Do not – I repeat, do not – consider your analysis of what’s going on in the media coverage of the horrific gang-rape case in Cleveland, TX, complete, until you’ve read what Lori has to say about it. From The Grio:
When a situation arises that seems to fit the stereotype — in this case, that some black men do rape — people become frenetic in their deflecting the stereotypes, going so far as to invoke other stereotypes to protect a historically targeted group. This helps contextualize, but certainly does not justify, some of the inconceivable media and community backlash against the young Latina rape survivor, which pointed to her clothing and behavior to attempt the suggestion that she was at least partially to blame for her own assault.
These are just a few examples of harmful and untrue sexual stereotype about blacks, Latinas, and women that came to a head in this case. So when will the cycle of race-baiting and violence be stopped?
Go read it, now. And then join me in my honest delight at the fact that there are thinkers like Lori, who engage fearlessly, and publicly, with these incredibly challenging and entangled problems.
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