Camille's letter gives the argument that it was because of the atmosphere that she had done her crime and if the atmosphere had been different the results would have been different. Now I don't doubt that if the atmosphere had been different she never would have done the crime, but the atmosphere is not at fault it is the mindset.
Let me explain a bit of what I mean. Coming again from Camille's own apology:
Shouldn’t I know the difference between wrong and right?
Well yes, I should…but in certain circumstances our perspectives get seriously skewed. It was extremely hard to see the consequences in taking a couple pants, when around me people were lighting up cars, smashing windows and inflicting physical pain on one another. My train of thought at this point was that “the place is already broken into, most of the contents of the store have already been stolen, so what difference does it make if I take a couple things?” Not convinced? Maybe Christopher Schneider, assistant professor of sociology at UBC, can convince you. ...
"When you have a mob or riot-like activity, individual accountability tends to go out the window. People see other people setting fires and they think, ‘I’m going to set a fire too, and I won’t get caught.’ These types of people typically wouldn’t set a fire on their own."
Mindset shifts are subtle but they affect us every day and they happen rationally. When Camille states that it was hard to see the consequences in taking a couple pants, there is a mindset shift that says "I know this is wrong but I don't look as wrong as those people so I am still a good person." Or as she quotes Christopher Schneider, 'I'm going to set a fire too, and I won't get caught.' There is a cognitive thought implied the statement "I won't get caught," that the mind knows that it is wrong. If the mind didn't know it was wrong you would never have had to reason starting the fire could get you caught.
Well enough on the riot aspect and let's take bring it to our own backyard. We are never away from the mob. There is always something around us saying "if it feels good do it," "you deserve it," "just think of all the times you did right and no one noticed," or my favourite, "no one will ever know." We are continually around those voices and it is our decisions that truly make up what kind of person we will be.
When the clerk at Walmart gives me $20 extra back and argues that she gave me the right amount of change I have a choice. Either I can decide to pocket it as a "gift from God" or go to the service desk and give it back and keep my integrity. "Oh who cares? You argued your case and she thought she was right - why bother just keep the money!" It's not mine and just like I am not going to break into a cash register at the store and take money out I also am not going to steal money when it is handed to me. My integrity is worth more that twenty dollars.
Camille's justification is how society prefers to do things - "I wasn't as bad as those people so I must be good." Fortunately for Camille there are always people around to qualify as those people. For me there is a higher standard it is Jesus Christ. He lived a perfect sinless life that no earthly court could make a true accusation against. He has given us keys to our relationships with friends and strangers and He reminds us that we have shortcomings but there is a way beyond them.
More on that last topic later.
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