This has quite possibly been one of the worst weeks of my life.
In the past week, my wallet and car keys were stolen, my car was hit twice and I have been unable to get into my dorm room for four days.
The pièce de résistance came last Saturday, when I was the victim of a hate crime.
Less than 48 hours after writing a story about a hate crime victim whose case was initially ignored by Tulane University Police Department, I got to experience one first hand.
After years of reporting crime both on campus and throughout New Orleans, I assumed that I understood how all of those victims felt. I was wrong.
Only after this incident did I truly understand the humiliation of the student who was gay bashed on his way home from Snake and Jake's.
I understood the confusion and fear of Allison Garman after her home was broken into and she was left tied up in her bed.
I understood the surge of adrenaline and fear that coursed through Julie Burgess and Candace Boyle when they were robbed at gunpoint.
And I understood the frustration that many students feel with the New Orleans Police Department, TUPD and Tulane.
I now realize why they felt victimized.
My ordeal started out with an innocuous costume party, something many Tulane students take part in. Looking back, I could have dressed differently: I wore a small swimsuit to a "Pool Boys and Hula Girls" party.
As I walked out of the bar towards a bus headed back to campus, a cup hit my back and I heard someone call me a fag. Though I was inebriated, I did what I would do even if I were sober. I asked what I had done to provoke him, then tried to leave. Suddenly, my attacker and his friend jumped me from behind.
By standing up for myself, I got hit in the face, in the head, scratched and almost thrown into the path of an oncoming car. When an officer arrived and broke the two of us apart, his first statement was to ask what I had done.
2008 Woodie Awards
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Big Easy
Peter
posted 4/29/08 @ 3:57 AM CST
It is a tragedy, pity and shame that in a city as diverse as New Orleans, these type of senseless and truly abhorrent acts of violence still occur.
My condolences to the author as I feel for you in this most unfortunate of situations. (Continued…)
Mark
posted 5/01/08 @ 10:17 PM CST
I'm really sorry Chris. I'm going to be a counselor within the months, and if you need me to set you up with someone in the New Orleans area, PLEASE let me know. (Continued…)
EddyH
EddyH
posted 5/09/08 @ 3:04 AM CST
this is probably a bit off topic, but still another example of how Tulane neglects the well-being of students. Admittedly, this incident was my fault however, I do feel that the lack of Tulane involvement is appalling. (Continued…)
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