Collegio Online readers write back
Issue date: 3/13/08 Section: Opinion
On 'Age of ignorance,' (3/6/08)
We must teach children acceptance, inclusion and equity of others in schools because it is quite obvious that they do not learn these attributes at home. The anti-gay violent murder of Lawrence King and suicide of Ryan Halligan should be a clarion call that our elementary and secondary schools be mandated to be open and safe to GLBTQ students, where anti-gay harassment and violence is not tolerated. Tens of thousands of schoolchildren across our country balance their true sexual orientation and gender identity with socially expected norms, and they see the silence of our elected officials and public leaders after Lawrence's execution. Lawrence was failed by his school and a society that condones anti-gay bigotry and openly practices exclusion, intolerance and inequality. Hate crime laws won't change this - we need to mandate change in our schools and we will have to fight to achieve this.
Bob Zuley
posted 3/07/08
There is no doubt that the murder of Larry King should be an affront to any human being. The potential that he was murdered simply due to his sexual orientation doubles the tragedy.
However, equally immoral and reprehensible is charging 14-year-old Brandon McInerney as an adult in the case. If he is guilty of the crime (an accusation which first needs to be proved) McInernery is still a child. It is utterly cruel to subject a boy so young with the potential of spending the remainder of his life in prison.
Sure, taking him away from society for a period is certainly justified, but the goal of such incarceration should be rehabilitation, counseling and education, NOT what amounts to a "living death sentence." His cruelty and crime, if he is guilty, needs to be answered with change ... not spending forever behind bars.
What better tribute to the beautiful life of Larry King than to effect change to the person who murdered him. Show Brandon McInerney that his rage against another boy's sexuality is wrong and then let him teach others. Do not throw this child's life away; do not double this tragedy by destroying TWO children.
John Paul Osborn
posted 3/06/08
We must teach children acceptance, inclusion and equity of others in schools because it is quite obvious that they do not learn these attributes at home. The anti-gay violent murder of Lawrence King and suicide of Ryan Halligan should be a clarion call that our elementary and secondary schools be mandated to be open and safe to GLBTQ students, where anti-gay harassment and violence is not tolerated. Tens of thousands of schoolchildren across our country balance their true sexual orientation and gender identity with socially expected norms, and they see the silence of our elected officials and public leaders after Lawrence's execution. Lawrence was failed by his school and a society that condones anti-gay bigotry and openly practices exclusion, intolerance and inequality. Hate crime laws won't change this - we need to mandate change in our schools and we will have to fight to achieve this.
Bob Zuley
posted 3/07/08
There is no doubt that the murder of Larry King should be an affront to any human being. The potential that he was murdered simply due to his sexual orientation doubles the tragedy.
However, equally immoral and reprehensible is charging 14-year-old Brandon McInerney as an adult in the case. If he is guilty of the crime (an accusation which first needs to be proved) McInernery is still a child. It is utterly cruel to subject a boy so young with the potential of spending the remainder of his life in prison.
Sure, taking him away from society for a period is certainly justified, but the goal of such incarceration should be rehabilitation, counseling and education, NOT what amounts to a "living death sentence." His cruelty and crime, if he is guilty, needs to be answered with change ... not spending forever behind bars.
What better tribute to the beautiful life of Larry King than to effect change to the person who murdered him. Show Brandon McInerney that his rage against another boy's sexuality is wrong and then let him teach others. Do not throw this child's life away; do not double this tragedy by destroying TWO children.
John Paul Osborn
posted 3/06/08
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
P. Collins
posted 3/13/08 @ 10:28 PM CST
John Paul Osborn, that is the mentality that gets us into these situations. People are just not responsible for their actions any more and don't condsider the consequences before they act. (Continued…)
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