Published on November 14, 2009

Gayle McLaughlin: A Better Society is Possible

By Gayle McLaughlin
Guest Commentary

IT HAS been a very difficult past few weeks in Richmond. The horrific rape and assault of the 16-year-old rape survivor at Richmond High School has deeply impacted us. Our police department has made multiple arrests and continues to be fully engaged in a thorough investigation of the incident.

We continue to extend our full support to the young woman and her family. We know recovery (physical, mental and emotional) will be a long process.

In these past weeks, I was interviewed by many reporters and shared my outrage and pain over this horrendous crime.

Although this incident occurred in Richmond, there is no doubt that it is symptomatic of a much larger problem. While the national media have chosen to cast disparaging light on Richmond, this incident is not about Richmond. It is about violence to women, experienced daily throughout America. Every nine seconds in the U.S. a woman is sexually violated.

This is a systemic problem, propped up daily by advertising and commercial interests who choose to portray women as sexualized objects, dehumanized and as a commodity, apart from real human relationships.

A Richmond High teacher rightly said that this is a "teachable moment," but it must extend beyond the moment and sink deep into our national consciousness. Sexism, along with racism, poverty and all forms of social injustice continue to exist in our nation because we have not put all forces to bear in opposing them.

While every individual must commit to righting these wrongs, institutions of our society must shoulder responsibility. Family, educational, economic, political and media institutions all contribute and shape consciousness.

This deeply troubling incident is indeed a time for deep reflection on the problems that are allowed to fester, and sometimes erupt, in our society.

Why did some among our youth stand by in the face of this heinous crime? Yes, there is something wrong here, but it doesn't originate in our youth and it doesn't originate in Richmond.

The status-quo culture throughout our nation does not encourage youth to stand up against ongoing injustices that exist day in and day out. Nor does it encourage youth to speak their truth to those in positions of power. We see young people too often being shaped, molded and told to "fit in" to this unjust society without questioning its persistent flaws and failings.

We should call upon on our youth to not stand by passively in the face of a crime, but instead stand up for something better.

The media, as well, must be called upon to stand for something better. I want to commend the Times for its excellent editorial on Nov. 3 titled, "Horrific rape places Richmond at another crossroad," which disputes the unfair characterization of Richmond by the national media. I would only add that more fair reporting through local media is needed as well.

Surprisingly, I was told by a prominent Bay Area TV news reporter when she questioned me about this horrible act of violence in Richmond that she "didn't want to hear about social injustice." Well, neither individuals nor schools nor cities exist in a vacuum. The problem should not be separated from the larger conditions that affect it, and in my view the media have a responsibility to explain Richmond's issues in the context of our overall systemic problems.

News stories leave a profound impact upon our youth. In Richmond we have among the brightest and most empathetic youth anywhere. Many have overcome huge challenges in their lives already. They refuse to take on the image that the media too often place on Richmond.

In response to this rape, I participated in many activities within Richmond and I must say that among the most moving were the news conference and vigil organized by youth groups at Richmond High School.

The strong voices of our youth, their teachers and their adult allies were heard loud and clear. When others try to stereotype and mischaracterize our community, our youth stand in opposition. I stand with them, proudly. We know a better Richmond and a better society is possible, and we are committed to making it happen together.
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McLaughlin is mayor of Richmond.