Monday, September 09, 2002

I want to comment some more on two posts below ("Just read this now.") I think Jeanne D'Arc sums up the importance of this case perfectly when she says:


The story confirmed everybody's worst fears about young men, race, class, and urban life. It confirmed something many conservatives wanted to believe and most liberals were doing their damnedest not to allow themselves to believe -- that there were growing numbers of young men (most of them -- oh, God, do we have to admit this -- minorities) who had no moral center whatsoever. Animals.

Thirteen years later, there's one more detail that needs to be added to the story: It was a lie.



And Sisyphus sums up my reaction pretty well with his title:

Oh, God, No.

This case was one of those defining cultural moments. It came near the peak of concerns about urban crime, and helped to construct and confirm people's worst fears. It allowed people like John DiIulio to speak of a "Super-Predator" underclass, some apparent new species of subhuman. It increased the public's tolerance for draconian and corrupt police tactics for which the city of Los Angeles will be paying a heavy financial price for years to come. Though such tactics are credited by some for falling crime rates in NYC, and I don't want to bother debating this point for now, but even if we accept it - at what cost, and who paid it?

It helped create an environment in which the Liberal Media could push The Bell Curve and The End of Racism as serious books.

It was a symbol of an era. And, it was complete and utter horseshit.


In addition, I'm sure some people owe the Reverend Al an apology over this one.