So... I didn't really like the short film 'White Bear' because of the way that it showed enjoyment in watching the torturing of a woman, despite her being a criminal. We have tried to define 'justice' all this semester and I just do not believe what was demonstrated in 'White Bear' as justice, but instead a crime in itself. We talked about UFC and fighting some in class today and it got me thinking about whether that was right or wrong and how it related to this conversation. I do not find UFC wrong, it is just a sport like any other, just more physical. The competitors are individual athletes that train for each event.
That being said, it is completely different than the situation in 'White Bear'. Even if everyone is watching and recording the criminal just like in UFC, she is being tortured. She is being tortured in the most awful way, mentally. She is not prepared for that and it is not a fair punishment. The fact that people are watching this in a park made specifically for their enjoyment of spectating torture is sickening. UFC fans are watching athletes compete in a fair competition, not just watching as if they are gladiators fighting to the death.
Now I certainly agree that the criminal in the case of 'White Bear' needs to be punished and removed from society. What she did was awful, but everyone is meant to be forgiven. We, as citizens, are supposed to look at the good in everyone despite their past. What she did warrants punishment, which I would say is being in prison away from society. She does not deserve to be continually tortured month after month, I would say that would be criminalizing to society. Would we not all be criminals if we just sat watching and recording this girl while she is being tortured? This would not be teaching the criminal anything; by torturing this girl we would be, in essence, confirming her idea that violence is okay. Violence in this aspect is definitely not okay and the last thing that we should do is abuse her like she abused that child.
Austin,
ReplyDeleteI agree with some of your argument saying that she deserves to be separated from society and although not as far as building an amusement park focused on the pleasure found in her pain, I still do not believe that prison is the next best choice. There is no question that she deserves to pay for her wrongful act in society but I don't think that her particular involvement in the crime is worth prison. Putting her amongst killers, actual rapists, and criminals that have committed crime themselves will do nothing in my opinion besides create a "better criminal" out of her in her attempt to survive against them.
I agree with what you are saying, the punishment was too sick and extreme. She is indeed a criminal and deserves harsh punishment, but having tons of random, uninvolved people recording and watching her suffer all while mocking and finding her suffering amusing is not okay.
ReplyDeleteI agree that she should be locked away for the crime she was involved in. The last question you propose makes me think of today's society, and how much we have become like the people in the movie, We have become bystanders of many crimes, fights, etc. Of course some reasons are justifiable, but many people instead of calling for help they take out their phones in amusement to record, and laugh at what they are witnessing.
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