asian american student gets arrested for handing in his homework

[Amit]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-070425essay,0,5733419.story

High school senior Allen Lee sat down with his creative writing class on Monday and penned an essay that so disturbed his teacher, school administrators and police that he was charged with disorderly conduct.

"I understand what happened recently at Virginia Tech," said the teen's father, Albert Lee, referring to last week's massacre of 32 students by gunman Seung-Hui Cho. "I understand the situation."

But he added: "I don't see how somebody can get charged by writing in their homework. The teacher asked them to express themselves, and he followed instructions."

Allen Lee, an 18-year-old straight-A student at Cary-Grove High School, was arrested Tuesday near his home and charged with disorderly conduct for an essay police described as violently disturbing but not directed toward any specific person or location.

if this was like american history x remixed this would be the retarded incident that actually turns the peaceful little asian nerd into a SUPER ASIAN KILLING MACHINE

[corb]

I'd like to hear more specifically what the essay was about before I pass any sort of judgement. I have a feeling it only happened because the VTech incident, though.

[Smokey D]

I think it's probably completely unreasonable. I imagine disturbing essays get handed into teachers everyday, but because he's Asian he's being unduly punished.

[Amit]

I think it's probably completely unreasonable. I imagine disturbing essays get handed into teachers everyday, but because he's Asian he's being unduly punished.

My sentiments exactly.

[GreyHam]

jesus

i literally cant coherently express how i feel about this.... what is the world actually coming to where 'express yourself' means 'express yourself....but nicely. only happy thoughts'

disgraceful

[The_Passenger]

jesus

i literally cant coherently express how i feel about this.... what is the world actually coming to where 'express yourself' means 'express yourself....but nicely. only happy thoughts'

disgraceful

Given the recent shootings I think that people can be at least partially forgiven for being anxious about this kind thing, however illogical it may seem for them to act in such a way (so saying it's disgraceful just to report seems a little harsh, although it was probably the teacher being far too cautious). My main problem is that I seriously doubt the student would've been reported if he was of any other ethnic background.

[GreyHam]

oh of course being cautious is fine. id expect that if anones self expression contained something disturbing for some warning flags to be raised and perhaps for their teacher to talk to them, ask them if anythings wrong, if theres anything they want to talk about, and if there is perhaps point them in the direction of a counsellor (someone whose going to actually LISTEN, something thats irritatingly uncommon nowadays)

the idea of ARRESTING someone...thats the disgraceful part

[Akira]

I'm going to say what I have said about a lot of news stories lately:

People suck.

[Otherside]

I really don't understand how this even happened. What, did the teacher run to the phone after reading the paper and dial 911 and yell OMG THERES AN ASIAN AND HE TURNED IN HIS HOMEWORK i just dont get it

[Superfly]

Right this is ridiculous, why is it that every time a tragedy occurs the wrong sort of action is taken?

[Bron-Yr-Aur]

I would like to see what he wrote before I say much, but it surely is no coincidence that this student is Asian as well, and I'm sure the teacher took that into account before calling in the authorities.

[PerpetualBurn]

Oh right, so they can arrest us for our thoughts.

[YDtoad]

Oh right, so they can arrest us for our thoughts.

Of course they can. Try writing a detailed work about assasinating the president and posting it everywhere. See the reaction that gets :p

That being said, yeah, this is an obvious overreaction.

[Light Fantastic]

well im sure he can do that seeing as hes not in america and i doubt they are going to extradite for it

[PerpetualBurn]

well im sure he can do that seeing as hes not in america and i doubt they are going to extradite for it

If it gets to court, you're my lawyer.

[Kurrpt]

it reminds me of that episode in the Twilight Zone where the "special" kid wishes people to the corn field if they don't think "happy thoughts"

[ringworm]

i think we need to read the essay before we start jumping to conclusions

[Smokey D]

I seriously doubt the essay is any more disturbing than one of hundreds turned in each week.

[peeted]

So what was he actually charged with?

I find it incredibly disturbing that someone could be arrested for an essay, in a country that claims to be free.

