extent, the term itself cannot be escaped simply by wishing we all lived in a world where white privilege could be replaced by American privilege or human privilege.
However, when a country constantly crows about its position as the leader of the free world, the favorable treatment often bestowed upon its white male citizens is in stark contrast to the historic treatment endured by a great many of its minorities of color.
Last year, we reported on the trial of former Stanford swimmer Brock Turner. The disgusting details of his then alleged crime were so abhorrent, his fathers stance on womanhood nearly Neolithic, it was all but predicted that Turner would get off lightand he did just that. He was sentenced to a measly six months for raping an unconscious woman and being caught in the act by two Stanford students.
New Details Revealed in Stanford Sexual Assault Case
ABC News obtained documents, photos that paint a different portrait of Brock Turner than what his defense team presented in court and a key witness shares his story.
Just when we thought this story would just disappear under the weight of an ever-revolving news cycle, Turner is back, much to everyones chagrin. According to a CBS affiliate in San Francisco, Turner requested his sexual assault conviction be overturned because his trial was fundamentally unfair. Because of that he believes he was denied the right to a free trial.
Last year, Turner was convicted in Santa Clara County Superior Court on three felony counts of assault against a woman who was unconscious from intoxication in a field outside of a frat house at the university.
Initially sentenced to six months in prison, Turner only served three months due to good behavior. His representation is arguing that Judge Persky, the same judge that gave him such a light sentence, denied him the right to present evidence of his good character and that there was insufficient evidence on all three counts against him. A sticking point for Turners representation is the idea that the assault took place behind a dumpster, instead of in a field behind a frat house.
Though any logical person would know that the location of an assault does not make it more or less likely to be convicted, Turners attorney Eric Multhaup believes the prosecutors insistence upon stating that the assault took place in a squalid and hidden area makes a big difference. The imagery created was “…both factually unsupportable and malevolently designed to taint the jury, Turners attorney Eric Multhaup wrote in the appeal.
The appeal could take a year to be resolved. If overturned, the DA could seek a new trial, which poses a risk of Turner being convicted anew and forced to serve an even heavier sentence. A major bone of contention for Turner and his representatives is Turner having to register as a sex offender.
Mother Shields Brock Turner As He Registers As Sex Offender In Ohio | NBC News
Ex-Stanford University student Brock Turner registered as a sex offender in his hometown of Bellbrook, Ohio, days after he left a California jail after serving three months for felony sexual assault. ” Subscribe to NBC News: http://nbcnews.to/SubscribeToNBC ” Watch more NBC video: http://bit.ly/MoreNBCNews NBC News is a leading source of global news and information.
Now, looking at this from a black lens, a six-month conviction of which only three months was served would be a godsend for some. As you may or may not know, the criminal justice system doesnt like black or brown people very much. But this is where white privilege comes in.
When the allegations came to light, Turners father was famously, and sickeningly, quoted as saying his sons six month conviction was a steep price to pay for 20 minutes of action.
Apparently, Judge Persky, a Stanford alumnus himself, agreed.
In certain areas, black and brown men expect to be locked up on false or misleading charges. It has become a generational way of life. So, when I see a person who was given a favorable sentence while sharing multiple social identifiers with the judge and prosecution (white, male, Stanford, affluent), it reeks of favoritism, it reeks of privilege. And when I see the benefactor of said privilege balk at his own good fortune, Im reminded of just how much different justice looks for someone like Turner, and someone who looks like me.
American justice is not blind, she is very selective.
Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen said in a statement, Brock Turner received a fair trial and was justly convicted. His conviction will be upheld.
