Those 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.
Love the section on timelines. I created a 6-week plan using templates from Cheap movers Decatur for my Decatur long-distance move.
Any tips on moving a wine collection from DC? Washington DC international movers mentioned temperature-conscious packing.
Anyone tried chiropractic for tension headaches? This breakdown convinced me: Thousand Oaks Chiropractor
Needed extra blankets and shrink wrap— Cheap movers Virginia Beach let me compare materials included by VA Beach movers.
Few companies respond as fast as Equity Roofing. Their emergency service saved our home from major water damage. New roof installation Olympia
13WIN là một nền tảng cá cược hiện đại, cung cấp đa dạng trò chơi cùng dịch vụ chuyên nghiệp, phù hợp với cả người mới lẫn người chơi có kinh nghiệm https://hyperskidsafricana.org
NK88 nổi lên như 1 cái tên quen thuộc với cộng đồng người chơi. Không chỉ sở hữu lượng thành viên đăng ký ấn tượng, nền tảng được đánh giá cao nhờ hệ sinh thái trò chơi đa dạng, tốc độ xử lý nhanh NK88
68win mang đến hành trình cá cược khác biệt, nơi mọi thao tác đều được thiết kế hướng đến sự thuận tiện cho khách hàng 68win
Loved the photo inspection process. Long Beach Auto Transport sent time-stamped images at pickup and delivery, which made claims worry-free.
68WIN là nền tảng giải trí trực tuyến được nhiều người chơi quan tâm nhờ sự uy tín và chất lượng dịch vụ ổn định https://cf68win.club
Thanks for the great tips. Discover more at TLC Carpett Cleaning .
The noise transfer tips helped our condo. For underlayment solutions in Charlotte, flooring repair contractors recommended the right product.
For anyone near McCormick Ranch needing urgent leak detection, 24 hour plumber Scottsdale was the quickest way I found help.
Мини-сериал «Чернобыль» от HBO — это пять напряжённых эпизодов о техногенной трагедии 1986 года, восстановленной с точностью исторического репортажа. История рассказана через судьбы учёных, ликвидаторов и партийных чиновников — и каждый из них показывает, как ложь и система превращают аварию в апокалипсис. Ищете чернобыль все серии? Смотреть сериал онлайн в хорошем качестве можно на chernobyl-smotret.online — все пять серий доступны бесплатно. Визуальная точность поражает: каждая деталь — от обстановки квартир до форменной одежды — возвращает в СССР образца 1986 года. За жанром исторической драмы скрывается жёсткий разговор о том, чего стоит институциональная ложь.
9Bet là nền tảng cá cược trực tuyến tập trung casino và thể thao điện tử. Website có giao diện rõ ràng, dễ tiếp cận và bảo mật tốt. Phù hợp cho người chơi mới.
9BET
Businesses relocating staff between LA and Tehran: Tehrangeles commercial movers built a policy playbook that kept HR and budgets aligned.
Loved the checklist for plumbing before selling a home. Pre-sale inspections at troubleshoot plumbing NRH .
Lucky88 cung cấp hệ thống cá cược trực tuyến với casino và slot đổi thưởng phổ biến. Website tập trung tối ưu trải nghiệm người dùng và tốc độ xử lý nhanh. Phù hợp cho người chơi thường xuyên.
Lucky88
Lucky88 cung cấp hệ thống cá cược trực tuyến với casino và slot đổi thưởng phổ biến. Website tập trung tối ưu trải nghiệm người dùng và tốc độ xử lý nhanh. Phù hợp cho người chơi thường xuyên.
Lucky88
Lucky88 cung cấp hệ thống cá cược trực tuyến với casino và slot đổi thưởng phổ biến. Website tập trung tối ưu trải nghiệm người dùng và tốc độ xử lý nhanh. Phù hợp cho người chơi thường xuyên.
Lucky88
Super informative read. For anyone ready to take the next step, Thousand Oaks Chiropractor is a convenient way to find the best chiropractor in your area.
