Another Reason I Don’t Want To Visit Texas

This morning, Tavis discussed prison systems� failure to protect vulnerable prisoners specifically, Roderick Johnson’s heinous situation resulting in a lawsuit filed by the ACLU. The…

by j. brotherlove

This morning, Tavis discussed prison systems� failure to protect vulnerable prisoners specifically, Roderick Johnson’s heinous situation resulting in a lawsuit filed by the ACLU.

The most reprehensible act to me is sexual assault; indeed, any unwanted sexual act (including kissing, touching, etc.). I cannot even wrap my head around how men (and women) rape and molest. I haven’t committed to corporate punishment as a valid or moral solution to ending the world�s evils. But, rape is strict death penalty stuff to me.

Unfortunately, everything I know about the prison system is derived from news segments and HBO’s OZ. At its core, OZ is a gritty, vulgar soap opera for (gay) men. Surely, there is a sensational (even sexual) aspect to the show�s rape scenes. And I’ll admit that I watch OZ mostly for the nudity and occasional man-on-man action. I�m sure I am not alone. However, I’ve always felt the show was a bit over-the-top in its depiction of drugs, murder, and sex. I’m not so sure, anymore.

Now, I find myself questioning how my enjoyment of OZ enlightens or impairs my perception of what prisoners like Roderick Johnson endure.