My Duke/Imus Moment.

Last week.

Umi says, you gotta shine ya light.

In evidence class last week were discuss the rape shield laws.

Rule 412. Sex Offense Cases; Relevance of Alleged Victim's Past Sexual Behavior or Alleged Sexual Predisposition

(a) Evidence generally inadmissible.

The following evidence is not admissible in any civil or criminal proceeding involving alleged sexual misconduct except as provided in subdivisions (b) and (c):

(1) Evidence offered to prove that any alleged victim engaged in other sexual behavior.

(2) Evidence offered to prove any alleged victim's sexual predisposition.

Translation.

An alleged rape victims sexual history in a rape case is inadmissable.

The Duke case just came down last week, so my professor decided to use it as a "teaching moment".

One of my colleges says,

"Well can we offer into evidence the fact that she dressed like a prostitute [I paraphrase but this is the gist of his statement".

There were good hearted chuckles in the class as well as several FEMALE class mates looking around. Like. What? Did he just say that for real.

Personally.

I felt my HEART raise up in my throat and I KNEW that I had to say something.

I raised my hand.

She didn't call on me.

30 seconds later.

The moment passed.

She asked, "Did I see a hand raised in the back?"

Umi says, you gotta shine.

I did a two second debate in my head.

DID I wanna be the BLACK girl, talking about the Black girl topic?

NO.

But. My hands were sweaty so I said. Yes.

I raised my hand.

"In response to my collegue David's statement [class laughter] regarding
the admissability of the fact that the prostitute wore prostitute like clothing.

Him.

"Oh I was just kidding."

I didn't THINK to say it, but IT WAS THE IMUS defense in class.

White boys love to use it.

He said it. He meant it. He SHOULD have rode for his.

Have some integrity for christ sake.

But my mind was racing at the time, and I only realized it after class.

I responded.

I know, However, some things need to stated explicity.

One has to be very careful when making a statement regarding a womans clothing in relationship to rape, because it can lead to the very dangerous inference that how a woman dresses INVITES her to be raped.

A classmate that I have sat behind for 15 weeks turned around and mouthed thank you.

At first.

I was like "thats right".

But then I was like f*ck her.

I had to say what I needed to say, so it wasn't on MY HEART for the rest of the week.

I ain't your moral compass.

We all sat in the same class.

We ain't friends.

And I am the one that the courage to speak.


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Like I say.

Umi Says. Make it crack.

I gots Zora on mines.

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