Lucky88 cung cấp hệ thống cá cược trực tuyến với casino và slot đổi thưởng phổ biến. Website tập trung tối ưu trải nghiệm người dùng và tốc độ xử lý nhanh. Phù hợp cho người chơi thường xuyên.
Lucky88
9Bet là nền tảng cá cược trực tuyến tập trung casino và thể thao điện tử. Website có giao diện rõ ràng, dễ tiếp cận và bảo mật tốt. Phù hợp cho người chơi mới.
9BET
Lucky88 cung cấp hệ thống cá cược trực tuyến với casino và slot đổi thưởng phổ biến. Website tập trung tối ưu trải nghiệm người dùng và tốc độ xử lý nhanh. Phù hợp cho người chơi thường xuyên.
Lucky88
Really impressed with the rate of beginning from funny flags for sale novelty flag store usa while purchasing my flags!
9Bet là nền tảng cá cược trực tuyến tập trung casino và thể thao điện tử. Website có giao diện rõ ràng, dễ tiếp cận và bảo mật tốt. Phù hợp cho người chơi mới.
9BET
What a stuff of un-ambiguity and preserveness of precious knowledge on the topic of
unexpected emotions. http://Www.Dunklesauge.de/topsite/index.php?a=stats&u=xieleticia
They even helped my teen daughter with her back issues after a minor fender-bender. Very gentle and kid-friendly. Car accident chiropractor
The piece on tandem breakers and space-savers was eye-opening. I got a proper solution via electrical installation San Antonio .
The siding upgrade completely changed the look of our home. We’re thrilled with the result. Roofer near me
This guide to pipe insulation was helpful. More resources at plumbers in Fort Worth .
Shoulder tension can be complex. A Chiropractor in Thousand Oaks from Thousand Oaks Chiropractor identified my underlying issue and treated it effectively.
I’ve by no means been enable down by the carrier from locksmith orlando florida ! They absolutely are on hand on every occasion you desire them.
We avoided data center downtime in Covington by following the pre-move checklist from Local movers Covington .
The movers from this West Babylon moving company were courteous and handled everything with care. West Babylon moving company
Scheduling my appointments at Kent Car Accident Chiropractic was super easy, and they always followed up to check on my progress. Whiplash Chiropractor
After reading BBB reviews, I chose San Antonio auto transport for San Antonio auto transport and the communication was top-notch.
We used a Yonkers moving company for our office move, and they were incredibly efficient and professional. Cheap movers Yonkers
If you need a locksmith in Orlando, don’t hesitate to call Locksmith Unit Orlando Florida! They are efficient and very skilled! More info at locksmith orlando florida .
dubai marina property investment 1 bhk for rent in dubai monthly dubai properties timingshow to buy flat in dubai
Самый лучший магазин! качество, цены, общение с клиентом, все на высшем уровне! продолжайте в том же духе и вам зачтется: ) https://perevod-plus.ru Это точно!) главное быть в этом уверенным. Да и ровненький магазин однакокролики ставят В\В, фашку от этого магазина по 0.07-0.15 нравится, только сушит сильно
generic amoxicillin online: fast delivery amoxicillin usa – trusted antibiotic pharmacy usa
Bookmarking this! I’m moving out of Decatur next month and started a quote thread after reading about it on Cheap movers Decatur .
1win вход без приложения https://1win96781.help
Single-subject matter emblem kits with mild/dark harmonization are smooth. We rebuilt subject pairs for arkido web portfolio simply by OKLCH.
https://amunra-italia.com/
Looking for Diamond Bar commercial movers that can provide a COI and work with building management? I used Long distance movers Diamond Bar to find fully insured teams.
Cupertino mornings are chilly; upgrading recovery rate made a big difference. Consulted with 24 hour plumber Cupertino .
Military PCS from Arlington? Ask about discounts. I found a carrier offering one through Arlington car transportation services .
Solid advice on marine insurance. I compared full-value coverage and ended up insuring through Tehrangeles commercial movers for peace of mind.