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. XofucrdMed

    На сайте https://obozrevatel.org/ вы найдете полезную информацию, актуальные новости на самую разную тему, в том числе, экономическую, политическую. Рассматриваются самые последние происшествия, события, которые точно заслуживают вашего внимания. Здесь выкладывается не только сухая статистика, цифры, но и фоторепортажи, картинки, информация подкрепляется видео для большей наглядности. Каждый день выкладывается новая информация из достоверных источников. А потому вы узнаете много нового.

  2. GIRLS-INTO-YOU.COM

    But with all due respect, are the remainder of us ready to sacrifice the institution of the family in the unsubstantiated hope that doing so will make it simpler for Sullivan to keep his trousers zipped? Eight September 2003 (arresting dissidents) The government of Turkmenistan is arresting dissidents, and even the household of dissidents, and sentencing them to compelled relocation without trial. Eight September 2003 (rebuilt) Israelis, Palestinians and visiting foreigners have together rebuilt a house that has been demolished by Israeli forces. Only a few weeks in the past, the Bush forces shot and killed a journalist. In the occasion you dedicate various time browsing, each final internet site you search or weblink that you click on on, retrievals and othervarieties of adware and some of those might hyperlink to porno webpages, which continue to maintain sprouting up at infuriating stretches. While hotlines and forums can offer assist, therapy stays the simplest way to grasp and alter compulsive behaviors over time. It’s a condition that affects males wherein a man ejaculates sooner than they’d like whereas having sexual intercourse. Some details could have modified (and I’d prefer to see an up to date version of this report), however the basic image is certainly the identical.

  3. Conheça o SBO2U

    Please let me know if you’re looking for a article writer for your blog.
    You have some really good posts and I feel I would be a good asset.
    If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d absolutely love to write some material for your blog in exchange for a
    link back to mine. Please send me an email if interested.
    Thanks!

  4. чат порно

    I was suggested this website by my cousin. I’m no longer certain whether or not this put
    up is written by way of him as nobody else recognize such specific approximately
    my trouble. You’re amazing! Thank you!

  5. Editor’s Choice

    I absolutely love your blog.. Very nice colors & theme. Did you create this amazing site yourself?
    Please reply back as I’m trying to create my own personal blog and would
    love to learn where you got this from or exactly what
    the theme is called. Thanks!

  6. link slot penipu play303

    Wow, amazing blog format! How lengthy have you ever been running a blog for?

    you made running a blog glance easy. The overall glance of your web site
    is excellent, let alone the content material!

  7. aesthetic clinic singapore

    Please let me know if you’re looking for a writer
    for your site. You have some really great articles and I believe I would be a good asset.
    If you ever want to take some of the load
    off, I’d love to write some content for
    your blog in exchange for a link back to mine.
    Please shoot me an e-mail if interested. Thank you!

  8. slotra

    This is the perfect website for anybody who wants to understand this
    topic. You understand so much its almost tough to argue with you (not that
    I actually would want to…HaHa). You definitely put
    a new spin on a subject that has been written about for ages.
    Excellent stuff, just great!

  9. https://keytoto.cn.com/

    I’m not sure where you’re getting your information, but great
    topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding
    more. Thanks for wonderful info I was looking for this info for my mission.

  10. Williewef

    Мы предлагаем оформление дипломов ВУЗов по всей России и СНГ — 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 4870 клиентов воспользовались услугой — теперь ваша очередь.

    Купить диплом о среднем профессиональном образовании — ответим быстро, без лишних формальностей.

  11. salam dari bung nibung

    Hey there! This post couldn’t be written any better!
    Reading this post reminds me of my good old room mate!
    He always kept talking about this. I will forward this
    article to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read.

    Thank you for sharing!

  12. slotra

    Heya i am for the first time here. I came across this board and I find It truly useful & it helped me out a lot.
    I hope to give something back and aid others like you helped me.

  13. slotra

    Heya i am for the first time here. I came across this board and I find It truly useful & it helped me out a lot.
    I hope to give something back and aid others like you helped me.

  14. chat export

    each time i used to read smaller articles that also clear
    their motive, and that is also happening with this
    post which I am reading at this place.

  15. SheliaBon

    Покупка дипломов ВУЗов в Москве — 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 4713 клиентов воспользовались услугой — теперь ваша очередь.

    Звоните — ответим быстро, без лишних формальностей.

  16. yezuxPiomo

    Сайт remont.kr.ua вам обязательно понравится. Здесь имеются такие рубрики: новости, недвижимость, рынок, строительство, ремонт. Мы для вас подборку интересных материалов подготовили. Они взяты из открытых источников. https://remont.kr.ua/ – портал с удобным интерфейсом. Здесь представлена исключительно полезная информация. Будьте в курсе актуальных новостей. Статьи сопровождаются качественными фотографиями, они легко читаются. На ресурсе поиск имеется, советуем воспользоваться им. Добро пожаловать на наш ресурс!

  17. IsmaelNed

    Покупка дипломов ВУЗов в Москве — 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 1612 клиентов воспользовались услугой — теперь ваша очередь.

    На этой странице — ответим быстро, без лишних формальностей.

  18. Michaelunupe

    Покупка дипломов ВУЗов по всей России и СНГ — 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 2687 клиентов воспользовались услугой — теперь ваша очередь.

    Перейти — ответим быстро, без лишних формальностей.

  19. klub4d

    It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d
    certainly donate to this superb blog! I suppose for now i’ll settle for book-marking
    and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to fresh updates and
    will share this site with my Facebook group. Chat soon!

  20. казино вован

    Vovan Casino — это мир развлечений. Здесь каждый гость найдёт игру по вкусу — от легендарных автоматов до современных игровых решений. Не теряй шанс — https://arielsochi.ru/ и начни путь к крупным победам!

    Играть в Vovan Casino — это удовольствие. Всё создано для комфорта: атмосфера, где хочется возвращаться снова и снова.

    Подарки новичкам и лояльность к постоянным игрокам
    Выиграл — получил, всё честно
    На смартфоне, планшете или ПК — одинаково удобно

    Окунись в игру, где каждый спин может стать судьбоносным

  21. https://cfood.vn

    I do not even know the way I finished up right here,
    but I assumed this publish was once good. I do not realize who you might
    be however definitely you’re going to a well-known blogger if you
    are not already. Cheers! https://cfood.vn cfood tay ninh

  22. hentaigonzo

    You’ve made some decent points there. I checked on the
    web to find out more about the issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this website.

  23. خرید بک لینک

    My developer is trying to convince 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 Movable-type on numerous
    websites for about a year and am anxious about switching to
    another platform. I have heard good things about blogengine.net.
    Is there a way I can transfer all my wordpress content
    into it? Any kind of help would be really appreciated!

    Here is my page; خرید بک لینک

  24. Williewef

    Мы предлагаем оформление дипломов ВУЗов по всей России и СНГ — 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 3387 клиентов воспользовались услугой — теперь ваша очередь.

    Мы поможем — ответим быстро, без лишних формальностей.

Leave a Reply

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