[Kurrpt]

disorderly conduct

[AmericanWeiner]

How the **** is turning in a disturbing essay disorderly conduct in any sense of the word.

Maybe turn him in to counselors, but arresting him?

Give me a break.

[spitfirejunky]

This is truly the country of paranoia.

[gregulus]

I doubt this will go anywhere in court, at least it shouldn't. It's a sad day when students have to be mindful of which emotions they express in creative writing assignments...

[Benzum]

Pretty funny tbh

[pedro durruti]

Haha yeah I write disturbing essays every week

[Bron-Yr-Aur]

I seriously doubt the essay is any more disturbing than one of hundreds turned in each week.
I have similar reservations. The media was saying how disturbing all of Cho's writings were, and they ended up just being bad.

[south_of_heaven 11]

I would like to see what he wrote before I say much, but it surely is no coincidence that this student is Asian as well, and I'm sure the teacher took that into account before calling in the authorities.

My thoughts exactly.

[RetiredAt21]

I think it's probably completely unreasonable. I imagine disturbing essays get handed into teachers everyday, but because he's Asian he's being unduly punished.

Agreed 100%.

[The_Passenger]

oh of course being cautious is fine. id expect that if anones self expression contained something disturbing for some warning flags to be raised and perhaps for their teacher to talk to them, ask them if anythings wrong, if theres anything they want to talk about, and if there is perhaps point them in the direction of a counsellor (someone whose going to actually LISTEN, something thats irritatingly uncommon nowadays)

the idea of ARRESTING someone...thats the disgraceful part

oh in that case I guess I agree.

[Knifeboy]

Words can't express how horrible this is. Such idiocy, if the teacher was the one that turned him in, I hope he/she gets fired for being an idiot

[ringworm]

I think it's probably completely unreasonable. I imagine disturbing essays get handed into teachers everyday, but because he's Asian he's being unduly punished.
like is said, i thnk everyone is jumping to conclusions very quickly around here

you usually arent one of them though?

[Knifeboy]

Nothing he could have written, should've gotten him arrested for disorderly conduct... True, if he had written an essay explaining how he'd torture and kill his teacher, he could have gotten arrested for making threats..
Words on a paper should never be classified as disorderly conduct...

[beso negro]

For people who go to college, has any of your campuses had tightened security the past week?

Mine has. Every time i go into my apartment they check my bags.

[Krabsworth]

I'm surprised the parent was so easy going and stuff :confused:

[Knifeboy]

Yeah I'd be pretty enraged.. But I guess he was afraid he'd get arrested too, being asian and all

[GreyHam]

thats the view id have...

i think anyone can understand concern over a disturbing essay or any other peice of expressive work

for some people though thats just how they cope with their feelings, doesnt necceseriy mean they will act on them

(think how many people write/draw ****ed up stuff and how many of them shoot people...)

ever seen fat-pie.com? salad fingers etc? freaky stuff, but i cant see david firth shooting up a school anytime soon

[AmericanWeiner]

i accidently went to school with my knife sitting visibly in my car

i was all oh shi better move that

[Reaganista]

Of course they can. Try writing a detailed work about assasinating the president and posting it everywhere. See the reaction that gets :p

That being said, yeah, this is an obvious overreaction.

they made a movie about it

[Danger Bird]

It's so stupid to even argue about this when there's absolutely no word on the actual content of the essay.

[Dr Hooch]

well im sure he can do that seeing as hes not in america and i doubt they are going to extradite for it

they've extradited fr less, and some twat in downing street decided they could extradite any british citizen they want, poof

[WhoDidTheElf]

I'm a TA in my lit class at school and I have to pre-read essays for my teacher. There are plenty of messed up things that come in, but if it's about shooting someone or something up, you're going to get into a load of trouble now. I've seen one kid get suspended for writing a rather "disturbing" essay.

Every one is just uptight since the VT incedent.

