White Bear

This episode of Black Mirror was called White Bear. The premise of this episode was that someone who was an accessory to a little girl's kidnapping and her subsequent murder was subjected to a similar scenario every day for one month. Though her memory was wiped every new cycle, leaving her confused and scared everytime. The park where it was held encourages the people to help in her punishment and to shame her for her crimes. This episode deals with the problems with people enjoying cruel and unusual punishments of people who commit terrible crimes. This is a problem which is very relevant to our culture especially when certain stories can go viral and many people can comment with no real filter or any real consequences.

Her crime was terrible but her punishment was just as cruel. I do not think it is right to give a human being such pain no matter how terrible the crime. Inflicting this kind of pain dehumanizes the person. Which is exactly what is happening. The only way people would enjoy this torture is if they believe the person is not human enough. Criminals should not be punished but taught why something is wrong and help them become better. The prison system is meant to correct and rehabilitate people so that they can assimilate back into society. Though the system is imperfect and generally punishes inmates instead of rehabilitating them for society like it should. This kind of punishment could never get someone back into society. If anything, this punishment would just permanently scar them and probably drive them insane.

One very unsettling thing about this episode is the pure enjoyment the people who help out get. I understand that we already have certain shows that broadcast people's punishment, and I do not think people should watch those shows either. I think the whole justice system needs to take a new direction. If someone is convicted of a felony, they automatically become second class citizens, get punished in prison get out and commit more crimes because they cannot get a job because they went to jail. Some people may say that they are getting what they deserve, but I think that they lack compassion, if someone was truly rehabilitated in prison should not they get a second chance once they get out regardless of their criminal history. This episode of Black Mirror was especially interesting and gave me new insight in some problems I never really gave any prior thought.