PC Minefield at Duke

MinefieldThose of us who live in Durham, NC, seldom experience the glow of the national spotlight. We have become accustomed to seeing references to the Research Triangle area in the sports pages, but apparently not much else happens here that is worthy of notice by the rest of the country. Maybe that is what has led to the disequilibrium around here, especially among the usually confident voices of the university set who now find a bit of difficulty in hitting their marks and saying their lines in the case of the recent rape accusations against members of the Duke University lacrosse team.

Perhaps people have also been put off balance by the complex convergence of factors required to put Durham in the news. Attracting national attention has required a story combining the popular theme of sports and something else newsworthy–or prurient–enough to attract the notice of the national press. In this case it was that a young African American woman is the accuser and the accused are generally privileged white college athletes who have become rather notorious in the area for their rowdiness and run-ins with the law.

That by itself would make the story a local news item; a few more features have made it national news. The fact that these particular events occurred at Duke University, the Princeton of the South, didn’t hurt their newsworthiness. Besides its status as a powerhouse in both mens and womens basketball, it is also the “safety school” of many a well heeled northeastern high schooler. Thus, many people have heard of Duke, and they relate to it in various ways. It also didn’t hurt to add the convergence of the esoteric and the exotic–the esoteric sport of lacrosse and the titillating world of “exotic dance” inhabited by the accuser.

If all you knew where the broad outlines of the case, this would be a slam dunk, PC-wise. The accuser is a black woman of modest means, and the accused are members of a privileged group, many of whom are white graduates of prestigious prep schools. The typical response to this convergence of gender, race and, class is pre-scripted; the sides are already drawn; it is so simple. Of course you choose the side of the woman, the side of the less fortunate, and the side of the African American, obviously.

Unfortunately in this case, that puts you on the side of a single mother of two who has taken to stripping as a way to meet her financial needs. One must resist the temptation to judge, however, and there is always her status as student at a local university to dwell upon. Still, you have to be a little unsettled that the young lady was already too impaired to perform when she arrived at the crowded little house near Duke’s east campus. Even as you rail against the injustice of a system that forces Black women into early motherhood and exploitation, aren’t you a little concerned at some of her choices and the way they may have affected her children’s lives?

Steering clear of that uncomfortable fact, one can focus on her career in “exotic dance.” Perhaps we then suppose that in her mind, anyway, she had been employed to educate the young men of the lacrosse team in aspects of dance not already familiar to them, something “exotic,” something, perhaps, from the Mongolian steppe, performed in modest but sturdy garb–a costume woven from yak fleece, perhaps. Then things just went horribly, horribly wrong.

I simply didn’t realize the Duke’s lacrosse team’s degree of erudition. Pooling their resources, gathering up hundreds of dollars in the interest of broadening their understanding of world cultures–admirable group of young men, eh?

No, I don’t believe that either. I don’t think we can explain the lacrosse team’s interest in dance by the fact that Durham is the site of the American Dance Festival. And I think most of us are aware that these dancers are paid the first few hundred to walk through the door; the real money comes from what goes on after that.

This story has so many angles, however, so many approaches, that the news hounds could not stay away. When one can write a story to suit any one of a number of disparate audiences, it becomes a gold mine for writers. This being America, the elemental issue of injustice has served as a theme for many a member of the scribbling class. Hand-wringing and indignation have been applied with nearly equal measure.

The real enlightenment we might derive from a situation such as this comes from the peek it allows us to take into the current sociocultural situation in which we find ourselves. We see it in the necessity for mainstream journalists to write the story in a way that will offend as few people as possible. We see it in the implicit trust so many people have put in the words of the accuser. We see it in the righteousness of the District Attorney–and the fact that he is running for re-election at the moment.

Yep, this one has something for everyone, all right. Joe Sixpack weighs in right beside the college president, and it all sounds about the same–well, except that Joe Sixpack might know more about living in Animal House and what “exotic dancers” really do.

