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When Are We Going To Stop Defending Rapists?
A rapist is a rapist, that’s it.
15 years ago, during the summer of 2003, my world was rocked when Kobe Bryant, my favorite basketball player was arrested for sexual assault. This was a time before the internet had reached its peak, so information wasn't as accessible, so with no evidence to support her accusation or his denial, I was immediately on Kobe’s side. That blind loyalty only increased when he held a tearful press conference with his wife admitting to infidelity, but flatly denying the rape accusation.
No matter what was revealed during this very public investigation and trial, I never stopped believing in Kobe and when he gave an apology that reeked of a confession, I still questioned the victim and gave Bryant my undying loyalty.
You’re probably wondering why I’m talking about a 15-year-old case, I’ll get to the point. I was a teenager standing up for his idol. Despite a bunch of evidence, I let my adoration of Kobe block all logic; in hindsight, I was wrong. Reflecting as an adult, I can see how youth, ignorance, and partialness influenced my…
