Tuesday, April 18, 2006

On Duke University and the Lacrosse Team Sex Scandal

I just saw this in today's top news:

Two Duke University lacrosse players face rape and kidnap charges

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) - Two Duke University students have posted $400,000 bond and are due to return to court May 15th.

Reade Seligmann and Collin Finnerty were arrested early this morning on charges of raping and kidnapping a woman hired to dance at a party.


I have to say that from the beginning when this story broke I have been really sickened by the whole thing. As most people probably are, I've been looking for someone to blame for this tragedy. I do call it a tragedy because to me it is a horrific tragedy about the evil things people can do to one another.

First I look to the coach. Surely there must have been something that he did to appear permissive of such conduct. And yet, these college students are of adult age. They know what is right and wrong, and they are each personally responsible for their actions that night.

What is scary to me is that this is not unique to Duke University. Sure Duke is a "white" school in a predominantly "black" community. And yes the community, and even the student body, is outraged, as it should be.

DURHAM, N.C. (NNPA) - They came to pray, hope and cry. More than 250 students of North Carolina Central University (NCCU) rallied in a candlelight vigil Apr. 3 to show their support and love for one of their own—the alleged victim of a brutal gang rape by several members of the predominately White Duke University lacrosse team at a wild off-campus party over four weeks ago.

Though many of the students at this small historically Black university had heard about the crime on the news when it first broke, they were not aware until recently that the alleged victim was also an NCCU student. They immediately came together to embrace her, sponsor drives to raise money for her support, and use the opportunity to speak out in a unified voice against domestic violence, sexual abuse and racism.

Renee Clark, NCCU Student Body president, read a statement from NCCU Chancellor James Ammons. “These allegations of what occurred at the Duke University lacrosse team’s party are disturbing, inhumane and insensitive,” the statement read.

Almost daily demonstrations by Duke University students outraged that administration officials not only kept quiet about the alleged assault for more than a week, but had not punished the lacrosse players for underage drinking, kept the story alive in the national and international press.


But this could happen anywhere. Even in the 21st century, people still conduct themselves like this.

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) -- President Richard Brodhead says coach Mike Pressler's resignation was "highly appropriate."

The coach's resignation comes amid a growing scandal involving allegations that three lacrosse players raped a stripper at an off-campus party.

On Wednesday, Duke canceled the rest of the lacrosse season.

One student has been suspended from school, for apparently sending an e-mail saying he wanted to invite more strippers to his dorm room, kill them and skin them.


This is the America my children will grow up in.

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