Tyler Clementi decided to take his own life after being filmed being romantically involved with another man by his Rutgers University roommate Dahrun Ravi. He jumped from the George Washington Bridge on Sept. 22, 2010.
Dahrun Ravi was convicted on multiple charges, including invasion of privacy, evidence tampering and biased intimidation, March 16.
Ravi has been living in the United States with his family since he was 3 years old. He was in the US on a green card. He faces prison time and deportation, pending his appeal.
Ravi's actions were deplorable. He ruined the life of a student who hadn't acted maliciously toward him. He acted only out of his contempt for gays and lack of appreciation for another person's privacy and well-being.
He wasn't charged with leading Clementi to commit suicide, which we think is a just decision. No matter how despicible Ravi's actions were, Clementi chose to take his own life. Ravi did not push him from the bridge.
Ravi will have to live with his guilt for the rest of his life. We believe guilt is worse than any life-in-prison sentence or similar sentence he would have received if convicted of manslaughter or murder. His guilt will be enough.
This is not to say we disagree with the convictions. Ravi definitely acted out of his hate for gays and received just convictions.
We disagree with the sentencing when it comes down to prison time. We believe that to spend American dollars feeding, clothing, housing and caring for him--only to deport him at the end of his sentence--is a waste of resources. His punishment should be immediate deportation back to his home country of India.
American prisons--for those not on death row and without life sentences--are places of reformation. They're places where criminals can learn the skills and the habits of decent, law-abiding citizens.
What will Ravi learn there? If anything it will be to the benefit of India, or wherever he chooses to reside. The United States will not benefit from their thousands invested in keeping him alive.
He will spend his time dreading his eventual deportation while devouring the tax dollars of American citizens. Prison is not the answer. It's not the place for Ravi. Anywhere but America is the place for a man like Ravi.
The jury, in essence, proved Ravi guilty of lacking a moral compass. He's being sent to prison for the crimes related to not being able to tell right from wrong. He couldn't see Clementi as a person equal in worth to himself, and acted like the worst of the worst bullies in the schoolyard.
The Clementi family will continue life without their son. Ravi will continue life with his guilt. America should continue life without Ravi.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
