Much has been made among on forums and on blogs of the differing responses by the Durham Police, Duke University and the pot-banging activists to the Duke lacrosse rape allegations and the recent rape allegation involving a black fraternity party on Gattis Street near East Campus. Perhaps sensitive to the charge, even some media are trying to maintain that there is some similarity in the media response, though that is patently nonsense. Today, The News & Observer of Raleigh and Duke officials made a play to sound even-handed in their approach to the two cases (emphasis added):

Because of the media interest in the case, Duke administrators have found temporary housing on campus for the four residents of the duplex.

“We wanted them to be able to concentrate on their classes,” said Larry Moneta, vice president of student affairs. “Right now, my priority is that the woman and her friends are getting the support they need.”

One is hard-pressed to find any media interest in the most recent case, in which an 18-year-old white Duke student alleges she was raped by a black man in the bathroom at the party house. The N&O story, for example, was played at the bottom of the local page, three columns wide and two inches deep with no photo. But what about the feminists and their allies who banged the pots and pans last spring upon news of a rape? Not a word. Not only has there been nary a word in public, the manner in which the feminist activists — and even the police — reacted on the Trinity Park listserv then and now is instructive.

On Friday, March 17, 2006, this was posted on the Trinity Park listserv by Durham Police Sgt. M.D. Gottlieb of District 2 Investigations:

The Durham Police District 2 Criminal Investigations Violent Crimes Unit is conducting an investigation concerning a rape of a young woman by three males at 610 N. Buchanan that was reported on 3/14/06 in the early morning hours. The female arrived at the residence for a party close to 11:30pm on Monday 3/13/2006 and left on Tuesday 3/14/2006 reportedly after midnight. Anyone in the area who saw or heard anything unusual, please contact Investigator Himan at 919-560-4582 x 229 or I at 560-4582 x 228. Thank you for your continued assistance.

Understand that this was days before the rape allegations became a news item. The first couple of responses criticized the landlord of the house and the loud parties, but these commenters were quickly put in their place by posters who asked where was their concern for the victim. This from March 20:

Come on now, my friendly neighbors. Who cares who owns the house? This is NOT about trash, noise, Trinity Properties, or anything else remotely related to Guy Solie. THIS IS ABOUT VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND SEXUAL ASSAULT, and potentially substance abuse.

There were no posts from March 20 to March 25, when the first details of the allegations were published, including allegations of a lack of cooperation by players, and a report of racial taunts by neighbors. Then it was wall-to-wall outrage. Like this one:

I am outraged. I am outraged that not one of the men on the Lacrosse team has an once of conscience to come forward. Shame on them. Shame on the parents who raised them. Who are this so-called “men” who shout racist slurs and have no respect for women, authority, indeed, for anyone? Who do they think they are?

My heart goes out to the woman who may have been assaulted (I say may, b/c no one has been convicted of any crime) and to the women who endured racial slurs and terror that night.

What does the community think of a candlelight vigil on the sidewalk in front of 610 Buchanan at 7 pm tonight?

At least this poster gave a nod to innocent-until-proven-guilty. Many didn’t. Here’s another from the morning of March 25:

It will be an unmitigated outrage if all of the students who refused to co-operate with the police (i.e., the wall of silence) are not expelled directly. Whether or not Duke takes a serious attitude about obstruction of an investigation of a crime of this magnitude will say volumes about the quality of Duke leadership.

The urge to protest in some way was palpable. Also from the morning of March 25:

By now, many of you have probably heard about the alleged rape in a house just off campus earlier this month. … [name redacted] asked me to let others know that she is organizing a silent protest at the men’s lacrosse game today at 1pm. All are welcome to participate. She is also leading a candlelight vigil in front of the house (610 N. Buchanan) at 7pm tonight. Again, any in the Duke community who are interested are welcome to attend.

And the conspiracy talk begins, mid-morning on March 25:

Why is Duke allowing the team to continue playing — to continue “business as usual?” Also, what’s behind them forfeiting the games – I wonder if the university wanted to avoid letting this issue get bigger, and called it off.

Next the privilege of Duke students is emphasized. The classism starts. This from an early riser (6 a.m.) on March 26:

It is an outrage that Duke’s only response to their stone-walling has been to defer to law enforcement. Will Duke’s recruiting motto be: “Send your Son and Daughter to Duke: Most of Our Students Haven’t Been Convicted Yet”? How can Duke tolerate a student body which includes students who have such an outrageously distorted sense of entitlement, irresponsibility, and narcissism that they flout the law? As a retired Duke faculty member, I ask where is the Duke administration and leadership on this? I say again, canceling games does not begin to address the problem.

In all this there was one voice of sanity, at 8 a.m. on March 26:

What is wrong with you? Your community has turned into a vigilante group!! Teachers, educators, ministers, parents so easy to convict without the complete story.

On this Sunday you would have stoned Christ of he were a part of the Duke Team. I’m personally ashamed of you!

Which brought this response an hour later from the retired Duke faculty member quoted above:

It is apparently alright with [name redacted] if the students refuse to co-operate with law enforcement and the investigation.

And yet more proof that there are sensible people in Trinity Park (afternoon of March 26:

I just want to point out that to date, no charges have been filed. Despite what so and so heard, or said, or did, the bottom line is that all of the facts are not in, people are innocent until proven guilty in our justice system, and we all have better things to do than to feak (sic) out over this before the facts are in.

I suggest we wait and see what facts come to light before we begin lynching any one with our words.

But this post is more indicative of the attitude that had already been cemented in the minds of the pot bangers (3:30, March 26):

Though the facts on exactly who committed the crime may not yet be known to us, the fact that the crime occured seems to be pretty irrefutable to me. A woman was brutally assaulted in our neighborhood. It doesn’t matter that we don’t know exactly who is guilty yet, we do know that SOMEBODY (several somebodies) ARE guilty.

It’s just a matter of time…

OK. I think you get the idea. Now, what has been the reaction on the Trinity Park listserv, as of today, since the alleged rape at the black fraternity party?

(sound of crickets)

That’s right.

Not. A. Word.

Not. A. Single. Post.