Two Tragic Endings, By Roger Behra

SHORT COMMUNICATION 308

Two Tragic Endings

By

Roger Behra

When people perpetrate inappropriate, unlawful, or evil behavior, the perpetrators and the victims most always end up in very, very serious trouble. That is exactly what happened to Dharum Ravi and Tyler Clementi on September 19 and 22, 2010. The end result was extremely sad, indeed.

In a legal trial that ended during mid-March, 2012, the verdict was devastating to Dharum Ravi who was found guilty of all 15 charges against him. The victim, Tyler Clementi, could not be present because he committed suicide when he jumped off the George Washington Bridge in New Jersey.

The whole tragic episode started in a dormitory room at Rutgers University. Ravi and Tyler were roommates, and Ravi suspected that Tyler was gay and committing gay sex in the room when he was not there. So Ravi set up his webcam in the room. Later, when he checked his webcam, there was gay activity recorded. That was Ravi´s first mistake. His second mistake occurred when the recording was seen on the internet. Ravi tweeted about it and then set up his webcam to record more activity.

It did not take long for Tyler to find out about what went on. The embarrassment Tyler suffered was extreme, and it took it´s toll. On September 22, 2010, Tyler posted one last status update on Facebook: “Jumping off the gw bridge, sorry”.

The devastating and tragic parts to this episode cannot ever be forgotten: a life ended at a very young age along with a college career; another college career ended as a life was ruined, also at a very young age. It all happened because of very unacceptable behavior leading to another type of unacceptable behavior.

Along with the two types of behavior, two college careers were halted. Two college degrees will never be granted. Two potential good destines were wasted. The 15 charges against Ravi that were upheld during the court trail mean a very long prison time awaits him. And the ending of a young life is the most traffic.

Inappropriate behavior is never an option or acceptable. And spying on someone or an invasion of privacy is disgusting to a very high degree. Everyone must remember that personal behavior determines a legacy which lasts forever.

R. B.3-25-12