Attack the Victim!
by Dave Gibson, Columnist
October 17, 2003
I am disgusted by the all-out attempt to discredit Kobe Bryant's accuser; though
I am disgusted I am not surprised. The usual battery of defense attorneys have
been making the nightly talk show rounds, to cast aspersions on the young girl
who claims that Bryant raped her. How typical.
The latest bombshell dropped by Kobe Bryant's defense attorney (Pamela Mackey)
suggested that the injuries which the young girl had sustained could be "
consistent with a person who has had sex with three different men in three days".
I hope there is a special place in hell for Ms. Mackey!
The media discovered that the 19-year-old has had problems in the past with
depression and suddenly, she becomes a liar. As someone who has struggled with
depression most of my life, I can tell you it has no effect on one's ability
to tell the truth. To suggest otherwise is not only callous, but just plain
ignorant.
There is no reason to suspect that this girl is not telling the truth. The Eagle
County District Attorney seemed to find reason to believe her story, otherwise
charges would never have been filed. She reported the incident within a couple
of days, apparently still bearing the marks inflicted by her attacker which
suggests a very violent episode. She went to the hospital, where a rape kit
was implemented and evidence was found.
Bryant admitted that he had sex with the girl (because there was irrefutable
evidence which made it impossible to deny). He claims that the sex was consensual.
We now know that the young hotel worker had taken Bryant on a requested tour
of the hotel earlier in the day, she later went to Bryant's room, the two apparently
flirted a bit which led to some kissing. The woman alleges, she turned to leave
the room after rejecting his offer to join him in the hot tub, he then grabbed
her around the neck and raped her. Bryant claims that the two chatted, undressed,
had sex, dressed, and the girl left...all within 30 minutes. I find his account
doubtful at best.
DNA tests have shown the woman's blood to be on Bryant's T-shirt, this is consistent
with a vicious attack and helps to verify the young lady's story. Bryant, because
he is a spoiled celebrity and due to the fact that he is worshiped by so many,
believed that he could get away with this vile act simply by demanding the silence
of his hapless victim. Bryant has made the mistake that many celebrities have
made...he came to believe in his own larger-than-life image, thinking himself
untouchable and above the laws to which we mere mortals are subjected. Why should
he be forced to live his life by any code or set of moral standards other than
his own? After all, he is a great basketball player!
Why is the media so slanted in this matter towards Bryant? Could it be because
he is a rich, famous professional athlete and she is a 19-year-old nobody? You
see, there are two sets of rules in this country...One for the rich and famous
and one for the rest of us.
A large portion of this nation worships at the altar of celebrity. Anyone who
may level accusations against a popular figure (with or without merit), thus
interfering with their hero worship, is subsequently attacked. In this case,
the girl has been picked apart months before the trial is set to begin. The
offensive Tom Leykis even went so far as to name the victim on his radio show.
Outrageous!
Let us all assume for a moment that she is telling the truth and this modern
day 'knight in shining armor' did in fact rape her. What do you think she is
feeling right now? Perhaps, remorse over reporting this most heinous of crimes?
She no doubt is feeling victimized once again. That is exactly why most rapes
go unreported.
There is a belief in this society that it is acceptable to abuse the rape victim.
The media does it, the attorneys do it, unfortunately even the police sometimes
do it. All too often, claims of rape are not taken seriously and the victim
is actually put on trial. If it is discovered that the victim has ever before
had sex or has lived her life anywhere other than a convent...Well then she
must be branded a whore and a liar! God forbid we interfere with the Los Angeles
Lakers' bid at another NBA Championship! ***
© 2003 Dave Gibson
COPYRIGHT © 2003 BY THE AMERICAN PARTISAN. All writers retain rights to their work.