We live in a day and age in which racism simply cannot and will not be tolerated. Gone are the days when ignorant people could say whatever is on their mind to someone of a different race, without suffering any consequences. Free speech does have its boundaries, and thank goodness for that! It seems that more and more judges are using their good ole’ common sense these day when sentencing criminals in cases where racism is concerned- and the Gorilla is personally glad to see it!
A suburban white Cincinnati man was sentenced today to perform 100 hours of community service for shouting racial slurs and threatening a group of black children, who were near his yard. The man believed the children were out to “damage his property.” The 36-year-old man, Michael Fleugeman, was originally charged with misdemeanor aggravated menacing, but pleaded guilty on Tuesday to a lesser charge of disorderly conduct.
So big deal, he was ordered to community service like everyone else who commits a misdemeanor, right? Well, it is a big deal simply because this clever judge ordered the community service to be carried out at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Cincinnati, putting the obviously prejudice Mr. Fleugeman in direct contact with black children daily. Finally, a judge had the wherewithal to find a sentence befitting of such an ignorant crime! The Gorilla is quick to point out that this certainly is no punishment, in fact hopefully, the man realizes (once he’s done his service) that it was a privilege just to be around these wonderful children. Perhaps it will wake this guy up and let him see that black or white, kids are pretty much just that- kids!