Facebook apologizes for removing Stanford rape meme

By Cosmopolitan

A meme featuring an image of Stanford rapist Brock Turner and the caption “MY NAME IS BROCK / I AM AN ADMINISTRATOR” was mistakenly removed from several users’ Facebook accounts today, Gizmodo reports.

Turner, a 20-year-old former Stanford University student, has been an object of public scorn since being sentenced to a lenient six-month prison term for sexually assaulting an unconscious woman behind a dorm dumpster in 2015. He was caught in the act by two men and attempted to flee the scene.

The reason for his lenient sentence? White male privileges. Judge Aaron Persky explained his decision: “A prison sentence would have a serious impact on him. I do not believe he poses a danger to others.”

Facebook users were upset that their posts were removed, especially because it did not violate community standards, which “allow open and critical discussion about individuals who appear in the news or have large audiences because of their profession or chosen activities.” And it’s public knowledge: Brock Turner is a rapist, even if the courts haven’t quite treated him as one.

Facebook, a company that has a habit of removing images unfairly, handled the situation pretty well and immediately apologized. They told Gizmodo:

Facebook assured Gizmodo that they’re not only working to restore the removed images, but will also ensure that future posts of the meme aren’t removed. So if you feel like it, go ahead and post. And while you’re at it, check out this website.

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