In reference to the previous post, I found this bigger, color picture of Collin Finnerty. I believe this one is from his high school days. (Hat tip: University Dairies)
After coming from the Unity Conference and hearing the Reverend Irene Monroe speak about the intersections between racism, sexism, homophobia/heterosexism, etc, something struck me differently when thinking about the Duke situation, especially in light of Collin Finnerty’s anti-gay incident. Differing types of prejudice and discrimination are indeed connected. If one is a homophobe, s/he is likely a racist and/or racist. Considering the current Duke Lacrosse team situation… can anyone else other than me see the intersection between anti-gay Finnerty and the possible racist, classist, rapist Finnerty?

Looks as though Mr. Finnerty is just one of those equal opportunity offenders… as most of them are.

THIS IS THE REASON HATE CRIMES LEGISLATION IS NEEDED NOW. All groups which have historically received great amounts of prejudice, hate, oppression and violence should be protected. By cutting down on these habitual hate crime offenders and those who commit out of either a sense of “privilege” or “class”, America will become better.

I would also like to take the time to point out some major themes running through the Duke University Lacrosse team scandal and show how they are almost always found together in society:

• Racism – reports at the time of the event say that ethnic slurs were used
• Sexism – of course… the easy one: men used their power to control a women and abuse her
• White privilege – those involved… are mainly (all but one) rich, white, privileged kids at a prestigious university and prior criminal records that daddy and mommy have always gotten them out of
• Homophobia/Heterosexism – it is known that at least one of the team members has been involved in anti-LGBT hate incidents in the past and, given the not always so good climate toward LGBT folk at Duke… I’m sure other team members have had their fair share of queer bashing.

These, of course, are not the only factors involved…. just the big ones I see.

I know someone out there will disagree with me on the things I’ve said here. I know that some will agree. It is indeed a hot topic… but I had to speak out.