Teen's "Slave For Sale" Craigslist Post Prompts Hate Crime Charges
Last edited Thu Nov 21, 2019, 10:31 PM - Edit history (1)
Source: CBS News
Naperville, Illinois -- A suburban Chicago 14-year-old faces hate crime and other charges for allegedly posting on Craigslist a picture of an African American classmate with the caption, "Slave for sale."
Prosecutors allege the white Naperville Central High School freshman also included "an offensive racial slur" in the ad that they called "beyond disturbing." The teen's defense attorney counters the students were friends and school authorities are handling the matter with an apology and suspension. Authorities didn't disclose the teen's name because he's a juvenile.
He appeared Wednesday in DuPage County juvenile court, where he was charged with two counts of committing a hate crime and one count of disorderly conduct. He's due back in court Dec. 18. Assistant State's Attorney Lee Roupas said the teen took the photo last week while the two sat at the same lunch table. Prosecutors describe the allegations as "serious and aggravating," and said the actions risked the safety of the victim.
"Hate crimes have no place in our society and will not be tolerated," the county's State's Attorney Robert B. Berlin said in a statement. "Anyone, regardless of age, accused of such disgraceful actions will be charged accordingly."...
Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/youths-slave-for-sale-craigslist-post-prompts-hate-crime-charges/
If convicted the penalty is not yet clear. A spokesman for the state's attorney office told The Associated Press the aim for juveniles is "accountability, not punishment," though the student is "going to face probation at a minimum."
The Craigslist ad followed an Oct. 26 incident in Naperville at a Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant in which some black customers said they were asked by restaurant employees to change tables because of a regular customer's request. The spokesman said that case "had no bearing on our decision to file charges against the juvenile."
iluvtennis
(19,852 posts)have consequences. He's 15 years old and knows better.
appalachiablue
(41,131 posts)jayfish
(10,039 posts)I don't understand what I'm reading here sometimes. A good portion of DU seems to love the prison industrial complex and the pipeline to it.
catbyte
(34,376 posts)needs help. To have that low of an opinion of him/herself and his/her race is disturbing.
pwb
(11,261 posts)He just set that seal murderer loose among the good navy people.
bucolic_frolic
(43,146 posts)I think that's a noble gesture. A 14 year old is a bundle of emotion and prejudice. I'm not sure hate at that age is well-developed, deeply felt or foundational, or understood by the self. I think our criminal justice system, most judges, would find a balance with a kid who obviously needs guidance and elevated sustainable moral thoughts more than anything. The question I'd be asking is where did he learn or see these ideas. That's the root of the problem.
James48
(4,435 posts)I think the kid should not have done it, but I really believe its wrong to treat it like a hate crime.
The kid is 14, for Gods sake. Yes, he should not have done it. But the proper response should be shame and an apology, and perhaps some education on the history of racism in our country- NOT punishment as a hate crime.
My 2 cents.
MissMillie
(38,553 posts)The only thing that comes into my head when I read stories like this (of death threats, hate mail, etc...) is that people DON'T think before they act.
I think the critical thinking processes kids need to learn is this:
if I do or say (whatever), and it's the very last thing I ever do or say, is this what I would want to be remembered for?
and
would I want anyone to treat me or my loved ones this way?
iluvtennis
(19,852 posts)marble falls
(57,080 posts)after him. It was dumb, but was it malicious?
I'm not sure that there was a racist intent from what I read, either.