Giving Duke the Blues
Dick Meyers of CBS News weighs in with the usual harrumphing about the whole sordid mess involving the Duke lacrosse team. There's not much to say besides what he did: Terrible, ugly, unforgivable thing if true, likewise unfortunate and awful if false.
In any case, given some of the language on the part of the lacrosse team apparently used in email (and reportedly overheard by a neighbor), one can certainly say: Shame on them. What a repugnant way to behave, particularly in light of all the blessings they've been given. Some kind of oversight is certainly long overdue, and the purveyors of the hate-filled messages should have the good grace, at long last, to withdraw from the university whose reputation they've hurt so badly.
It would be nice if everyone could simply wait for the facts to come out before engaging in too much more discussion; these situations are terrible not only in themselves, but for what they become. People who are not directly involved start trying to manipulate the visceral emotions that have been stirred up in service of their own agendas.
For example, I heard it reported on MSNBC last night that an African-American female student had essentially charged that the campus as a whole is racist; when pressed for an example, she came up with nothing. Shame on her, too; as part of a race that has been unfairly stigmatized as a whole for the bad behavior of only some of its members, why would she turn around and treat Duke students in that same fashion?
I've spent time on Duke's campus. My twin brother is a graduate. I didn't know any lacrosse players, but the students I did know -- both then and later in law school -- were normal, wholesome, happy people. And as for the repeated invocations of "rich v. poor," it's worth noting that a substantial number of Duke students (like those at every major university in the country) are there because of general financial aid policies.
As this whole ugly mess is sorted out, let's at least keep it accurate.
In any case, given some of the language on the part of the lacrosse team apparently used in email (and reportedly overheard by a neighbor), one can certainly say: Shame on them. What a repugnant way to behave, particularly in light of all the blessings they've been given. Some kind of oversight is certainly long overdue, and the purveyors of the hate-filled messages should have the good grace, at long last, to withdraw from the university whose reputation they've hurt so badly.
It would be nice if everyone could simply wait for the facts to come out before engaging in too much more discussion; these situations are terrible not only in themselves, but for what they become. People who are not directly involved start trying to manipulate the visceral emotions that have been stirred up in service of their own agendas.
For example, I heard it reported on MSNBC last night that an African-American female student had essentially charged that the campus as a whole is racist; when pressed for an example, she came up with nothing. Shame on her, too; as part of a race that has been unfairly stigmatized as a whole for the bad behavior of only some of its members, why would she turn around and treat Duke students in that same fashion?
I've spent time on Duke's campus. My twin brother is a graduate. I didn't know any lacrosse players, but the students I did know -- both then and later in law school -- were normal, wholesome, happy people. And as for the repeated invocations of "rich v. poor," it's worth noting that a substantial number of Duke students (like those at every major university in the country) are there because of general financial aid policies.
As this whole ugly mess is sorted out, let's at least keep it accurate.
posted by LadybugUSA at 9:04 AM
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