Tag Archives: bias crimes

More on Randy Gener, Filipino American journalist, who was assaulted in NYC

As I wrote in my post ( http://aaldef.org/blog/amid-the-super-bowl-hype-randy-geners-story-is-more-typical-of-the-asian-american-immigrant-story.html ), I consider it still an open question if what happened to Randy Gener is considered a bias crime against the Filipino gay journalist.

The police think not. I say, hold on.

Hate crime or not, the family is of Gener is very gracious in this public statement issued on Jan. 29, 2014:

The family of Randy Gener would like to thank all of the people who have helped move along the investigation. We are thankful to the New York Police Department, particularly the Hate Crimes Task Force, for conducting a thorough and swift investigation. We are eternally grateful to the community (particularly the Filipino American and arts communities) for raising awareness about this incident, for showing solidarity and generosity through organizing vigils and events, and for creating a fund to support ongoing medical expenses. Finally, we are thankful for all who have benevolently offered their services, particularly the New York City Anti-Violence Project.

We are pleased and relieved that a suspect has finally been apprehended and trust that the NYPD and District Attorney will make all efforts to bring justice for Randy. At this time, we are focusing on Randy’s healing and moving forward together as a family.

 
Stephen Nisbet & Jessica Blair-Driessler

Nisbet is Gener’s husband. Blair-Driessler, Gener’s sister. It’s still unclear if their views have changed now that the police are saying it was not a hate crime.

In the meantime, a fundraising effort for Gener’s medical costs is located on this website:

http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/for-randy-gener/130589

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Justice served in Rutgers sentencing?

I must admit to being a little shocked yesterday when the judge in the Dharun Ravi sentencing gave the 20-year-old former Rutgers student a toungue-lashing, then turned around and tapped him on the wrist.

I advocated leniency, but I never expected a 30-day sentence.

Ravi could have gotten 10 years in prison for his webcam spying of Clementi, who was having sex with another man.

Still, the case is about an invasion of privacy and not the death of Tyler Clementi. When you consider how Ravi has spent nearly 2 years waiting for his ultimate sentence, 30 days and  a 3 year conditional probation period seems more fair than not.

To demand more would be to scapegoat Ravi for all the homophobia in society. Ravi’s privacy breach  alone didn’t drive Clementi to despair. There are other forces at play that contributed to Clementi’s overall mindset.

In the end, the judge was right. He managed to disappoint both sides. And I guess that’s as close as it gets these days to balancing the scales of justice. 

See my orignal blog post at the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund blog.