Commentary: If we want long-term solutions to our social ills, we must work to make our institutions better at ensuring justice for all.
The Boston Bruins signed Mitchell Miller to a three-year contract and sent him to play for the Providence Bruins of the AHL. Two days later, following a storm of criticism, they cut him. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman stated, “Nobody should think at this point he is or may ever be NHL eligible.”
People are also reading… Miller, who is white, verbally and physically abused Isaiah Meyer-Crothers, a black classmate with developmental disabilities. He and another boy were charged with assault and sentenced to perform community service. Isaiah’s parents claim the abuse started when the boys were in elementary school together and continued until Miller’s conviction in eighth grade.
To some extent, this is understandable. After all, professional sports leagues have a long track record of looking the other way when star players engage in abusive behavior. Just look at the numerous sexual assault cases Hockey Canada is accused of covering up. This is what happens in a low-trust society. What that looked like in many areas of the country during the 18th and 19th centuries was vigilantism and mob rule. Those who violated community standards were subjected to all variety of shame, humiliation and torture. They were tarred-and-feathered, ridden out of town on a rail, beaten, whipped and lynched.
Everything the mob does is governed by the mood of the moment. Its standards are implicit, arbitrary and changeable. It has no due process. If a person is accused of wrongdoing, they must “show” that they are changed, but precisely what constitutes such showing is never specified. After all, behavior can be faked. One’s show of remorse might not be sincere. So, they must go through a “process of healing and forgiveness,” whatever that means.
But the answer to bad behavior is not mob rule; the answer is having our institutions set forth standards of ethical conduct and enforce them consistently and fairly.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Richard Kyte: Cancel culture comes from loss of trustCommentary: If we want long-term solutions to our social ills, we must work to make our institutions better at ensuring justice for all.
Read more »
Brown Palace forced to cancel Thanksgiving dinner and temporarily close hotel after fireThe historic hotel also had to cancel its traditional Holiday Tea in the lobby, which runs from November to January every year.
Read more »
Rick and Morty's Plush Website Has Been Made a RealityIt turns out that Rick plush website from Rick and Morty's latest episode is a real thing RickandMorty:
Read more »
Virginia, Virginia Tech cancel rivalry game after player deathsVirginia canceled its rivalry game against Virginia Tech was scheduled for Saturday following the slaying of three football players on campus just over a week ago.
Read more »
You’ve got to hear this wildly enthusiastic broadcaster call Saudi Arabia's second and decisive goal against ArgentinaYou’ve got to hear this wildly enthusiastic broadcaster call Saudi Arabia’s second and decisive goal against Argentina
Read more »
Blackout Wednesday tradition promotes dangerous drinking habitsCommentary: In many ways, Blackout Wednesday is a perfect storm of problematic drinking behaviors. Between justified binge drinking and bar promotions, the surge of overconsumption carries a variety of potentially dangerous consequences.
Read more »