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.
The customer pricing strategy post-close was thoughtful. We run elasticity tests at Dealmakers Academy coaching .
The point about timing top-ups every 9–12 months matches what I learned on lip filler .
Thanks for the informative content. More at DaniellaLevi and Associates .
Solid advice about hair traps. If it still backs up, I recommend calling hydro jetting service in Alexandria.
From inspection to final signature, the Austin auto shipping process was straightforward with Austin car shipping .
Our tilt-and-turn wouldn’t lock— Double Glazing Repairs reset the mechanism and replaced a worn cam.
We’re decluttering a rental unit—this guide plus roll off Fresno CA helped us keep costs down.
Locking cam was worn— Cat Flap Installation replaced it and re-synced the mechanism.
This submit nailed the significance of flashing info around chimneys and skylights roofing contractors pasadena ca
Resources geometry dash apk
I like that you covered recycling centers. I match haulers with green policies at roll off dumpster rental .
Отзывы вроде неплохие купить кокаин, купить мефедрон, купить гашиш, купить бошки концентрация 1к 12 мне норм разврдил на муравьином спирте (купил его в аптеке)Привет ребята! В улан-удэ синие кристаллы имеются?
Spot on with this write-up, I honestly feel this amazing site needs
a great deal more attention. I’ll probably be returning to read through more, thanks for the information!
We Help You Hole Apartments In Dubai Apace And Safely.
Gain The Paramount Deals, Prime Locations, And Complete Stand From Our Experts.
Solid mention of blade and guard cleanliness. We soak, disinfect, and air-dry thoroughly. Do you track dwell times for disinfectants? Reno, NV cat grooming services
read what he said capcut premium apk
For voiceover and dubbing in varied languages, Translation agency London in London is a stable spouse.
Магазин работает!!! Бро очень понктуален!!! Магазину процветание и новых клиентов!!! https://businessguards.ru Бро я постоянный клиент в этом магазине! Магазин работает очень качественно и товар на высшем уровне!!!ЕМИКАЛ МИКС – ЭТО ЛУЧШИЙ МАГАЗИН С МНОГОЛЕТНЕЙ РЕПУТАЦИЕЙ НА РЦ РЫНКЕ!!!!
Great insights! Discover more at Dr Fishers Medical Weight Loss Centers .
Thanks for the practical tips. More at abogado laboral Coruña .
visite site gta san andreas apk
11Win là cổng giải trí trực tuyến cung cấp casino và trò chơi đổi thưởng đa dạng. Website được tối ưu tốc độ tải, giao diện rõ ràng và dễ thao tác trên nhiều thiết bị. Phù hợp cho người chơi giải trí linh hoạt.
11WIN
11Win là cổng giải trí trực tuyến cung cấp casino và trò chơi đổi thưởng đa dạng. Website được tối ưu tốc độ tải, giao diện rõ ràng và dễ thao tác trên nhiều thiết bị. Phù hợp cho người chơi giải trí linh hoạt.
11WIN
11Win là cổng giải trí trực tuyến cung cấp casino và trò chơi đổi thưởng đa dạng. Website được tối ưu tốc độ tải, giao diện rõ ràng và dễ thao tác trên nhiều thiết bị. Phù hợp cho người chơi giải trí linh hoạt.
11WIN
This is quite enlightening. Check out Daniella Levi & Associates for more.
This was very beneficial. For more, visit DaniellaLevi and Associates .
Good write-up. I certainly love this website.
Stick with it!
My cat hates clippers, but the groomers at Fayetteville, NC pet groomer near me are so patient and calm.
Thanks for the useful suggestions. Discover more at Dr. Fisher’s Medical Weight Loss Centers .
best site gta san andreas apk download
The article on avoiding damage was helpful. Greensboro moving company used floor runners and protected the walls.
Commercial build-outs need recurring swaps; I coordinate a schedule via dumpster rental services Scottsdale, AZ .
check over here gta sa apk
This is quite enlightening. Check out residential painting company for more.
Thanks for the helpful advice. Discover more at southwest movers for long distance .
This was a great help. Check out fremont long distance movers for more.
Totally agree about reputation management. Responding within 24 hours is our rule in local marketing in san jose. salazar digital local seo
Don’t underestimate how chatbots can customize fortify in casinos—recognizing returning gamers, surfacing imperative FAQs, and routing VIPs turbo to dealers. Add cozy workflows for check troubleshooting and you’ve bought a good CX upgrade More about the author
The way you introduce dryers to skittish pets—start far, low noise, pair with treats—is exactly what works. Do you use earmuffs? pet groomers reno Reno, NV
Valuable information! Discover more at stone fabricators near me .
А будете ли работать в Беларусии? купить кокаин, купить мефедрон, купить гашиш, купить бошки Я заказал еще 19 числа на сайте, оплатил 23 числа, ТС выслал 25 числа, тогда я и тут зарегился, так как он отправил не той службой, думал кинули. Пришло все вчера, забрал днем, попробовал вечеромПросто я попутал!
Thanks for the great explanation. More info at abogados laboralistas Sevilla .
This was very enlightening. For more, visit abogado cerca de mí Coruña .
Hello i am kavin, its my first time to commenting anywhere, when i read this article i thought i could
also make comment due to this brilliant post. https://ataxiav.com/vob/xe/Events_News/833902
http://stericarepharmacy.com/# prednisone 2 mg
This was a great article. Check out DaniellaLevi and Associates for more.
Great job! Discover more at DaniellaLevi and Associates .
This was the guide I needed to get started. I’m all set with a rental scheduled through rent roll off dumpsters .
Hi to every body, it’s my first pay a quick visit of this web site; this weblog consists
of awesome and actually excellent information in favor of visitors. https://Rentry.co/55276-de-pied-ferme
Puppy’s first groom went smoothly thanks to Fayetteville, NC cat grooming services and their gentle intro session.