Debra Dickerson posted a piece on her blog, The Last Plantation...is the Mind from a student council member from North Carolina Central Universtiy, Solomon Burnette. In ca
se you missed it, NCCU is the school where the young black woman attended that accused the Duke la crosse team members of rape.His piece, as a whole was weak and left me feeling exposed. But he did make one statement that explained my pain about this situation. In describing was happened that night, Burnette said,
"The women were, according to all accounts, called “nigger” and told to penetrate themselves with broomsticks (see Abner Louima). One of these women said that she was raped by three of these inebriated white men. People in power and those without disbelieved her. This is sickening."
That did it for me. Here is the comment and Debra's reply on The Last Plantation:
Yvonne Thompson wrote:
I subscribe to The Plantation and, at least, scan the posts as they come in. I have to thank you for posting this one, Debra. Somehow I wasn't sure why I felt (as a black woman) so uncomfortable, and once again, betrayed when the Duke lacrosse players were exonerated. I do know I barely withstood the thinly disguised celebratory air the newscasts took when reporting this bit of injustice. Burnette hit home with the statement quoted above. His piece, as a whole, had holes one could drive a truck through, however. To quote it again:
"The women were, according to all accounts, called “nigger” and told to penetrate themselves with broomsticks (see Abner Louima). One of these women said that she was raped by three of these inebriated white men. People in power and those without disbelieved her. This is sickening."
I heard that one morning as I was pouring my coffee and sloshed some out of the cup as I gave a quiet cheer. If he only knew the baggage we carry as black women from the injustices and humiliations poured upon us by the likes of him and his ilk, he would realize that what he carries is little more than a carry-on.
Reply to this 4/25/2007 8:15 PM Debra Dickerson wrote:
Brilliant! I told John his comments were all 'his,' but I couldn't help stepping on this one. The comment in toto is dead on, but the last line? I'm tempted to delete the offering, just so I can steal it. You nailed it!
This made my day. Getting a "Brilliant!" from Debra Dickerson...well...that's no small thing. From what I know about her, she doesn't hand those out for a song.
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