Discussion List for campus-based and allied personnel working to end gender-based violence on campus.

["Christopher Kilmartin" <>]

I've appreciated everything that everyone has said about this topic -
thanks for helping me to use this problem as a teachable moment.
 
This is a somewhat minor consideration, so feel free to ignore it, but
can we please stop referring to him as just "Kobe"?  It feels to me like
a term of endearment - like he's our best friend.  I hate to hear a
double murderer referred to as "OJ" and it rankles me when even Al
Franken refers to "Rush" as though he is on a first name basis with
him.
 
Just a note from a college professor who thinks that language is
important.  thanks.
 
chris kilmartin
 
Christopher Kilmartin, Ph.D.
Professor of Psychology
University of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
(540) 654-1562  FAX 540-654-1836


>>> "Keith E. Edwards" 
>>> <>
>>>  9/3/2004 11:08:10 AM >>>

Kobe's own statement after the dismissal, which also included an 
agreement that the charges couldn't be re-filed, admits sex happened 
without her consent at the time. That's not even code for: Kobe has 
admitted that he raped the woman. 

While Kobe's actions infuriate me, the media's coverage of the
dismissal 
of his trial and his admission of rape as anything but, infuriates me
at 
a higher level.  Our mainstream media's depiction of the dismissal and

Kobe's statement as a vindication for Kobe is nauseating.  The way that

sports pages and sports programs have now shifted the discussion away 
from rape and ignoring Kobe's admission to rape to whether or not Kobe

can get his endorsements back is also bothersome.  But not as
despicable 
as the assertion that he should look for more edgy endorsements that 
will benefit from his new found appeal from 15 year old boys.  So being

charged with rape and then admitting it might help improve Kobe's 
financial portfolio?  There's an upside for Kobe?  Why are we not 
discussing the issue of why being charged with rape gives him
"edginess" 
and legitimacy among 15 year old boys.  I'm not even sure that's true,

but it does appear that in the eyes of 40 year old retired sports 
figures, who make these assertions on these sports programs, he has 
gained legitimacy, sympathy, and support.  I think that says more about

the retired sports figures than it does about 15 year old boys.

I do think issues of power and privilege around gender, wealth, 
celebrity, and race are all at play here.  I'm skeptical of the 
motivation of those who want to deal with one but not the others.  The

"oppression olympics" of debating which form of oppression is most 
important is not helpful in addressing any of these forms of
oppression, 
nor does it recognize the way these forms of oppression are intricately

interwoven in our society and sustain each other.  This case seems to
be 
a prime example of these complex dynamics.

Keith
www.menendingrape.org

-- 
Keith E. Edwards,
www.menendingrape.org
Doctoral Student, College Student Personnel Administration
University of Maryland

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