Postscript: This recent news story could not have been very welcome:

(April 6, from http://www.wral.com/news/8513890/detail.html?rss=ral&psp=news

According to a 2002 police report, the woman, currently a 27-year-old student at North Carolina Central University, gave a taxi driver a lap dance at a Durham strip club. Subsequently, according to the report, she stole the man’s car and led deputies on a high-speed chase that ended in Wake County. Apparently, the deputy thought the chase was over when the woman turned down a dead-end road near Brier Creek, but instead she tried to run over him, according to the police report. Additional information notes that her blood-alcohol level registered at more than twice the legal limit.

76,262 thoughts on “PC Minefield at Duke

  1. vivodtulaHaino

    Алкогольная зависимость – серьезная проблема, требующая внимательного подхода. Множество людей предпочитают анонимный поиск помощи, чтобы не столкнуться с осуждением. Нарколог на дом предоставляет услуги по выводу из запоя, гарантируя комфорт и конфиденциальность. Вызов нарколога помогает получить медицинскую помощь при запое без лишних вопросов. Анонимное лечение включает detox программы, где обеспечивается психологическая поддержка и медикаментозное сопровождение. Данный подход помогает предотвратить рецидив алкоголизма и способствует восстановлению после запойного состояния. Кризисная помощь предоставляет поддержку для преодоления острых состояний, предлагая все необходимые ресурсы. Таким образом, анонимный вывод из запоя – это вполне реальная возможность для тех, кто ищет помощь.

  2. Rogaine

    Hello, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar one and
    i was just wondering if you get a lot of spam remarks? If so how do you prevent it, any plugin or anything you
    can recommend? I get so much lately it’s driving me crazy so any support is very much appreciated.

  3. vivodzapojtulaHaino

    Капельница от запоя – это популярный метод терапии, который может быть осуществлен специалистом на дом конфиденциально в Туле. Основная цель процедуры – детоксикация организма и реабилитация после алкогольной зависимости. Однако важно учитывать ограничения и нежелательные реакции. Ограничения включают: серьезные сердечно-сосудистые заболевания, аллергии на компоненты капельницы и патологии почек. Побочные эффекты могут проявляться в виде боли в голове, тошнотных ощущений и аллергий. нарколог на дом анонимно тула Необходимо учитывать, что помощь нарколога предполагают не только лечение алкогольной зависимости, но и предотвращение рецидивов, реабилитацию и медицинскую помощь. Конфиденциальное лечение с помощью капельниц может значительно облегчить состояние пациента и ускорить процесс восстановления.

  4. bandar togel

    I know this if off topic but I’m looking
    into starting my own blog and was wondering what all
    is needed to get set up? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny?
    I’m not very web smart so I’m not 100% positive.
    Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.
    Cheers

  5. RichardLox

    Оформиление дипломов ВУЗов по всей Украине — с печатями, подписями, приложением и возможностью архивной записи (по запросу).
    Документ максимально приближен к оригиналу и проходит визуальную проверку.
    Мы гарантируем, что в случае проверки документа, подозрений не возникнет.

    – Конфиденциально
    – Доставка 3–7 дней
    – Любая специальность

    Уже более 4664 клиентов воспользовались услугой — теперь ваша очередь.

    Диплом купить заказ — ответим быстро, без лишних формальностей.

  6. HirokoRef

    Покупка дипломов ВУЗов по всей Украине — с печатями, подписями, приложением и возможностью архивной записи (по запросу).
    Документ максимально приближен к оригиналу и проходит визуальную проверку.
    Мы даем гарантию, что в случае проверки документа, подозрений не возникнет.

    – Конфиденциально
    – Доставка 3–7 дней
    – Любая специальность

    Уже более 3328 клиентов воспользовались услугой — теперь ваша очередь.

    Пишите нам — ответим быстро, без лишних формальностей.

  7. Arsolatex App

    Hello, Neat post. There is an issue together with your web site in web explorer, could
    check this? IE still is the market leader and a good component of other people will omit your fantastic
    writing due to this problem.

  8. Haleyhes

    Мы предлагаем оформление дипломов ВУЗов по всей Украине — с печатями, подписями, приложением и возможностью архивной записи (по запросу).
    Документ максимально приближен к оригиналу и проходит визуальную проверку.
    Мы даем гарантию, что в случае проверки документа, подозрений не возникнет.

