I was visibly upset when I read this story this morning. I was eating Special K with Red Berries (a favorite!) and Jude and Lucy were at the table with me eating Apple Jacks. I was angry - starting to shake, and nearly crying. Judah became interested in what I was looking at. He kept saying, 'Let me see.' And I just had to tell him that 'a girl got hurt.' Great crimes have been committed. First, boys were not raised to respect and care for others in their community. They never realized that sex is a special and sacred and secret thing. They've learned that it's a way to control and coerce. Second, boys violated a girl - promises of the simple pleasure of chewing gum turned into a horrific gang rape. Third, a community has rejected the girl because now she is dirty, ruined, scandalous - now she is a ward of the state - an orphan. Our society blames victims! Really, all societies for all time have been in this bad habit. Isaiah warns us against it. But I want to be one who glows - one who, in the words of U2, 'shouts into the darkness, squeeze out sparks of light.' Apparently to be that kind of person, though, I need to quit blaming victims. To be a part of giving voice and hope and care to the victims on our planet, click here.
"Detectives said the girl was placed in the custody of Phoenix child protective services after the attack because of her parents' attitude toward her."
Shame on the girl's parents! What is wrong with them? Are they a part of a hateful religion? Religion that espouse homophobia espouse deeply racist and sexist attitudes.
The little girl's parents need an elementary understanding of human sex, sexuality, Her attackers need that basic education too!
Posted by: jesus Christ | July 23, 2009 at 12:00 PM
Rejecting a daughter because she has become "unclean" is very common in Muslim countries. Some daughters are even killed because they were talking to a boy (a non-relative) in public.
Posted by: Becky | July 23, 2009 at 04:40 PM