I never once saw this story on the news, and granted I don’t watch the news religiously, I think that they government would try to hide a story like this from society. They even tried to hide those pictures that portrayed the severity of the crimes from the public in order to preserve the military’s image. The government uses so much money for the military so obviously they do not want their image tarnished. I respect those who serve and protect in the military, but now I might start questioning whether I should give respect to everyone whose in the military wearing their uniforms or do I have to first make sure they aren’t in a killing spree over in another country.
3/3
The officers had to have some knowledge or at least an idea of what was going on. Instead of trying to protect their soldiers and their image, they should have protected the well being of the civilians. Just because they are from another country, and just because some of their inhabitants are bad people, it does not warrant these soldiers to attack civilians. If something like this happened in America, our whole country would be in an uproar. We would talk about how heinous and merciless these people were and we would have not respect for their military as a whole. Once the officers had suspicions they could have immediately looked into the situation or watched the questionable soldiers more careful to pick up on early warning signs. They could have ordered these mean to be evaluated, or simply told them that they were on to them and threaten them that if they see anymore heinous crimes that they would be dishonorably discharged from the military.
2/3
To think that there are soldiers who do not value an innocent persons life is mind blowing. These are the kind of people you envision in jail, behind bars and not fighting for our country. Even though these are just a couple of bad soldiers, it makes our country as a whole appear cruel and merciless. It is one thing to be feared by enemies and those whom pose a threat, but it is a completely different thing to purposely kill innocent civilians, especially children and celebrate their deaths. I think the officers definitely knew what they were up to. Some of the officers reported that when they murderous soldiers told them how the 15year old boy came up and threw the grenade at them, they did not fully believe the story.
1/3
The perfect example of labels takes place in high school; where everyone is placed into subgroups and labeled. Whether it be class clown, the smart kid, or the jock everyone is divided and labeled. If the class clown suddenly decides to be the over achiever student it will be hard for him/her to break through the label he/she is already earned. The students will still expect the class clown to make jokes and entertain them during class, and the teachers will hesitate with taking the student seriously.
Throughout society labels are given to define individuals. This makes it easier for society to put individuals into groups, but this process of labeling becomes problematic for the individuals who do not fit into these labels or want to break free of them. This letter helps people to see these labels and once individuals know they are putting people into labels they can begin to tear them away. Everyone is guilty of labeling others at some point. The convict is just as guilty for labeling the students, as the student is for labeling the convicts. Once both parties recognize this they can be more open and allow the individuals to break free of their label and be them self.
2/2
In society once you are given a label it is hard to break out of it. Eventually most people conform to the labels they’re given instead of trying to fight against it. In this letter from the lifer we’re able to see labels in a broader sense. The Temple students were naturally defensive in the beginning because when you hear that you are going to be with convicts you form your opinion about them to conform to that label. A label of being a convict goes with the assumption that the person must have done something bad enough to get them a spot in prison. The mind wanders to all of the possibilities of the crimes these criminals may have committed. So every defensive guard is up for the Temple students as soon as their in the presence of the convicts. These labels of society goes beyond just this example. Everyday people are given labels and society expects them to act in accordance to them.
1/2
I always used to view people who went to prison as being in some ways frozen in time in regards to their views and beliefs. I didn’t ever view them as people who continue to grow spiritually and intellectually. Furthermore, I would expect them if anything to be bitter and hold resentment towards people including females. Being without sex in prison for that length of time I thought they would only increase their idea that women are sexual creatures and would lose greater respect for them. This letter from this man who is serving his sentence in prison opened my eyes more to the self growth these men experience in prison. I guess with all that extra time they are able to reevaluate their lives, see where they went wrong, and better them selves without societies pressure and environmental cues affecting their progress. These men are not stunted in any form of development, but instead they are able to appreciate life more than when they were “free.”
2/2
After reading this letter it is mind blowing to think that being in prison brought him to this conclusion about women. I guess it takes being without something to realize what you were taken for granted, although he does not state the process in which he formed his new opinions. After reading this I think most women would wish that the men in their lives or the men from their past could have reached the same understanding for women that this guy made.
Some media and society still perceives women in negative aspects. Women are sex symbols for a lot of guys and many women fail to overcome this stigma. Whenever they allow a man to speak down to them or conform to societies few of them they further send the message to these men that it is acceptable to treat women in a demeaning manner. Upon finally realizing that treating women in this way is wrong unfortunately for some men it is probably too late to fix past relationships that they regret ruining.
1/2
Even though their life seems like it has been put on hold everyone on the outside is living and going on at the same speed as before. Just like he said, “People grow older, they die, they move” and it Is hard for these people to take time out of their busy life to inform someone of what is going on who really is no longer a huge part of their daily life anymore. However, as long as you were a good person outside of prison you will still receive letters and phone calls sometimes and you will still be thought of by the people on the outside.
I also could tell that this guy was a genuine person because of how he interacts with his inmates. Becoming a family with people who don’t have one shows empathy and compassion. I don’t know what this guy did to end up in prison, but he just doesn’t seem like the type of person I would be afraid of being a part of society.
2/2
I enjoyed this letter because the inmate was not trying to state that he didn't deserve to be there or belittle his family and friends for decreasing the amount of support they are able to show on a regular basis. The letter showed how understanding of a person he was. I think he was right on the point the made about the people who were or were not good family or friends on the outside compared to the ones on the inside. If one of my close friends received a life sentence I would try to show my constant support, but if someone I hardly liked was sentenced to life I don’t think I would even write them a letter. How you treat people on a daily basis is how they will treat you in your time of need.
Also, he made a good point about how the letters stop being as numerous and frequent. Even just going to a college that was far away from my friends and family you notice how things slow down. At first I would call my parents every day and talk to a large number of people from high school regularly. now I call my parents just to check in and only remain a faithful texter to my close three best friends. Other than that I’ll tell a few other people when I’m thinking of them.
1/2
What kept me wondering was why was he chosen out of all of his siblings to be abused. I kept thinking maybe the mother was raped and since it hasn't always been acceptable to have abortions she kept him, but resented him the whole time. That was the only logical way I could make out of this entire situation. Even though what they did to this child was incredibly wrong and they literally stripped him from a childhood and limited every opportunity he had of a future; there had to be some reason behind this. If they had money to afford sports cars and airplanes than this could not be your typically low life family that mistreats their kids. Plus, even if this family was just sick in the head they would probably mistreat all of their children. Murder is wrong, but in a situation like this it is understandable. His parents literally pushed him to the brink of suicide. They deserved to get a death penalty and even though this man didn't have the right to play God he never had a clear conception of life. His life was full of fear, abuse, and knowing that either he would die or they would. He probably viewed killing them as a final freeing moment, even though he’ll never be truly free.
2/2
![[Avatar]](/images/avatar26.png){kind=avatar}
Invention