Race Shouldn't Be a Factor in Rape
YO! Youth Outlook Multimedia, News Analysis, Eming Piansay, Posted: Nov 06, 2009
Editor's Note: The gang rape of a Richmond High student outside of her Homecoming dance has caused a wide range of discussion about race and crime, particularly over the Internet. People from Richmond and beyond share their opinions on the public forum YouTube, many bringing up race as a primary reason for what happened. But one young writer asks: why is race relevant in a rape crime?
Contra Costa Times, the 15-year-old girl who was brutally gang raped outside of her Homecoming dance at Richmond High was Caucasian. This piece of information has left a lot of room for speculation and discussion.
When the news of the Richmond rape incident first broke, it wasn't long before people started to ask, “So, what’s her race?”
I discussed the incident with a friend of mine, sharing our own horrific takes on the two hour ordeal, when I finally ventured to ask the question, “What was her ethnicity?”
“I just asked that question to someone else yesterday,” my friend said, “We thought she was Latina or Asian.”
Following the rape, Kami Baker, a Caucasian junior at Richmond High, appeared on CNN and said she felt unsafe because she, as other students at Richmond High, comprise the minority ethnic group.
“We are ostracized because of our race and [being a] minority,” said Baker. “There are Mexicans and blacks around me everywhere.”
According to data about student enrollment by race for the school year 2007-2008 on Richmond High's Web site, the school had the following racial breakdown: 11.96 African American, 76.43 percent Hispanic or Latino, 6.76 percent Asian, and 1.91 percent white.
YouTube, one of the biggest forums for discussion of the Richmond gang-rape case, housed hundreds of responses written by young people from Richmond and beyond.
One YouTube user, "stefanimaree," posted, “There are only 35 white students at Richmond; what, they just happened to randomly come across her? Either way, this was a hate attack. She was a white female, attacked by a group consisting of black and Hispanic males. It's not rocket science.”
Another YouTuber, "seans10" commented on the fact that race was not being prominently displayed as the story unfolded, “It's my impression that the victim was probably white. Richmond High School is only 2 percent white. Was it just a coincidence that they picked this poor girl? If the facts and races were reversed, race would be the story.”
The 15-year-old victim was at the wrong place at the wrong time. There is no evidence to suggest if it had been any other girl, the same thing wouldn’t have happened.
"IrishDrogg" also commented on the racial aspect of this incident, writing, “If this was a black girl getting raped by 10 white guys, it'd be all about race. But the fact that it's a white girl getting raped by a diverse section of minorities... couldn't possibly be about race. Despite the fact that whites are a minority in Richmond. The relatives of the only black suspect are already claiming he only got fingered in the case because he's black....”
Whether it had been a white or black girl who was victimized, labeling one crime as racially motivated and not the other as a racial crime purely on the fact that the victim wasn't black doesn't make any sense. Either they’re both about race or they’re not. You can’t pick and choose your color-coding on this one – all signs point to hate crime.
YouTuber user “Sofa510” said crimes like this happen all the time.
"I’m from Richmond and from what I heard the 15-year-old went to the guys and she wanted to drink and smoke with the guys, then the 15-year-old wanted to have sex with all the guys, and this shit happens everyday all over the world the reason people are putting this crime all over the news is because the bitch is white."
Sometimes stories get played up more, depending on the race of the victim. And that’s unfortunate because any crime: rape, murder should be getting out there, should be on the front page of the San Francisco Chronicle, LA Times, New York Times. It should be a top ranked issue and not subjected to the rules of race and what will and will sell newspapers get the highest TV ratings.
YouTubeer
“YamixeD” took a more sympathetic view towards the victim.
"Yeah, she was of Caucasian race on a side note race has nothing to do with what has happened other than the bad name given to us Chicanos and what not but seriously what they did to that young girl was sickening. There is no reason why she should have to suffer what she went through. It’s just unfair. Why? I ask why, what is becoming of us? Is this the effect of poverty, violence, or is this because of our lack of role models to show us what’s the different from right and wrong?"
It is interesting to note that the national majority, Caucasians, is Richmond High’s minority. The comments made by Richmond High’s Baker gave a peek into what appears to be the mindset of white students in Richmond. According to RichmondConfidential.org, as of October 5, there have been 41 homicides. With that much violence going on in a city, there is no doubt that the young people in Richmond High have become saturated with these types of news. I suppose this goes back to Baker's frustration with being the minority at Richmond High. Your environment definitely plays a big roll in the way you see things, and if all you see is violence around you, then I can see why she would feel uncomfortable, especially given the current state of things.
Having gone to a high school where the majority was Asian American, I never got the impression that there was any radical racial tensions. Then again, I went to one of the most ‘white washed’ high schools in San Francisco.
I don’t think it is fair to take one incident and use it to say all white people should be afraid for their safety. Since the boys who attacked the victim were from various races, that reiterates this notion that race may have not played a factor at all. It was just a bunch of boys targeting a defenseless girl.
