RAGE!!!!!!!!

We all hate Duke. We all hate elitism. We all hate Lacrosse. And we all hate rape. These points aside, it isn't fair to destroy the lives of 46 college students without a trial. The alleged rape that took place at a Lacrosse party at Duke University has become a rallying point for students across the country that are tired of the preferential treatment given to student athletes. The debate is also fueled by race and class, as a poor black student was assaulted by rich white athletes.

So yes, it would be easy to lynch the accused, arrest them, cancel the Duke Lacrosse program, and fire all associated coaches and staff. But after all team members (save the lone black athlete) gave DNA samples that turned out negative, the conviction is in doubt. It's degenerated into a 'he said, she said' type of case, with no witnesses or evidence. To add to the prosecution's problems, the accuser has a criminal record and the officer that found her that night described her as intoxicated. The case will be very hard to win, and it is entirely possible that the lacrosse players are innocent.

But no matter the outcome, because of the story being leaked to media outlets, the players will never be able to live normal lives at Duke University. True, the players are guilty of underaged drinking, and had no business hiring a stripper or taunting her with racial slurs (which some players admit happened), but that doesn't mean they should spend the rest of their university lives in fear of their own safety. Even if the crime was committed by three of the team members, the other 43 guys may have had nothing to do with it, didn't know about it, and have no association with the guilty other than playing on a sports team with them.

I agree that something has to be done to change the attitudes of athletes at these schools and their destructive behavior, but crucifying this team in particular based on circumstantial evidence is not right. Wait until the trial. If they're guilty, bring your guillotine. If their innocent, treat them as such, however rich and arrogant the assholes are.

peace and love,

-getupkid