Psychotic?
I picked up this news piece from Salon. The basic idea is that some 13 year old girl from jersey could go to a juvenile detention facility for 2 years for making a list of “People2kill”. Scary? Well not really, when you consider the fact that no weapons were found, and she had no prior record. Certainly a “People2kill” list should bring concern, but if punitive measures are enacted, we will no doubt be seeing another victim of the post-columbine backlash.
What people ought to consider, is that maybe the people on the list deserved it. Not death of course, but there a loads of hideous people in this world who could make junior high hell for anyone. People who are so cruel, and wield so much power (while those who are supposed to be in power, the teachers and the administrators look the other way), that a victim could feel completely powerless and defenseless. When one is constantly a victim, there is no doubt that grim thoughts will enter one’s mind.
But here is the important point. There is a big difference between one’s fantasies and coping mechanisms and actual murder. In my freshman psych class we talked about psychotics, and one of the characteristics of a psychotic is that they don’t have any seperation between fantasy and reality. Those of us who are normal, however, do, which is why it is ok for us to think “man, what a jerk, I’d really like to kill that guy”. And if making a list makes some girl feel a little more empowered so she can make it through another day of school, fucking great. This is bordering on prosecuting thought crime. Society is taking individuals private thoughts and fantasies, or information they share in the confidence of friends, blowing them out of context, and persecuting people for having these (often justified ideas).
So what is society to do? Well, we cannot simply ignore incidents like this. I know nothing of this girl or the situation other than the wire article. For all I know, she could be genuinely dangerous, and perceptive teachers, parents, and administrators averted a disaster. However, if someone is mentally ill, I doubt that encarceration will do anything to help the girl or society. Even though the posibility exists that she is mentally ill and dangerous, I seriously doubt that is the case. Why? Because junior high sucks. I rememember making lists of people I hated (though not hit lists) and I also recall writing a short story about a boy who blew up the school on parent teacher night. I even showed it to a teacher. Unfortunately, what was correctly perceived as a venting of anger, frustration, and impotence when I was going to school is now seen as a dangerous threat. Well, I ensure you, that if society limits peoples thoughts and expressions, their own personal coping mechanisms and springboards to a better life, we will have a society of sociopaths. So, when this girl is found to be completely sane (which I think will be the case), and people have drillled it into her head that killing people for real is very wrong (which I’m sure she understands and agrees with), she shouldn’t be punished. Here’s a novel idea. Give her (and others like her) some real power. Power to rival the popular elite and the bullies. Power to make the system more fair and enjoyable for everyone. When you give people the real power they deserve, I doubt that they’ll need to make hit lists to make themselves feel stronger.