Race shouldn’t be the issue in rape. It shouldn’t be what makes us care more or less, and it certainly shouldn't change the way we see someone’s suffering. In this day and age, it’s hard not to add the additional, “Oh, it’s cuz she was black/white.” It shouldn’t matter if the girl was black, white, blue or orange – she’s a human being.
Related Articles:
Monster in My Math Class -- Richmond Student React to Rape
Young People Process Homecoming Gang Rape
Rape is Hate Crime
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User Comments
Chris on Nov 09, 2009 at 01:53:52 said:
I'm a black male and I believe that because the attack was against a woman (a girl) that it IS a hate crime, not for race, but hatred against women.
Crimes like this should be charged as hate crimes. People want to say it's about race in order to get themselves more involved and angry.
Racism is a hot-button issue where people get all angry and righteous.
Meanwhile, sexism is so mainstream that people ignore it completely.
I have mixed feeling as to rather race played a primary factor in the attack. If it had been a latin or black girl would it have happened. Maybe. I think the fact that the girl was such a racial minority might have made her an easier target, simply because she might not have that many relatives who would retaliate with violence.
However, I think race isn't the problem that this crime reflects. It's the global sexism towards women that's the problem. Women are objectified, even in America to being trophies or prizes.
Who gets the girl?
First comes the money, then comes the power, and then the women.
This is the society we live in. From the billion dollar lavish entertainment industry to the dirtiest, poor sections of society.
All in all, I think that focusing on race would be a horrible turn for this crime to take.
You can acknowledge possible racial motivation, yes. But don't make it the issue.
The ISSUE, is against WOMEN! Period. This is what you should be upset about.
That GIRL was attacked, brutalized, and humiliated by a group of MEN! That's where this should start and finish.
OneWhoKnow on Nov 08, 2009 at 11:20:43 said:
I can tell you why race IS a factor. If this had been a black or hispanic girl raped by 10 white males, while another 20 white males sat around, laughed, and took pictures, there would be a racial explosion that would probably end in more violence.
As a white male, I am told over and over that race does not matter, but when a white commits a crime, his race is all over the news, especially when it is against a minority.
These days, the double standard is so bad that it is easy to know when the crime was a minority against a white, it really is simple, the media simply does not mention race. However, the next time a white kid punches a black kid, and another white kid laughs, Al Sharpton, J.jackson, the media, and most of these blogs will all be condeming hate crimes in this country.
Race should not be a factor, but don't tell me for a second it is not.
realist on Nov 07, 2009 at 19:52:31 said:
Race is a factor Race was a factor because the testosterone levels of certain groups is higher than others leading them to more impuslive behavior. In addition, blacks have long history of standing around and watching violence and doing nothing about it. There is story after story of whites being attacked or killed by blacks while people stood by and watched. Research the brutal beating death of a white boy in Crofton while groups of blacks stood by and watched. Absolutely shameful and it should not be tolerated.
Dr. Ahmed on Nov 07, 2009 at 11:36:29 said:
Is the rape of the 15 year old girl a hate crime? Most likely it is both a hate crime motivated by race and gender. Further, anytime you have a victim who is a different race than the perps, it must seriously be investigated as a hate crime both by local officials and the Federal Government. Where are all the selective, race hustling, grievance whores and pimps on this one? Where is LaRaza, the N.A.A.C.P., Southern Poverty Law Center, Dept. of Justice under Holder, A.C.L.U.?
All civil people and especially people of lighter color need to organize a mass protest and demand hate crime charges are filed on this one! Both based on gender and race. Where is N.O.W.? Who will let this girl down? Who will stand up to the hate?
If it were a Mexican or black girl raped by white guys would we hear the end of the hate crime component? The Constitution guarantees equal protection of the law!
I can't tell you what I and millions of Fathers like to do to these subhumans. And that goes for all the cowards and degenerates that watched and were complicit in this horrendous rape/hate crime! Shame on you all!!!
Linda on Nov 07, 2009 at 08:50:52 said:
Don't worry...Nancy Grace is working on this story. Haven't you noticed that all she talks about are tots and white women?
rape is a hate crime against women on Nov 06, 2009 at 22:48:31 said:
Yes rape was a hate crime- against WOMEN. The girl was raped because she is female. Her attackers were male. Rape is a heterosexual problem that reflects the attitude and hate that heterosexual men have against women. Rape is the result of gender inequality and a society that lets men do whatever they want with very few consequences- straight people usually blame rape victims for the violence perpetrated on them by straight men, because of their own internalized sexism and misogyny. That is why so many women blamed the girl in this case- they continue to defend men even when it does not serve them.
New Yorker on Nov 06, 2009 at 18:40:29 said:
Of course Race should be an issue! That is one fact to determine if this crime was motivated by a racial component, which would determine if it was a hate crime. Race is important to evaluate what charges to file.
Rape is terrible in any case but please do not dismiss all the facts.
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