What propels rape stories to wide attention? Duke versus Virginia Union.

[Karmadillo]

The author suggests it's because we're more concerned with white-on-black and rich-on-poor crime. He's dreaming, of course, but he does raise an interesting question.

http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD%2FMGArticle%2FRTD_BasicArticle&%09s=1045855935174&c=MGArticle&cid=1137836062037&path=!news!columnists

<edit>

Syndicated columnist Leonard Pitts suggested the Duke case would've blown up even worse if the racial tables were turned.

"Imagine if the woman were white and reported being raped by three black members of the basketball team. You'd have to call out the National Guard."

<edit>

"That hyperbole isn't born out by the facts," said Richmond-area attorney Jeff Everhart.

He's representing one of the four Virginia Union University students indicted last week for allegedly raping a University of Richmond coed on Jan. 21.

All four of the accused are black, two who had ties to the football team. One was a star quarterback as a freshman. All four were considered good kids, attending a historic black university.

The victim is white, an out-of-state student attending the posh University of Richmond, which has Duke-size tuition.

more...

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

I've said it before and I'll say it again

I think class has become a bigger issue in this country than race. Yes, race and class have ties, however, for purposes of this discussion, class far outweighs race.

[marions ghost]

1. good question

maybe the Duke case is more attractive to be played up because the alleged perps are from the prestigious university and have a lot of money to fight the battle. A higher stakes contest is more exciting?

It would be interesting to know whether the same kind of defense of the perps and defense of the victim is playing out in VA. Does the VA woman's being from the more privileged situation give her greater clout and so it may be assumed that it is more likely she will win (esp against black defendants)? Is the amazing thing about the Duke case the fact that the woman (of ill repute by some definitions) is even pressing charges at all?