In a recent case in Manchester, New Hampshire, a 17-year-old teenager has been given a unique sentence by a judge. After being found in violation of the state’s civil rights act by carving racially offensive graffiti on a high school bathroom stall, the teenager has been ordered to write a 3,000-word essay exploring “the impact of racism and racist speech on society.” Alongside this written assignment, the teenager must also complete 100 hours of community service to avoid a $3,500 fine.
The judge’s order, which was filed on Wednesday, also includes a prohibition on engaging in or threatening physical force or violence against the victim, their family, or any other individuals, as well as damaging or trespassing on their property. The prosecution had initially requested a $5,000 fine, the maximum penalty.
Judge Amy Messer, who presided over the case, determined that the teenager had carved the words “Blacks stand no chance” and part of “KKK” on the bathroom stall at John Stark Regional High School in Weare in April 2022. She noted that there was already race-motivated graffiti on the wall, along with the name of a Black student who the defendant claimed was a friend.
The teenager’s attorney argued that the actions were not motivated by race, claiming that it was intended as a joke and that two other friends had pressured him into participating. The attorney also contended that the words themselves were historically accurate, rather than racially motivated. However, prosecutors maintained that the words carried racially charged connotations.
Judge Messer ultimately found that the defendant’s actions were not a reflection of historical fact or an attempt to address the plight of Blacks in America. Instead, she determined that the teenager’s actions were motivated by the presence of existing racially charged graffiti in the bathroom.
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