Possible Death Sentence for Boston Bomber
It’s hard to believe that the Boston Marathon bombing occurred last April, because I remember it like it was yesterday. This even struck home for me as my older brother went to school at BC and now lives in Boston. I remember the exact feeling of panic and confusion, wondering if he was unharmed, and praying that he was okay. Thankfully, I am fortunate enough to say that my brother was safe, sleeping in his apartment. However, some American citizens did not have the same fortune as I did. The explosions at the finish line killed 3 spectators and injured 264 people many of whom ended up suffering traumatic amputations, hearing loss, eye-sight loss and more. Now it’s time for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, who was 19 at the time, to face the consequences of his actions.
This month, Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. will decide if he is going to seek the death penalty for Tsarnaev, who is currently awaiting his trial. Mr. Holder is weighing the different variables to consider such as the indiscriminate killing and maiming of innocent people, and mitigating factors such as the possibility that Tsarnaev was under the influence of his older brother and possibly others. Sounds tricky to me, and either way there will be people unhappy with the decision…stay tuned to see what the outcome is.
An Arizona Frat Crosses the Line
I’ve heard stories of this kind of thing before – a fraternity hosting a party with a wildly inappropriate theme that often offends lots of people. One fraternity at Arizona State University is being investigated for having a party to commemorate Martin Luther King’s Birthday in which all nonblack members mocked blacks by wearing baggy pants, basketball jerseys, and flashing gang signs all while drinking out of hollowed-out watermelons. This is frankly disgraceful to think that people of our generation would act like this and commemorate a legendary man of such honor with a party that is dishonorable, putting it gently. Images from their party have been posted on Instagram and other social media networks prompting attention from civil rights leaders across the country. The chapter has been on probation since last fall, when some of its members were linked to the beating of a black student on campus. University officials have since suspended the operations of the fraternity, Tau Kappa Epsilon.
The actions of this fraternity are despicable, and they also led me to ask a few questions. Everyone is certainly outraged by the outwardly racist actions of this fraternity for making a disrespectful party theme, but what theme isn’t offensive?
Even if the themes are meant to be harmless, they are often extremely sexist; imploring women to wear skimpy outfits while men can essentially wear whatever they want. Maybe it’s time women started creating the themes…
READ MORE: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/23/us/arizona-fraternity-party-stirs-concerns-of-racism.html?ref=us
Tragedy Strikes UPenn and Northern Jersey
I’d like to close off my first News Update with a piece of heartbreak and sorrow. I’m sure most of you are familiar with the viral and tragic story of 19-year-old Madison Holleran’s death. She was the star of her UPenn track team and a soccer All Star in high school. Madison jumped to her death from a parking garage Friday, January 17th. This freshman came from the town of Allendale, NJ where she attended Northern Highlands High school playing soccer and running track. From the many articles I read, it was obvious to me that Madison was someone who was well liked by everyone and an inspiration to most track runners nation-wide.
Most sources are saying that Holleran committed suicide because of the stress and pressure of being a student athlete at such a prestigious and competitive school. Regardless, I do not think the reasons or even the details should be important to the public. This event was truly tragic, and my condolences go out to his young woman’s family and friends. This is a lesson for us all to take into account – happiness does not look the same for everyone. It is important to always support your friends and family through times of need and let them know they are loved. In the end, that’s all that really matters
READ MORE: http://www.northjersey.com/community/241479841_Madison_Holleran__19__dies.html
http://www.heavy.com/news/2014/01/college-track-star-suicide-madison-holleran/
Have any news stories you’d like me to explain or give my two cents on? Email them to me at gd011@bucknell.edu.