[Matt?]

wasn't his essay about killing people and then f'ucking the bodies? i'm not sure if that's true or where i heard that but if it is then i don't know how i feel about it

[A Spoonful Supreme]

I'd like to hear more specifically what the essay was about before I pass any sort of judgement. I have a feeling it only happened because the VTech incident, though.

id pass no judgement at all, it was directed at nobody

and what would a disorderly conduct do to the kid? that would only aggravate the situation how stupid. people like cho are feeeewwww and faaarrrr between, true psychos, you can hardly prevent them imo

[Rise Me Up]

Free speech is a thing of the past.

I mean, even if the essay was about shooting up a school she could've just made him redo it. I don't think she should've called the police unless it directly mentioned someone in the school.

[Danger Bird]

Yeah, no matter what, unless it started with "I am going to..." then police should not have been called.

[Jaded]

I doubt that that this has anything to do with the student being asian.

[pedro durruti]

It's possible that the teacher was making some sort of racial connection to the Virginia Tech shooter, but yeah, most likely not.

[Amit]

I doubt that that this has anything to do with the student being asian.

how do you know

[pedro durruti]

How do you know him being Asian had anything to do with it?

[Amit]

i don't

but unlike jaded, i'm not saying i did

additionally, essays with disturbing content are handed in every day in every campus throughout america

but i don't see no white people getting arrested after the vtech incident

[Akira]

I doubt that that this has anything to do with the student being asian.

Yeah. You know, an Asian-American recently massacred a school after handing in disturbing essays, but this is a total coincidence.
Srsly.


This is just ridiculous. Notify the parents and the counselor, but there is nothing illegal about writing messed up essays.

[Iscariot]

amit: "asian american student gets arrested for handing in his homework"
america: "oops \:D/"

[Roy.]

so let me get this straight...

all of the sudden we are now all afraid of asians?

:lol:

[gregulus]

so let me get this straight...

all of the sudden we are now all afraid of asians?

:lol:

They can own us with their superior martial arts ability and brain power. It's a matter of national security, seriously.

sike.

[Light Fantastic]

they've extradited fr less, and some twat in downing street decided they could extradite any british citizen they want, poof
They wont extradite for something that isn't a crime here, especially if it was committed here.

[(*The Noonward Race*)]

It's so stupid to even argue about this when there's absolutely no word on the actual content of the essay.
it doesnt matter what he wrote

you dont get arrested for writing what you want to have handed in

[Dave de Sylvia]

If the Virginia Tech incident has taught us anything, it's that the correct response to a possible expression of sociopathic tendencies is to aggravate and further disillusion the person by having them arrested.

[suspect]

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/361573,042707lee.article

Here is the essay for those who are interested. Seriously, what kind of retarded teacher would call the police for this?

I hope he sues her.

[Dave de Sylvia]

Man that kid is a moron.

[peeted]

To be honest that did sound a bit like a threat, hardley the most disturbing essay ever though.

[Smokey D]

I'd call the school counsellor or whatever before I called the cops. I suppose I can understand why she was frightened, but it undoubtedly is related to the VTech shootings.

And yes, he is truly attrocious.

[bradc1988]

a) He used "wtf" in an essay.
b) Hardly any of it was coherent
c) He is a moron

Disorderly conduct is fairly apt, his ignorance and stupidity is irritating me and inciting me to be Very Very Very angry.

But seriously the last line seemed a little threatening, but I would've thought counselling would be the first step.

[The Chemist]

What a bunch of bitches the US education system has become. I think counselling, but an arrest? I think the teacher over-reacted.

[ringworm]

only because of the whiney bitches that attend school these days :/

[Roy.]

My current English teacher is a control freak intent on setting a gap between herself and her students like a 63 year old white male fortune 500 company CEO, and a illegal immigrant.


:lol:

seriously though i understand why he wrote that.

maybe because i am going through a mental breakdown right now...

not a joke.

i understand though.

he was just trying to get **** out.

[Knifeboy]

I just want to point out that it wasn't for an english class or something like that, it was a creative writing class.... Those classes usually tend to revolve around writing the dumbest bullshit one can come up with

[helleporter]

Hell lots of gramatical mistakes lmao.
azn americans can't do ****

[gregulus]

I could see where the "don't be surprised if you inspire the first CG school shooting" line would cause alarm, but probably wouldn't warrant arrest. I'd contact the counselors first.

