Savagery in America and the spectacle of a teenager's rape as public exhibition

Common Dreams - In America -- in my country -- I fear we are losing the battle for our humanity. Some say we have already lost it.

Deep down I think they may be right.

Such is the level of violence, voyeurism and detachment displayed this October in Richmond, California, when at least two dozen students cheered, laughed or simply stood by and watched as a 15-year-old girl was repeatedly raped, beaten and brutalized by an "unknown number of assailants."

This horrific act of terrorism took place in the parking lot of Richmond High School, just yards away from where the school was holding its annual homecoming dance.

One school administrator told a reporter that, "the dance itself was successful."

It seems the perpetrators of the crime had also staged a "successful" event. The assault reportedly went on for between two and three hours. During the entire time, everyone was cool, no one freaked out, no one called 911.

Some of the onlookers took photos with their cell phones. Others were composed enough to text their friends. Still another had the presence of mind to take the victim's wallet before leaving the scene of the crime.

An officer at the scene could barely contain himself as he spoke to reporters. "They treated [the rape] as if it were something to be viewed," he said. "Like an exhibit."

"She was raped, beaten, robbed and dehumanized by several suspects who were obviously OK enough with it to behave that way in each other's presence," another patrol supervisor in the city's Northern Policing District in Richmond said. "What makes it even more disturbing is the presence of others. People came by, saw what was happening, and failed to report it." Read more.