Sexual assault speaker provides new perspective

Unlike other sexual assault awareness event, Brian Banks brought a new perspective to students by sharing his own story during his session Tuesday, Nov. 17 in Memorial Hall Auditorium.

Banks, a former athlete and current activist against wrongful convictions, was falsely accused of sexual assault and imprisoned for the crime he didn’t commit. After 10 years, his conviction was overturned. Since then, he has become an activist against wrongful conviction and assists in wrongfully convicted individuals.

Banks emphasized on the Power of Choice during his presentation. He had to make tough choices during the hard time of his life. He was falsely accused for kidnapping and raping at the age of 16. He went through a roller coaster of emotion. During that time, he realized a lot of things, thanks to the Power of Choice. He chose what to do in bad situations. He also learns that everything took place that he had no control of; however, he could choose to take control of himself, what he could do in such situations and his future.

He told the students that in any circumstances, they need to let go of all the negative energy and have control of their emotions. If he hadn’t chosen that way, I would never have the life he is having now.

Furthermore, he also wanted students to know that you had to work hard and practice made perfection. People talked, but not doing it. In order to achieve your hopes and dreams, you had to work for it.

“Don’t judge me about what I’ve been through,” Banks said. “Judge me by how I’m dealing with it.”