[Give me Beer]

Wow, I feel bad for the guy, he wanted to join the Marines and now apparently he can't anymore because he has a criminal arrest to his name, and that is forbidden.

That teacher is a b'tch and the essay sounds like someone who didn't feel like making an effort for the class so he just wrote down some bullsh't.

I don't see why people here think he needs counceling, he was making a (rather stupid) joke on behalf of the teacher.

This is ridicilous, somebody slap that teacher.

[Dave de Sylvia]

I don't think many people are suggesting he needs counselling, just that if there was cause for worry, a counsellor would be a better person to refer him to than a judge.

[Smokey D]

Also, he probably would have been a terrible marine.

[Dave de Sylvia]

He'd fit right in!

[Give me Beer]

Also, he probably would have been a terrible marine.

What leads you to think this? An 18 year old that writes some BS down on an essay is automatically an unfit marine?

[gregulus]

What leads you to think this? An 18 year old that writes some BS down on an essay is automatically an unfit marine?

If he's so vehemently opposed to writing a story for creative writing class because he sees it as "useless," then how does he expect to get through the utterly useless, pointless crap in boot camp?

[Give me Beer]

He really wants to be a Marine, makes you stick to your guns.

[spitfirejunky]

Any half-decent psychologist can tell you that essay was written out of spite and that there was no real threat associated with it.

I still think the arrest was uncalled for.

[Iscariot]

Also, he probably would have been a terrible marine because he's asian.

fix'd

[Akira]

fix'd

Wut do u mean azns gotz mad carroty skillz.

[Smokey D]

What leads you to think this? An 18 year old that writes some BS down on an essay is automatically an unfit marine?

Because people who joke about raping bodies are probably the wrong sort of people you want in a high-stress situation.

I dunno, maybe he's a completely different person and nothing about the essay reflects his character. But from what information we have on him, he seems either stupid or low-grade crazy. Neither one of them are very desirable traits in a profession where you are a) routinely shot at and b) armed to the teeth.

[Knifeboy]

Because people who joke about raping bodies are probably the wrong sort of people you want in a high-stress situation.

What?...
Where's the logic behind that?

[Egggo]

immature idiots don't make for good soldiers tbh

[Give me Beer]

Because people who joke about raping bodies are probably the wrong sort of people you want in a high-stress situation.

I dunno, maybe he's a completely different person and nothing about the essay reflects his character. But from what information we have on him, he seems either stupid or low-grade crazy. Neither one of them are very desirable traits in a profession where you are a) routinely shot at and b) armed to the teeth.

Pff, he doesn't seem that stupid, he seems rather frustrated with the school system, doesn't make him stupid. A little shock rock doesn't mean you're crazy man.

I think people are overreacting to that piece he wrote down. Looks like something he didn't put any real effort into and which he wrote for shock value and to diss his teacher.

Furthermore, they do psychological tests on you before you can join the marines and he passed those.

[Interviewer/surveyer]

i think we need to read the essay before we start jumping to conclusions

exactly. Maybe he said things that led the teachers to believe he may have wanted to kill a bunch of people.

But Im pretty sure that the fact that he's asian had a great deal in the fact that they called the cops.

[Smokey D]

His essay has been posted.

[angry armadillo]

his essay was not really any cause for concern, he said himself that he wasn't bothered about his studies so he wrote a load of rubbish down to hand it

i thought it was funny that the authors note (/disclaimer!) was pretty much as long as the 'essay' itself

[Knifeboy]

immature idiots don't make for good soldiers tbh

Immature humour =! immaturity

[PerpetualBurn]

but as a teacher, don't be surprised on inspiring the first cg shooting.

What an absolute hero.

Best thing I ever read.

[CrossTheBreeze]

I'm going to say what I have said about a lot of news stories lately:

People suck.

hey, I'm people; I don't suck :upset:


I would kinda like to read the contents of said essay before passing
judgement

EDIT: well, come to think of it, I don't think whatever it was that he wrote really merits getting arrested