Will someone explain why dozens of teenagers watched a 15 year-old Richmond, California high schooler get gang-raped? After you explain that, then explain why there appears to be some new fascination with the cultural tradition of watching (and egging on) violent acts. Honestly, what's the answer to this lunacy? Less fast food? Internet access? Grand Theft Auto? The military as life choice? What? I'm serious, folks. Aggressive attacks against women (particularly intoxicated women) in the Good Book of Macho America are like a rites of passage. You know, if you don't find yourself a drunken girl and violate her in front of everyone you know (or tell every one you know) then manhood is out of your reach forever. I think what I really need is someone, someone smart, compassionate and resourceful, to provide an enormous amount of encouragement to my increasingly cynical soul: I'm beginning to believe the expendability of other humans is a template of mankind that will never change. I'm also beginning to believe our youth (25 and under) are going to be the end of us.
Keith Josef Adkins is an award-winning playwright, screenwriter and social commentator.