Khoury 1

Tamer Khoury
5/13/2019
English 117
Troubles & Punishments

People are born good, but raised in bad situations which is similar to Richard’s

situation. Although Richard is a good person deep down, he committed a horrible crime

when he was pressured into burning Sasha’s skirt. Sasha suffered in pain from what

Richard did, and he deserves some type of punishment, whether it's a prison or, juvie. I

believe Richard should serve 5 years in juvie and not be transferred to an adult prison.

I believe Richard should ultimately be punished for his crimes, the punishment

should be handled in a rightful manner. I think that he shouldn’t be taken to an adult

prison, but rather stay in a juvenile facility for 5 years. I also think Sasha should have a

say in Richards punishment. Slater states, “From the start we have been opposed to

Richard’s being tried as an adult...his actions appear to have been impulsive, immature,

and unpremeditated. He did make a big mistake and recognizes that. He asked for our

forgiveness...Sasha, Debbie, and I have forgiven Richard”(286). In this passage,

Sasha’s parents favor that Richard is a good boy caught up in a bad situation and

shouldn’t be trialed unjust as they have forgiven him already and just want to focus on

his rehabilitation after his sentence. I really agree with Sasha’s parents feeling bad in a

way for Richard and that it is less of a punishment, but more of a way to help Richard

get out of his bad atmosphere and become a better person.

I believe Richard is a good-hearted person inside, but struggles to show this due

to the lack of support he was around. Richard made a huge mistake that was
 Khoury 2

unforgivably burning a non-binary persons skirt while they were sleeping causing

scarring and burns. I felt that Richard was misguided his whole life and never received

any moral support from his family and peers. He was just hanging out with the wrong

people that peer pressured him into burning Sasha’s skirt. Slater states, “I am not a

thug, gangster, hoodlum, nor monster. I'm a young African American male who’s made

a terrible mistake. Not only did I hurt you but I hurt your family & friends and also my

family & friends”(185). Richard wanted forgiveness from Sasha and their family as —the

guilt was building upon his conscious. Although he has gained their forgiveness, it

doesn’t dismiss his actions against Sasha. Ultimately he should be punished for leaving

Sasha with a lifetime scar; He should serve 5 years and be released at the age of 21.

I often would like to compare the thoughts I have with the thoughts Sasha’s

parents also had. I think we think similarly depending on the kind of people we are.

Richard through his letters to Sasha asked for forgiveness from Sasha and their family

and Sasha and their family forgave him as they felt he understood his wrongdoing and

should be serving time but to help him after he is out. Slater states, “But if you grew up

in a low-income area and all you see is crime and drugs? If you have family that does

crime? You see it. It has an impact on you. If you’re around it a lot, it’s hard to do

good”(197). Richard explains that he grew up in a different situation than other people

and that it is extremely hard to become a better person when you are caught up in all

that bad. Sasha’s parents thought that Richard should do the time, but shouldn’t be

transferred to an adult facility as I reiterated. I feel very similar to this because he should
 Khoury 3

definitely get time for his crimes, but you can feel empathy for Richard for not putting

him in an adult prison.

Richard made a mistake in his life, we all make mistakes but there is no excuse

for his behavior. There are two ways I see is fit punishment: 5 years in juvie, or Sasha

chooses a punishment she sees will compensate for her torment. I lean more on the

side of 5 years in juvie because Sasha has a great heart in which is their weakness and

will cloud their judgment from punishing, but rather let him get a free pass. I know they

forgave Richard for what he did, but he should get some type of punishment which will

teach him a lesson and fix his mentality for the better. The time he spends in captivity

will be more of rehabilitation rather than punishment; Sasha’s family just wants Richard

to become a better person and get the help he needs.

In conclusion, good or, bad it all depends on your background. Richard just

lacked the tools he needed to have the support others are provided. We know he is

wholehearted, but he deserves punishment for the better.