My Thoughts on The Stabbing of Austin Metcalf and Our Moral Depravity
I must say something about the stabbing of Texas teenager, Austin Metcalf, by another teen, Karmelo Anthony. It is my opinion, and it’s an opinion that is based on confirmed, known circumstances. This killing represents much about what is wrong with society and its lack of moral values. I have taken a few days to ponder this killing, and it both saddens and infuriates me!
These are the facts:
A white, male student (Austin Metcalf) was in his designated team tent at a high school track meet when a black, male student (Karmelo Anthony), not from that team, entered this tent of a competing team. When he was asked to leave, Anthony refused and challenged Metcalf and at one point told him not to touch him. Metcalf did put his hands on Anthony from what appears to be an effort to remove him from the tent. Why he was there and insistent upon not leaving is not known at this time, but regardless, Anthony immediately reached into his backpack, pulled out a knife, and stabbed Metcalf in the heart, causing him to bleed out and die at the scene in the arms of his twin brother.
When taken into custody by the police, Anthony admitted to the stabbing, so his guilt is not in doubt. He inquired at the time, and claims today, that it was self-defense. From these confirmed circumstances, no logical, common sense person could call this self-defense. Being grabbed by someone does not constitute fear for your life. There weren’t any punches thrown, and Metcalf had no weapons, just an immediate reaction by Anthony who used a weapon that was prohibited on the campus.
There are so many moral questions I have. Why did this kid have a knife with him at the track meet? Why did he go into another team’s tent where he didn’t belong? Why did he challenge another team when he was asked to leave, and when he was simply pushed (my word), did he feel the need to take the drastic measure of murdering someone?
Now we can expand this discussion. In fact, I think we must introduce into the discussion the moral perspectives of a person’s culture. It does us no good not to look at all reasons when we try to answer the above questions. What infuriates me is the reaction by some in our country that jumped to defend him, raising over $400,000.00 and supporting him on social media platforms. Today, his bail was reduced from $1M to $250,000… for a person accused of murder, and he has been released, albeit on house arrest with an ankle monitor. But while we’re asking questions of why, why would anyone jump to support this kid who has admitted to killing another human being? I don’t get it. If it’s a matter of race, that’s not a good reason. If we decide anything based on race, it’s not a good reason! Was the Daniel Penny case a case influenced by race? How about the George Floyd death case and the police officers of Chauvin that sparked the Black Lives Matter movement and widespread violence? Were those matters of race? Were they matters of a culture that turns perpetrators of violence or crimes into victims?
We need to be open and honest, and we need to meet evil and an antisocial culture no matter where or why it exists. We need to learn to talk and to debate, not just about race but about opposing political opinions. (The liberal Bill Maher meeting with Trump is an example… at least it was a start.) I have heard from exactly ZERO Democrats reacting to my Facebook posts or any of my blog posts. Again, I don’t exactly know why, but I can guess. They have tuned me out. They scroll right past any political post on FB and won’t come here to this blog… at least it appears they don’t want to engage in any meaningful conversation. If you’re a Democrat reading this, thank you for reading and being open to the viewpoints of this conservative Republican. (And by the way, there are ways to communicate with me that are private. You can respond here on the website, and you can e-mail me directly at a mailbox I’ve set aside specifically for this purpose: debate@thewestberrys.com.
We need a spiritual revival; we need to reset our moral values. I yearn for unity, peace, and a focus on common goals. This is my prayer.
Leave a Reply