Replies

http://www.heraldsun.com/opinion/hsletters/
Not about racism

Grant Farred's column headline ["Secret racism underlying lacrosse case," Oct. 29] summarizes the problem with his diatribe. The 'case' is the accusation of three students with assault and rape.

To this point every fact that has been disclosed publicly seems to exonerate the accused. Unfortunately, the DA and the media early on decided that all of the issues that Farred decries made these students guilty of a crime. While it is certainly important to discuss the issues Farred raised, they are not the crime for which these young men stand (apparently falsely) accused. He seems to want to convict these students of a crime because there is racism, sexism and underage drinking among lacrosse players. Should Farred be fired because some professors are racist, sexist or ultra right/left wing?

Equally strained is his criticism of students registering to vote. He states students are wrong for not being involved in the community and then wrong when they peaceably and democratically exercise their right to dissent from the ill-conceived actions of the DA.

These three young men are being made the scapegoat for real social ills that they did not create. It's time for educated people like Prof. Farred to differentiate between those social ills and criminal actions, rather than continuing to obfuscate.

DAVID ROSENTHAL

November 6, 2006