Pistorius- Guilty until proven innocent?

We've been reading a lot about South Africa in the papers lately and none of it good. It seems to be, still, the haven for racism and violence it once was. And now we discover another dark side; a misogynistic society (although they seem to go hand in hand don't they?) Perhaps because it's a misogynistic society violence proliferates?

It's a theory. Perhaps without a calming feminine side, politics becomes merely a tool of patriarchy and the arms of politics (army, police, media, bureaucracy...), an extension of its women-hating power brokers. (A debate for another time perhaps?)

Either way, the shocking death of Reeva Steenkamp at the hands of Oscar Pistorius left all of us lessened in some way. Not that we knew either of them, although we'd seen him in some international races. But somehow the whole thing was rather tragic.

I personally thought as the snippets of news was leaked that they'd had a fight and he'd just lost his temper and let loose. It does happen. But if you have a gun in the house it makes that momentary loss of rationality all the more liable to end in irrevocable tragedy. From his apparent remorse at her death I figured it was an accident; he had completely regretted his actions, perhaps even as he furiously pulled the trigger. He seemed genuinely devastated that she was gone. Perhaps he was more devastated by the realisation of his star studded life being over and prison looming. I don't know. I never will I guess.

News then of his brother also being arrested for a violent act did make me wonder whether there was more to the murder. Perhaps there was a severe case of misogyny at play- of the "I'll teach her..." variety. Perhaps the whole family are violent and suffer from anger management issues. Perhaps the whole society is violent (witness the atrocity of the over 3000 rapes per DAY in the country and I don't really think it's a perhaps).

You simply can't overcome hundreds of years of white supremacy, racism, genocidal behaviours (I heard with my own ears men talking about culling on the border and they weren't talking about elephants), black slavery, violence and murder overnight. It will take many years and probably generations. It is too ingrained in the culture despite their public face in view of international attention.

Irrespective, when I woke this morning and read that Pistorius was being given the cold shoulder by the athletic community I did wonder where our ethics should lie. Naturally if he did kill her in cold blood- premeditated, or hot -in anger, he would be shunned by many and reviled by most. He would in fact be incarcerated and the issue wouldn't come up. But he has not yet been tried. He has not yet been judged as a murderer. He is as yet, innocent.

I can't help but remember Lindy Chamberlain. I remember the revulsion she caused in the public; how she was judged and how the people spat at her and sent her hate mail. She lost everything: her child, her marriage, her reputation, friends, was imprisoned... and we find she had done nothing but been a mother whose bizarre story enraged a nation; a nation who hung, drew and quartered her without trial and without proof.

I do believe it is innocent until proven guilty. I do believe that I for one, am only too hesitant in casting the first stone because I know that often there but for the grace of God go I... whatever the sin.

We really must try to contain ourselves when it comes to matters of trial by media. We should have learned from past mistakes that often they get it wrong, or some other vile agendas are at play.