Did Dharun Ravi Commit a Hate Crime?

Frostburg State University students were asked whether they believe Dharun Ravi, the Rutgers University student that taped his roommate having a sexual encounter with another male that resulted in his roommate jumping off a bridge to his death, should be charged with a hate crime. The students that were asked were in agreement that Ravi was wrong in his actions and that he should face serious consequences.

Calli Moniodis, an Ocean City, MD freshman at FSU majoring in Early Childhood Education, believes his actions should not be considered a hate crime. "It wasn't like he was doing something specific against gay people. It was something against his roommate."

Suddenly, Chelsea Vasseur, a Senior High School Student from Fayston, Vermont stopped her. "I am going to have to stop you right there," Vasseur interrupted. She then went on to explain to Moniodis why this is considered a hate crime. Her passion made Moniodis rethink her answer. "I would need to see all the details surrounding this case to make a decision."

"Him taping it was an invasion of privacy, but once he sent comments about gay people it became a hate crime," Vasseur explained. She then went on to say that she believes Ravi is being charged with both an invasion of privacy and a hate crime.

Rachel Dewoody, a Senior Mass Communication major from Rockville, Md believes he should be charged with a hate crime. "Yeah. That is such an invasion of space. I think it is really immature. You don't necessarily need to agree [with what he did]. He crossed the line."

Frostburg State University students are in agreement that the Rutgers University student should be held responsible for his malicious and deceitful actions, saying that his actions are definitely a hate crime. Ravi and his friend Molly Wei have been charged with two counts of invasion of privacy.