Reactions to the Brock Turner Case

This is a dual (two-part) poem. This first part outlines my feelings and reactions to the Brock Turner case.

Part I

Too naive to think the worst
She struggles with self-blaming
Fears no one will understand
The guilt and the slut-shaming

But the problem lies with him
And his complete denial
That anything that he did
Will ever go to trial

To rape is a conscious choice
You cant blame it on the booze
Or try to play the victim
When your story hits the news

Actions have consequences
Rape isn't victimless crime
No one cares that your life changed
They just care that you do time

There's no free pass for assault
No exemption or clean slate
No wealth, privilege, or power
Can make up for all that hate

How do you face yourself
Or justify your sins?
Even if you go to jail
Nobody really wins

Her life has changed forever
Her confidence is shattered
Meanwhile you are adamant
That she should just feel flattered

This continuation is a reflection on my own assault in the wake of the Brock Turner ruling. The light sentencing the defendant received, despite the guilty verdict, caused feelings I had long-buried, to reemerge.

Part II

There was no justice for me
No apology, no guilt
I'll never have peace of mind
With this resentment that I've built

But why does he get to walk
When I feel so paralyzed
He kept his wife and children
But if only they realized

The monster that they live with
And all the hurt he caused
A man who keeps advancing
While my future still feels paused

But that's merely a pipe dream
They will never know the truth
Much like I will never have
A chance to live my youth

Written in June 2016