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.
This is my first time go to see at here and i am in fact pleassant to
read everthing at single place.
What’s up it’s me, I am also visiting this website daily, this web page is really pleasant and the visitors are really sharing nice thoughts.
купить диплом гознак купить диплом гознак .
I all the time used to study piece of writing in news papers but
now as I am a user of internet therefore from now I am using net for articles or reviews, thanks to web.
Many players are looking to switch from regular casinos to
anonymous gambling sites.
papamasque – Clean visuals, evocative tone, I feel drawn to explore more.
Hmm is anyone else experiencing problems with the
pictures on this blog loading? I’m trying to figure out if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
высшее образование купить диплом с занесением в реестр высшее образование купить диплом с занесением в реестр .
The $MTAUR token seems like a solid pick for anyone into casual gaming with crypto twists. Navigating mazes as a minotaur while earning in-game currency sounds addictive and rewarding. With the presale offering 80% off, it’s hard not to jump in early.
minotaurus ico
This is really interesting, You are a very skilled blogger.
I’ve joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of
your wonderful post. Also, I have shared your website in my social networks!
купить диплом в уфе купить диплом в уфе .
купить диплом техникума украина купить диплом техникума украина .
Hi there to every one, it’s really a nice for me to visit this
website, it includes precious Information.
купить диплом сварщика купить диплом сварщика .
Joined $MTAUR coin rush—bonuses galore. ICO’s whitepaper thorough. Endless fun ahead.
minotaurus presale
Hello my friend! I want to say that this article is awesome, nice written and come with almost all significant infos.
I would like to peer more posts like this
.
купить украинский диплом техникума в москве купить украинский диплом техникума в москве .
купить диплом в владикавказе http://rudik-diplom9.ru .
купить диплом биолога купить диплом биолога .
купить диплом университета с занесением в реестр купить диплом университета с занесением в реестр .
Minotaurus ICO details are out, and the referral program is genius for building community fast. I’ve already invited a few friends, and the bonuses are stacking up nicely. This could be the next big play-to-earn gem in 2025.
mtaur token
купить диплом в чите купить диплом в чите .
What’s up, constantly i used to check web site posts here in the early hours in the morning, as i like to learn more and more.
купить диплом о высшем с занесением в реестр купить диплом о высшем с занесением в реестр .
диплом купить реестр диплом купить реестр .
Minotaurus token’s multi-network ease impresses. Presale momentum to 2M USDT soon. Game unlocks exciting.
minotaurus presale
купить проведенный диплом моих купить проведенный диплом моих .
whoah this blog is excellent i love studying your posts.
Stay up the good work! You know, many individuals are hunting
round for this info, you can help them greatly.
купить диплом ветеринара купить диплом ветеринара .
An interesting discussion is definitely worth comment. There’s no doubt that that you should write more about this topic,
it might not be a taboo matter but typically people don’t discuss these subjects.
To the next! Many thanks!!
купить диплом в биробиджане купить диплом в биробиджане .
Exploring the Minotaurus whitepaper, and the roadmap is tight—from presale to exchange listing. The DAO voting for holders is a fresh take on governance. Bullish on $MTAUR for the long haul.
minotaurus ico
My programmer is trying to persuade me to move to .net
from PHP. I have always disliked the idea because of the costs.
But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using WordPress on a number
of websites for about a year and am anxious about switching to another platform.
I have heard very good things about blogengine.net.
Is there a way I can transfer all my wordpress posts into
it? Any kind of help would be really appreciated! http://zarea.flybb.ru/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=790
My programmer is trying to persuade me to move to .net
from PHP. I have always disliked the idea because of the costs.
But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using WordPress on a number
of websites for about a year and am anxious about switching to another platform.
I have heard very good things about blogengine.net.
Is there a way I can transfer all my wordpress posts into
it? Any kind of help would be really appreciated! http://zarea.flybb.ru/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=790
My programmer is trying to persuade me to move to .net from PHP.
I have always disliked the idea because of the costs.
But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using WordPress on a number of
websites for about a year and am anxious about switching to another platform.
I have heard very good things about blogengine.net.
Is there a way I can transfer all my wordpress posts into it?
Any kind of help would be really appreciated! http://zarea.flybb.ru/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=790
купить диплом в пятигорске купить диплом в пятигорске .
купить диплом эколога rudik-diplom13.ru .
пин ап живое казино http://pinup5006.ru/
купить диплом слесаря http://www.rudik-diplom2.ru/ – купить диплом слесаря .
где купить диплом медицинского колледжа frei-diplom10.ru .
WINPRO129 | Situs Slot Gacor Online Auto Maxwin X1000 Pragma
best game apps for real money (Normand) online pokies in united states, mini slot machine united states and usa slot festival, or free slot games in canada
купить свидетельство о разводе купить свидетельство о разводе .
купить диплом в бору http://www.rudik-diplom14.ru .
кухня глория kuhni-spb-4.ru .
детокс на дому https://narkolog-na-dom-1.ru .
https://ampaints.ru Все подробности по аренде оборудования для мероприятий представлены на сайте компании.
кухни в спб от производителя кухни в спб от производителя .
купить диплом в саранске купить диплом в саранске .
диплом колледжа купить в http://frei-diplom10.ru .