Sexuality on Campus: Bullying and Suicide - A Cultural Perspective

The suicide of Rutgers University freshman Tyler Clementi in September 2010 and the following trial of his roommate Dharun Ravi in February 2012 have been a topic on the minds of many. The media’s focus on this event have given rise to new awareness of (cyber)bullying and LGBT-related suicides in our modern age. It is important to know that this event did prompt both the New Jersey legislation and Rutgers University to enact new laws and policies to deter such a thing to happen again. New Jersey legislation reportedly enacted the “toughest law against bullying and harassment” in the nation in January 2011. While Rutgers has moved to create gender-neutral housing and increased training on suicide awareness. What I want to focus on more in the actions of Dharun Ravi, Clementi’s roommate at Rutgers, who through the use of the internet and a webcam, publicly humiliated his roommate to the point of suicide.

The trial of Ravi makes many references to Ravi’s alleged discomfort at the fact that his roommate was gay. Ravi’s lawyers would make the case that Ravi was simply a “foolish kid” with little experience with homosexuality who found himself uncomfortable. Yet Prosecutors believed Ravi had acted intentionally to embarrass Clementi, calling into question homophobia. In reading the article about this, I draw connections to David Wexler’s essay, “Shame-O-Phobia” in which Wexler addresses how a “profound fear of appearing weak or... ...feminine [will lead] most men [to] do whatever it takes to prove their manhood” (141). In the context of Ravi and his actions out of possible homophobia, I believe Wexler’s concept of “Shame-O-Phobia” is applicable on the grounds that I feel there is still a stigma attached to the idea of sharing a dorm room with someone who is openly gay. One could argue that if other students knew he was living with someone who was gay, he may be judged and his own sexuality would be put into question. So, to save his manhood, he publicly embarrassed said roommate.

Another aspect I want to look into how Ravi’s cultural background might have influenced his actions. Despite having lived in the United States since he was little, Ravi is from India. Now, we know that concepts and perceptions of sexuality “vary across cultures and through time and always concern issues of power and resources” (165). India is considered fairly conservative in terms of LGBT acceptance. From the Antony Thomas’ documentary, “Middle Sexes: Redefining He and She,” there is a place on the fringe of Indian society for transgender individuals, yet most males find their first sexual experience with another male, typically at a traditional Indian wedding, before eventually being married to a female themselves. Yet, according to the World Report 2010, India has only recently removed consensual homosexual acts as being a criminal act (169). With that, one could argue that Ravi’s parents are conservative and thus imparted their traditional values to their son. Being raised mostly in the United States, Ravi has likely not been exposed to the wedding and male bonding aspect of Indian culture, which could increase his potential inclination to homophobia.

All in all, I argue that Ravi’s perception of manhood and cultural background could have had a role in his actions towards Clementi. It is worth note, however, that while Ravi was found guilty on all accounts, he was not charged with Clementi’s suicide.

Bibliography

“Tyler Clementi” The New York Times, updated March 26th, 2012.

http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/c/tyler_clementi/

index.html Accessed April 2, 2012.

Wexler, David. “Shame-O-Phobia” Women’s Voices Feminist Visions: Classic and Contemporary Readings 5th ed. pp. 141.

Shaw, Susan M. and Janet Lee, editors. Women’s Voices Feminist Visions: Classic and Contemporary Readings 5th ed. pp. 165, 169.

Middle Sexes: Redefining He and She. Directed by Antony Thomas. 2005.