What I think Jan 26 2004 10:56:53PM
posted by: moonlet

Greetings to all.

Here is what I think:

-> I think that Marcus' size, the fact that the girl had some vaginal bruising (hello folks, if a small woman chooses to loose her virginity to a large man, it's probably going to result in some vaginal bruising--duh!), the fact that he had turned 18, and the fact that she had not yet turned 16 are all irrelevant to the case in terms of how it should have been tried in a just world. The relevant facts are simple: a) the sex was consentual; and b) they were both students in high school, thus peers; therefore, no crime of any kind was committed by Marcus.

-> I think that the only reason the case came to trial in the first place is because of racism.

-> I think that "statuatory rape" laws are an example of the fact that people under 18 are denied basic civil rights in this country. I think that every person, regardless of age, has the right to control her or his own body, and therefore has the right to have consentual sex. Some people under 18 are not mature enough to be having sex. (Some people over 18 are not mature enough to be having sex!) Some people under 18 *are* mature enough to be having sex, and I only hope that they're enjoying themselves and using condoms! At any rate, people have the right to choose, and this nearly 16-year-old girl clearly *chose* to pursue sex with Marcus, a fellow high school student, and that was her right as a human being.

-> I think that Marcus made a poor choice in deciding to have sex with this girl, and I think he's undoubtably well aware of that fact now. His parents, being white, were probably ill-equipped to warn him that having sex with a white classmate nearly 3 years his junior--regardless of who initiated it or how willing she was at the time--was a VERY STUPID move, almost certain to get him into trouble, due to the simple facts of racism and a dysfunctional "Justice" system.

-> I think that right now Marcus should be a freshman in college enjoying himself and learning and that the fact that he is not is a testament to racism and injustice in the US of A. And I intend to write to Marcus to offer him encouragement and support and to do anything else I can to support the case to get him out of prison ASAP. I've already donated the small amount I can afford ($10) to his trust.

(Who am I? I am a 27-year-old, white, middle class, female, progressive, college student, from San Jose, California.)

In hope for a more just future for all Americans,
Madeline Althoff