 |
|
Bryan Goodland
Columnist
|
The publicity following the Kobe Bryant hearings is enough to make
almost anyone nauseous. Amidst all the publicity we sometimes miss
the fact that there is a victim in all this. Whether or not Bryant
raped this woman is inconsequential to the fact that her life has
been sent into a tailspin and the negative press and embarrassment
that she must be suffering makes her a victim regardless of what actually
occurred.
No one but Bryant and the alleged victim know at this point what
occurred in that hotel room and any speculation otherwise is just
that. When and if a trial occurs the public may find out more through
the various investigations and in the end a verdict will be rendered.
The sad thing is, no matter what verdict is decided upon, there is
really no winner in this. Bryant may be cleared of the rape charge,
but that still leaves the fact that he was sleeping around on his
wife, someone who could easily be seen as the second victim in all
of this. The woman who has accused Bryant of rape will have her life
ruined no matter what happens. She has already had to live in virtual
secrecy because of what might happen to her if the public at large
ever found out who she was. Once again. America’s obsession
with professional sports blocks out all rational thought.
Bryant’s defense team is set on making the alleged victim’s
accusations seem completely unfounded. They have begun to question
her sanity, her sexual behaviors, and her behavior after the alleged
rape occurred. No one ever seems to remember that no matter who this
woman is the fact remains she is someone’s daughter, someone’s
friend and a human being with feelings and emotions. She is not merely
an obstacle for a defense team to get around. She is not just potentially
dangerous testimony that must be squashed before it is even heard.
This is a person, a young woman who may be brought into the spotlight
and asked to speak about a very intimate subject in front of a group
of virtual strangers. Most people wouldn’t wish this on their
worst enemy.
The judge in the case may decide that this definitely deserves a
jury trial and Bryant could face anywhere from four years to life
in prison. At least that’s what a charge of this nature normally
warrants. But in the real world we all know that celebrities receive
special treatment and the sentences for those without high priced
lawyers and millions of dollars always seem more severe. America worships
at the altar of celebrity and allows preferential status for those
who bask in its spotlight. What a sad commentary this is on our society
as a whole.
So what good can possibly come of any of this? A marriage has been
tested, a victim has appeared and legions of fans have had a super
star’s image tarnished. Whatever happens from here on out will
be an ending to a very unfortunate situation, and whether he’s
found guilty or innocent the damage will have already been done. The
only good that could possibly come from this is if America finally
wakes up and realizes that everyone is human, no matter what his or
her status or income actually is. We are all capable of things we
would rather not admit to and none of us is without blame. But wait,
this is America and dreams die-hard here, so we may never wake up.
We may have to just live with our delusions and have reality strike
at us only when the mighty have fallen.
|
