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Uniting Against Violence

Editorial by: Tom Oosterhoudt

These past few weeks, Key West has unfortunately had some sporadic acts of violence. Key West Police Chief Donie Lee assures us that statistically, violent crime is way down, which is good to hear, but in a small community, even occasional acts of violence are likely to involve someone we know. Such was the case when a couple of young gay men were attacked in isolated incidents this past month. When we see someone with black eyes and a scratched up face, it really brings it home when we know them.

In the past, such incidents did not get acknowledged, since the injured victim usually recovers in their home. Recently, with the help of Facebook and the internet, the Conch Hotline worked overtime and most of us knew about the incidents within 24 hours. Such was the case when Aqua waiter Chris Tanner was attacked, then two young gay tourists from Orlando in front of Mr. Z’s. In the latter case, the security video cams on the hotel across the street caught the entire assault and the police were able to quickly identify the suspect and arrest him.

With several incidents in a matter of weeks, the gay community was in an uproar, and a town meeting was called at the MCC, a mostly gay church, this past week. Everyone there had to be impressed that Monroe County State Attorney Dennis Ward, prosecutor Mark Wilson, Mayor Craig Cates and Key West Police Chief Donie Lee all showed up to hear the crowd’s concerns, and addressed the crowd on what can be done. The fact that they were all there showed that they cared.

When Chief Lee announced the arrest of a 17 year old assailant from the Mr. Z’s incident, it became apparent that some of the recent attacks here are by young people, probably misguided high school students. As a matter of coincidence, I was at the school superintendent’s office the next day; he told me that he had been called in by the state attorney that morning to discuss the issue. Dr. Joe Burke asked me to assure everyone that he is very concerned and had already found out that the arrested boy was a new kind in town. But he also said that he had told Sunny Booker that they had to address this matter and teach sensitivity to all the students of Monroe County. Sunny is one of those who helped institute the school system’s annual Challenge Day, which also deals with sensitizing students to anyone perceived as different.

When I was a city commissioner a few years back, I was asked to teach sensitivity classes once a year to sixth graders at HOB middle school. I let the kids know how hurtful name calling can be, and how a gay student commits suicide almost every day in America, often because of harassment from their fellow students. I asked if any of them ever been hurt by name calling, and I will never forget that this one little tiny Asian girl, told me in the softest voice that sometimes other students called her “slant eyes” or “gook”, and made her cry. I gave her a hug and told her that kind of thing should not happen in our schools. I told her to call me if it ever happened again.

Social attitudes are often formed at a very early age, and if kids think that it’s okay to pick on someone, they often will carry that prejudice right through to their teenage and adult years. Young athletes sometimes try to show their moxie by publicly humiliating weaker kids. Coaches and teachers should know enough now to try to discourage this sort of verbal abuse so it will not manifest itself in violent acts later.

Twenty year old Chris Wardlow worked for me in deliveries this past year. He unfortunately suffered what could have been a deadly attack just this past week, and he is not gay. His girlfriend’s ex- boyfriend attacked him out of the clear blue when they were out walking their dog. Chris was struck so hard in the forehead that his skull was crushed. The surgeons at Miami’s Mount Sinai had to open up his skull to repair it and check his brain for damage. Chris is a little fellow, but made up for his size with a warm personality and a great sense of humor. But, clearly his attacker was a bully to pick on someone as slight as Chris. When Chris worked for me everyone loved him, he was so likable. He now works for my good friend Kermit over at his Key Lime Pie Place, and Kermit has told me many times how great Chris was with people.

I urge my friends, Dr. Joe Burke and Sunny Booker to help us teach our young people that violence is not acceptable. Maybe all the teachers can help too. In fact, we all can help. The City of Key West should consider doing what many other cities have done to deal with crime, and consider strategically placing video cameras throughout the city. We obviously can’t have cops on every corner, but just the fact we would have monitors out there would discourage many from public violence. It’s also a great way to protect our tourists. In a town this size, there’s no reason why we cannot keep our streets safe. Key West is known as a safe city. Let’s make sure it stays that way.

Tom Oosterhoudt
Editor & Publisher

PAST EDITORIALS

Uniting Against Violence

By: Tom Oosterhoudt - September 03, 2010