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THE MO'KELLY REPORT: Don't get Duped in Duke Case
A frequent reader and feedback contributor to this weekly column was somewhat miffed. He just didn't understand why I of all people hadn't weighed in with my two cents. It was true, I hadn't commented on ongoing investigation of the Duke University lacrosse team surrounding the alleged sexual assault of an African-American exotic dancer. But that was by choice, not by chance or from a level of disinterest.
I've looked at this case largely in the same way as I did the Kobe Bryant sexual assault case and others that are of a similar nature. There's the plaintiff's version of the truth, there's the defendant's version and the actual truth is probably somewhere in between the two. The pendulum likely doesn't swing all the way over to either side. In fact, I would even surmise that neither side is striving to be completely honest here. As they say, rarely are things as they seem and even less likely are they as someone would have you believe. There's simply too much at stake for both sides for me to accept either's contention at face value.
I doubt this is a matter of misunderstanding, misconception or mistaken intentions between these parties and of that I'm pretty certain. As to who might be 'more' guilty in that regard, everyone has their varied and disparate opinions. I haven't formed mine yet. When you have underage drinking and an unmonitored collegiate environment, the only reasonable assumption is that just about ANYTHING could have happened. But that's distinctly different than knowing it actually did happen...or happen in the way that either side has suggested.
The case has been high profile and high in racial tension. The idea of a sexual assault of an African-American woman by White 'frat' boys per se in North Carolina just begs to divide a city and likely a country along racial lines. It has Hollywood movie written all over it. Think "A Time to Kill," meets "The Accused."
It is a situation undeniably similar in nature to the Kobe Bryant incident for a multiplicity of reasons. The allegation of rape, mixed racial components and an esteemed reputation hanging in the balance are direct points of comparison. In some ways, it's just the Bryant case flipped upside down and the racial baggage that we all carry is simply reversed this time around.
Whereas I would submit that race is always a factor in the administration of justice, that doesn't mean that we as individuals don't have our own level of responsibility in making sure it doesn't play an unnecessary or excessive role. There has been criticism that the media has unfairly focused on describing the alleged victim as an 'exotic dancer' or 'stripper' while not also indicating she is a mother, college student and the like.
I would coldly respond that what the alleged victim did prior to the night in question or even what she does in her time outside of dancing is largely irrelevant. This case is about the alleged rape of an exotic dancer by members of the Duke lacrosse team. The woman was not on Duke's campus in the role of mother, daughter, student or any other capacity that may shine a more favorable light upon her. It is, what it is.and let's not try to obfuscate this fact. This is not a value judgment about her chosen line of work, but it is disingenuous to assert that because media spends more time highlighting this 'fact' as opposed to other information, it is somehow 'racist' in nature.
Along those same lines, for those who wish to decry the media for not spending 'ample' time highlighting the 'stellar' backgrounds of the Duke lacrosse players or how the allegations are seemingly 'contradictory' with their unblemished histories thus far is also misguided in nature.
Irrelevant too, I might add. There's a first time for everything, and just because it may seem 'unbelievable,' doesn't make it untrue.
The only material and meaningful information is the "what, where, when, why and how." It only matters what transpired during these hours and which side is telling 'more' of the truth than the other. In the way that Kobe Bryant's superior basketball skill and celebrity status have no bearing on whether he's capable of sexual assault; we should not assume that EITHER side in this instance is above reproach for reasons unrelated to that night. I don't care who might be an exceptional student, caring mother or a fabulous lacrosse player. I only care what actually took place and those facts are convoluted at best and highly debatable at this point.
The horrible history of the rape of African-American women by White men i something that can't be denied and surely should not be forgotten. At the same time, we have an inherent responsibility to wait and see where all of this goes before stepping out on race. If the evidence bears out that the alleged victim was in fact sexually assaulted and/or race has directly impacted its investigation; then by all means respond accordingly. Make no mistake, I would be all for it and will be right alongside you. But until then, we must be diligent and not rush to take sides along racial lines, when we are quite far from reaching the end of this story. I would hope that we seek to be on the side of 'right,' first and foremost.not only on the side of 'race.'
Otherwise, isn't that the very definition of racism?
The Mo'Kelly Report is an entertainment journal with a political slant. It is meant to inform, infuse and incite meaningful discourse...as well as entertain. The e-book "The Best of The Mo'Kelly Report" will be available in May of 2006. Morris W. O'Kelly can be reached at dark.gable@sbcglobal.net and he welcomes all commentary.
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