University rape claim awakens demons of America's Deep South

[Jenjie]

On first glance the house at 610 North Buchanan Boulevard does not stand out. Like the other properties on the eastern edge of Duke University's campus, it has a prime location looking out over the oak and magnolia trees beneath which pass a constant stream of joggers.

 

A little closer inspection suggests that this particular house has long been rented out to students rather than being occupied by loving owners: the paint is peeling and there is a general dishevelled air.

 

It was at this house that a black 27-year-old stripper was allegedly gang-raped by members of the university's almost exclusively white lacrosse team at a late night party at which she and another black woman, Kim Roberts, had been hired to perform. The alleged incident has created a storm, not just within the university, but across the country, highlighting some of the nation's more obvious faultlines and triggering a re-examination of the issues of race, class and gender. The alleged attack took place six weeks ago and yet the controversy has barely been out of the headlines. Two players - Reade Seligmann, 20, and 19-year-old Collin Finnerty - have been charged with raping the single mother-of-two and released on bail.

 

This week the controversy will intensify. The prosecutor, Mike Nifong, has indicated that he expects to charge a third member of the 46-strong squad. In addition, any day will see the publication of an investigation commissioned by the university into the lacrosse team. It is expected to highlight some of factors that could lie behind this incident.

 

"People have been trying to deal with the battle of good liberals fighting with themselves in believing [the allegations of] the rape victim or else believing in rights of the defendants," said Jacob Remus, 25, a post-graduate history student who had just walked past No 610. "There is also a disagreement about what lens to see this through - race, privilege, class or culture ... [i think] it's all of the above."

 

Those who seek to frame the incident as a simple clash between black and white, privileged and dispossessed, do not have to work hard. Duke University, a private college where students pay annual fees of $32,409 (£17,720) and where 71 per cent are white, has long been considered a bastion of privilege

 

(The rest of the article is at The Independent)

[berrywoman]

just the usual double standard we have here in the 'land of the free and equal'.... :rolleyes:

[Matter-Eater Lad]

Please explain

[berrywoman]

simple.... not everyone here is treated as equals. I am sure if it were a white stripper 'allegedly' raped by a team of prodominately black basketball players.. this would be a done deal... guys would have been jailed with no bail.. and convicted....

 

 

just my opinion.

[Matter-Eater Lad]

Well from what im hearing right now they DA doenst have alot to go on and so holding them without bond would be stupid. This isnt a race issue, its a rape issue. and sadly people try to make it such. pahetic

[SrfSnwColdplay]

This happens to be the county right next to mine. My dad actually works for a branch underneath the Duke Medical system.

 

If you ever lived in or around this county, you would know why this stripper is lying.

[SrfSnwColdplay]

Those boys are innocent. I have no doubt in my mind, no matter what anybody says.

 

And I don't know why I'm saying that...since I'm a UNC fan. Duke is our biggest rival.

[Matter-Eater Lad]

We dont know if the stripper is lying. it could be either way, she could be lying but just as likely she could have been raped.