    – Конфиденциально
    – Доставка 3–7 дней
    – Любая специальность

    Уже более 3839 клиентов воспользовались услугой — теперь ваша очередь.

    Купить диплом о высшем — ответим быстро, без лишних формальностей.

  9. löwen play

    That is a really good tip especially to those fresh to the blogosphere.
    Simple but very precise information… Thank you for sharing this one.
    A must read article!

  10. vivodzapojtulaHaino

    На сайте narkolog-tula010.ru вы сможете узнать о тарифах на вывод из запоя, а также получить сведения о ценах других услуг, таких как реабилитация и консультация нарколога. Забота семьи играет ключевую роль в процессе восстановления после запоя. Не забывайте, что лечение зависимостью – это комплексный подход, который включает как медицинские, так и психотерапевтические.

  11. Wildlife preservation

    I’m impressed, I have to admit. Seldom do I encounter a blog that’s both equally educative and interesting, and let
    me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head. The issue is an issue that too few folks are speaking intelligently about.
    I am very happy that I stumbled across this in my search
    for something relating to this.

  12. bk8

    Article writing is also a fun, if you be acquainted with afterward you can write if
    not it is difficult to write.

  13. murohfuere

    Компонентс Ру – интернет-магазин радиодеталей и электронных компонентов. Мы стремимся предложить покупателям широкий выбор товаров по доступным ценам. Для вас в наличии имеются: вентили и инверторы, индикаторы, источники питания, мультиметры, полупроводниковые модули, датчики и преобразователи, реле и переключатели, и другое. Ищете осциллограф? Components.ru – здесь представлен полный каталог продукции нашей компании. На портале вы можете с условиями доставки и оплаты ознакомиться. Сотрудничаем с юридическими и частными лицами. Всегда вам рады!

  14. Puruvwriny

    Visit BinTab https://bintab.com/ – these are experts with many years of experience in finance, technology and science. They analyze and evaluate biotech companies, high-tech startups and leaders in the field of artificial intelligence, to help clients make informed investment decisions when buying shares of biotech, advanced technology, artificial intelligence, natural resources and green energy companies.

  15. More information

    I blog frequently and I genuinely appreciate
    your content. The article has truly peaked my interest.
    I will bookmark your site and keep checking for new details about once per week.
    I opted in for your RSS feed as well.

  16. FXCipher

    FXCipher is an automated Forex trading robot designed to adapt to different market conditions using a combination of time-tested strategies
    and built-in protection systems. It’s known for its ability to recover from drawdowns and
    avoid major losses by using smart algorithms and risk control measures.
    While it has shown some promising backtests, real-world
    performance can vary depending on broker conditions and market volatility.
    It’s a decent option for traders looking for a hands-free
    solution, but as with any EA, it’s wise to test it on a demo account first and monitor it closely.

  17. hopohiSet

    Известный сайт предлагает вам стать финансово подкованным, в первых рядах ознакомиться с последними новостями из сферы банков, политики, различных учреждений. Также есть информация о приоритетных бизнес-направлениях. https://sberkooperativ.ru/ – на сайте самые свежие, актуальные данные, которые будут интересны всем, кто интересуется финансами, прибылью. Изучите данные, касающиеся котировок акций. Постоянно появляются любопытные публикации, фото. Следите за ними, советуйте портал знакомым.

  18. bapuundoP

    Промбазатула.рф предлагает известняковый и гранитный щебень, песок речной и горный, керамзит, кирпич битый, бутовый камень и многое другое. Гарантируем наилучшее качество и оперативную доставку без задержек в необходимое вам место. Если есть вопросы, позвоните по телефону, указанному на сайте. https://xn--80aaab5azacpik2am.xn--p1ai/ – здесь узнаете, почему выбирают именно нас, информация доступна в любое время. Мы предоставляем услуги автобуровой и готовы предложить привлекательные условия сотрудничества. Обращайтесь к нам!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *