Dear Editor,

I note with interest the electronic protest by some against a concert set to feature the American singer Chris Brown. The basis of the protest, as I understand it, is that Chris Brown was convicted in the American courts for domestic violence, so he should not perform here.

While I detest and denounce violence in any form, this society needs to be careful about the message it sends — even if unintentionally — to those who have broken laws. People who make mistakes very often pay more than one price for their actions. They are punished both in the traditional court and the court of public opinion.

They are placed in the judicial system and charged with a penalty that is considered appropriate and commensurate with the type of crime. When someone goes through this system and shows remorse for their actions, society should be careful it does not punish this offender again for that one mistake. The judicial system makes provisions for rehabilitation and repentance, but some offenders after being punished are often shunned by the public, unfairly denied jobs for which they are equally or even more qualified than others, and bombarded with other forms of discrimination.

This is unfair to that individual, and sends the message that there is no hope for second chances in life. It tells offenders that it makes no sense repenting for something, as the society which screams for rehabilitation is really not ready for it.

Each case is different and must be decided on its own set of facts, but where remorse and penitence are shown and rehabilitation is successful, society should not turn its back on this process. Many of us have been given second chances and go on to live exemplary and productive lives. If we truly believe in social responsibility, this is where we should show it.

Craig Flemmings

flemmo21@hotmail.com