What I Want my Words to do to You

Part of my class this week was to watch a documentary. The title of this film was 'What I Want My Word to do to You'. This film was about women behind bars and how a writing work-shop was helping them deal with the consequences of their actions. They had exercises such as writing a letter to a loved one, describing a scar on their body, or writing about their violent crime. Some of these women had committed crimes that landed them in prison for the rest of their life. It was amazing to hear that these women understood what their actions had done, not only to them but to the families of their victims. One woman was having a hard time coming to terms with the fact that she killed, stabbed a man that did nothing to her. She confessed that she was actually taking her anger out for other people, her mom and uncle who had abused her.

Also important to note, that when many of these women talked about their childhood they mentioned the lack of motherly figure in their life. One women's actions escalated simply because she wanted attention from her mother. Her actions started out with simply asking her mother to stay by her side when she had the chicken pocks. Her later actions took innocent peoples lives. There was one discussion during the film in which the women discuss how deprivation from a loving mother could have led them to participate in some of the acts that they did.

While many of these women believed there were some outside influences on their actions, many of them took full responsibility for their actions. One woman said she knew what she was doing was wrong, but she just did it anyway. She was an accomplice in her husband's murder.

Many of these women also did not understand why people pitied them. They thought they did not deserve any pity, for the horrible things they had done. They also came to the conclusion that people can change while in prison. Some of the women wanted to give back to the community so they helped train seeing-eye dogs. I don't want to sound like I feel pity for these women because they are having to deal with the consequences of their actions. But I do think that some of these women understand what they have done, and that nothing they do in their life will take it back or make it okay. Unlike the monsters we picture in prisons, these women are openly sorry for their actions, and realize that they will spend the rest of their lives dealing with the consequences of their actions.

One woman claimed that her crime was committed with her heart instead of her head. She was raped by her best male friend. When she asked him for an apology, he laughed at her. She killed him. I do not however think she killed with her heart, I think she killed out of rage. She couldn't believe that her best friend would treat her that way, and she didn't want him to do that to anyone else. Lack of normal rationality is what she acted with. I personally don't believe you can act with your heart, and kill someone.

I think it is very important that they think they can't trust the police. These women claimed that they don't trust the police and when they get into a bind, they don't even think about calling the police. Their friend might even think they are snitches if they turn to the police. These women couldn't even trust their families, or some of the people they called friends. Why trust the police?

This film was eye opening and taught me that while some people may commit horrendous crimes, sometimes they do realize the consequences of their actions.

Also this week I have read more of the book 'Why They Kill', but I now realize I was quite ambitious with my schedule. I still have roughly a fourth of the book left. I might have to reconsider my time allotment for this book, it is very informative and I want to take my time soaking in all the knowledge. When I feel rushed I tend to skim some pages, and this book deserves more than a skim!!

Cheryl Crane was a young girl that was sexually abused. She was repeatedly raped by her mother's lover. She definitely experiences violentization. Her story ended with her stabbing another one of her mother's lovers to defend her mother. (Defending her intimate other, as the book states.)

Alex Kelly was another example listed in the book. When young his father brutalized him. He also saw his father brutalize his brother and his mother. He ended raping many young women in his life time.

Perry Smith was another man that when young was brutalized by a nun. She embarrassed him because he had a problem wetting the bed. Later he ended up killing a family just to find money. The book described him as showing very little remorse for his actions.

One of the stories that I thought was VERY interesting was Mike Tyson. When young he was brutalized by neighborhood kids and his older brother. Through his life violent events escalated until he decided to turn to boxing. In June of 1999 he bit Evander Holyfield's ear. I thought his case represented 'interpretation of the situation' well. He thought that Holyfield was winning by not following the rules.( head butting him, and the ref. not calling it) Tyson thought that he shouldn't have to follow the rules either. We all know the rest of the story, he bit part of his ear off. This is an example where his interpretation of the event caused him to turn to violence, when most people wouldn't.

Lee Harvey Oswald was also another interesting story. The violence in his life started extremely young! At two years old his baby sitter whipped him with a belt. What two year old deserves that? At a young age he also saw his mother go into rages and fights with his step-father over money. In his teens he threatened his sister-in-law with a knife. He was also known for hitting/slapping his mother in the face. It is important for Athens theory that Oswald lost two fights. But instead of completely giving up, he decided to get reinforcement.... a gun. He also tried to heighten his crimes by planning a robbery. He also hit, threatened and raped his own wife. As far as his childhood and past, Rhodes claims that he definitely fits all the descriptions to have become a violent criminal. He also notes that this does not definitely prove that he was the killer in the assassination.

An important quote from the book " no evidence that mental illness causes violent crime".

The book also pointed out the McNaughten rule, concerning legal distinction. Is the criminal insane or are they responsible for their actions. (has to do with motives.) Athens says that all violent criminals have reasons for their actions. Those reasons are reasonable to them, but maybe not to a normal person. An example would be mocking or rejection. A normal person wouldn't turn to violence to handle mocking or rejection, but someone who has undergone violentization might.

The next chapter in the book discusses some of the history of violence. I thought it was interesting that centuries ago there was much more crime than there is now. And America has the highest violent crime rate!!

Another important point made in this book, violentization has NOTHING to do with race or with poverty.

I am now reading the section that is talking about communities and dominance.

I feel that although I did not meet my goal of finishing the book I have learned more than I would have if I had rushed through the book. Updates on how the book ends will be soon!