Trial By Public

I just finished watching an old documentary about a man who killed his wife and unborn child. All through the program, people everywhere had an opinion. Crowds gathered at the victim's home, with news people and their photographers constantly watching, ready to pounce whenever anyone connected to the case appeared. It didn't matter if the person was connected to the victim or the perpetrator.

One side was sure he did it; the other, no, he didn't. The people were seemingly normal everyday people, standing, chanting, prodding to get a response. Waiting for the moment that said, Aha, we got you.

Why are we so interested in other people's lives? Why do we seem to believe we have some sort of right to know? People are being tried and convicted in public opinion long before there is evidence to prove they did it. I know some would say, no big deal; they will get over it if they didn't do anything. The truth of the matter is, lives are forever disrupted, some even ruined beyond imagining. But the observers bear no responsibility for the chaos they helped create. They go on with their lives as usual until the next newscast provides another case to remark on.

Eventually, the accused appears in court to face attorneys, judges, and juries. Trials can become marathons, and the people still attend for that moment they have been holding their breath to hear. Guilty or not guilty. When the crowd hears "their chosen" response, they cheer at the conviction. They clap and jump for joy, chant, and state that is what they deserve for the crime they were found guilty of. How is it that we gather so much joy in the pain of others?

Looking back over history, public executions were common. People made a day of it to stand in the crowd of townspeople to witness the beheading of queens, thieves, and traders. Sadly, we haven't found our humanity in all these years.  We still want the scoop, to be an eyewitness, to scream our opinion to the universe. Social media has become the best friend of anyone wishing to express their point of view. They share them easily without facts in hand. They post: what should happen to the accused before there is evidence, before there is a day in court.

I am in no way suggesting people should not be held accountable for their actions; I am, however, of the mind that we need more facts before we speak, if we should speak at all. I found no need to rejoice in another human being's downfall.  I will undoubtedly get pushback for my words, and that is okay with me. I prefer to rejoice in the everyday good and leave the rest to a higher power.