How can we best use the verdict from the Ravi trial, and the death of Clementi, to teach kids about the powers and the perils of bullies?
They say that part of the fascination with the Clementi trial was that most people could relate to the basic details of the case. Millions of U.S. adults remember being college freshmen, struggling to find common ground with new, unfamiliar roommates and neighbors in a residence hall. But, we all know that the Ravi case will fade into history and state-sanctioned violence and insults created for political domination of a dehumanized plutocracy will be the ubiquitous commodification.
This case was not merely barbarism parading as reform - it is also a blatant indicator of the degree to which sadism and the infatuation with violence have become normalized in a society that takes delight in dehumanizing itself.
The tough new questions raised about social media, the internet and cyberbullying, educators, and for all of us who post opinions, photos and personal information of every sort online does not send warnings about the real consequences of bullying.
The control society is the ultimate form of entertainment as the pain of others, especially those considered disposable and powerless, have become the subject not of compassion, but of ridicule and amusement in America.
Reveling in the suffering of others for the sadistic impulse to merge spectacles of violence and brutality, human suffering is the American form of entertainment designed to raise the collective pleasure quotient.
Intimidation comes from looking powerful, abusing power, using power to extort and exploit our fears. It's about getting away with flouting rudeness in our faces not because Ravi was making fun of Clementi's sexual orientation.
The potential for tormenting others comes from adults: media, parents, lawyers, police, and state and federal judges: Criminal intimidation being understood as stupid pranks. How many more youngsters have to go to prison because of the malice of adults?
The next actions or inactions will be written off and the culture of violence, cruelty and disposability will continue along with economic injustice and massive inequality.
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