Lacrosse Players Innocent, America Still Hates Duke

Full exoneration and proclamation of innocence is a special thing coming from North Carolina's Attorney General. Now there is no question, no lingering doubt, no "maybe this rich fucks did buy their freedom." I pretty much predicted this outcome, figuring the dropping of the forcible rape charge was the tumbling of the first domino.

Although I am black, and I root against Duke - having been briefly falsely accused of sexual assault back in college I could only see things from the lacrosse players perspective. I still remember the sudden shock after hearing the accusation. Then the mind goes blank as you are drilled for an explanation. Then the horror you experience when you realize your protests of innocence are falling on deaf ears. Later comes the fear when you swear on your honor, on your mother, on your God that these accusations are lies - only those closest to you believe you, and even they hestitate. That is experience is just punishment if you are guilty, but horrible torture if you are innocent. Neither the Duke players nor I deserved it.

These days the accusations of rape, sexual assault, or even stalking tar a person for years, if not for life. In simpler times such accusations was an insult to reputation and honor that could only be remedied by a duel. These days, unless the woman immediately recants, there is no salvation for reputation.