Since Gerald Ford pardoned President Nixon, we have been a nation of “excusers”. We only excuse people who are famous and wealthy. Excuses have not been used for everyone in this great nation.
You can always tell when excuses will be required again. After some great crime, or perhaps even a crime that is obscure; there will be platitudes and long speeches with pregnant pauses. No one can believe that yet another criminal will be set free. This has been the norm in America, for at least the last 40 years. The speeches all begin in the same way: “We will complete a full investigation, we will punish those responsible…” You know when you are listening that nothing will come to pass for those who break laws.
That is why it is shocking to see wealthy young white men held responsible for their actions. I think Americans of every color and size have been asking for this kind of justice for many years. I think women on campuses speaking out about date rape, and protesters in Ferguson, Missouri are all asking that we hold people accountable for ALL of their actions. It is almost unbelievable that justice would occur with such swift action after racial chanting was recorded and published. The national chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon were purposeful in meting out repercussions for the bad behavior of chapter members. In America we have seen too many speeches about excusing and ignoring bad behavior.
I don’t think all bad behavior nor do I believe that all crimes are equal in severity. I do think that the reaction to all bad behavior and criminal behavior should be the same. Swift, immediate and harsh repercussions to demonstrate to the innocent and good people of America, that it matters to be good. We should all be reassured that our own personal contribution to what is good and right is worthwhile, that if not rewarded, is at least recognized.