A white woman accused African-American NBA star Kobe Bryant of rape and suddenly he had lost value, his morality was questioned and it was obvious many sports fans immediately concluded he was guilty.
Then, he was exonerated of rape when the woman accuser refused to go to trial. Bryant’s story is still doubted by many people.
A black woman accused three white Duke lacrosse players of rape. There was no DNA evidence of rape, but the prosecutor in Durham, N.C. says he will still pursue the case.
Why is it that many members of the press suddenly defended the white players? The words “innocent until proven guilty” were bandied about following the Duke incident almost hourly.
Why was there constant insinuation that Kobe Bryant was guilty while there was a constant vigil to protect the good names of the Duke lacrosse players?
The black woman is a college student and also worked as a stripper. She’s also a mom. Why is her title as “stripper” in every radio, TV or newspaper article, while “student” and “mother” are absent?
The questions asked here are rhetorical, but there are real answers.
Until America decides to deal with these inquiries, the river of racism that keeps digging a larger canyon between black and white citizens will continue to rage.
