Category: Blog 11/17

“But by the time the eulogies are being written, it’s often too late, and all that’s left is contradicting emotions we have as we sort through the pieces.” – Amira Rose Davis

After reading this article this quote accurately describes my feelings towards Kobe Bryant. Although, he was a renowned athlete with widespread influence in not only the sport of basketball but also within society, he has an alleged devious past that labels him as a rapist and he even takes accountability for these actions. This proves that not all individuals with an incredible legacy are necessarily innocent people and in this case a person now referred to as a legend within the basketball community  is also a man that has committed a great sin in modern society. However, through using the context of the quote, Kobe Bryant is not the man portrayed in the article as seen through his dedication towards his children, community, and the sport, he is a changed person from 2003 and by sorting through these pieces that made up his life, he has taken accountability for what he has done and has spent his years after trying to become a better person in order to change himself from being a devious person and being portrayed as one in popular culture.

“And in what felt like a parallel conversation, there was a remembrance of Bryant as he existed for so many others: another man who hurt a woman and moved on, untouched.”

To be completely honest from the start, I never even heard about this case. The Kobe Bryant I knew was one who was an essentially perfect role model: hard-working, dedicated, focused, and loving to his family. Never would I have guessed that there was something so vile that tarnished his image. Before I get into my thoughts on the case, I would like to say that while I understand the authors points I do think that there isn’t anything wrong with leaving out the negative sides of his life story in trying to remember him immediately after his death. I am not saying that we should forget or ignore what he did, but I do believe there is a time and a place, and while I understand the author’s points, I do feel that to an extent, it is okay to especially highlight his accomplishments rather than slip ups directly after his passing. That being said, what he did is inexcusable and unforgivable. I think that the fact that I never really heard about the case shows something about how well it was pushed to the side and forgotten. I know that celebrities in general tend to get away with a lot, despite being in the public eye. I also know that athletes get away with more, because they have sports teams backing them and trying to change the attention of the public. Combined with the all important goals of winning in sports, it makes it easier to forget when Bryant is always winning more and more and always reaching new heights, creating new excitement. I have no idea how to fix this issue; I have no idea how to ensure that wrongdoers are held accountable. I too had forgotten the sexual assault case of Cristiano Ronaldo, of which I did have previous knowledge. How do I make sure that I hold him accountable? If courts do not and they continue to reach new exciting heights that I can’t help to get excited about, how do I make sure that I remember all facets of them? I honestly do not know the answer. In that sense, I am glad that some people tried to remind the world of the other sides of Kobe Bryant’s legacy. I am glad that some people are dedicated to making wrongdoers pay for their wrongs, but I wish that I could be more like them and remember that some of my heroes aren’t that heroic.

“Winning seems to absolve many things. So does money.”

This quote spoke out to me because it highlights how people are able to get away with things because they have fame and fortune. It shows that we are not all equal under the law. Just like Kobe, many other star athletes and celebrities have gotten away with criminal activities, because of their status, and their ability to pay off fines.

People stand by their favorite celebrities because they only remember the feelings that they have attached to them. The crimes also do not have any relevance in their day to day lives. For example, when Kobe allegedly raped the victim, we (or the media) didn’t immediately think about women suffering. We didn’t think about the possibility of this happening to our daughters, sisters, nieces, friends, cousins. We didn’t get angry at him. We listened in for the “tea,” we wanted all the details on the scandal. Instead, most fans only lament to the possibility of him behind bars, not being able to give his usual superstar performance on the courts, representing their city, and their  beloved game.

It is really easy to be blinded by their stardom, because the role they play on screen, on stage, or in the stadium is that of a superhero, and fictional heroes have no inherent faults.

“Winning seems to absolve many things. So does money.”

Some people choose to look the other way when it comes to Kobe Bryant’s sexual assault case. Many celebrities are given a pass when it comes to sexual assault and other crimes as well. People will dwell on it for a short period of time then purposely choose to forget about it because they don’t want to associate their favorite celebrity with their cruel actions. I think everyone who sexually assaults someone should be held accountable. When it comes to regular people, people will hold them accountable for their actions. You can’t pick and choose who you want to condemn when it comes to  committing sexual assault or causing any harm towards another person. Having a high status in society doesn’t take away from act committed towards an innocent person. The victim now has to deal with that trauma for the rest of her life. Kobe Bryant did make a claim taking some accountability for what he did. And yes it is possible to change as a person and I believe he probably feels guilty and bad about the situation. I do believe he made change in his life especially after having his children but it does not justify his actions. I don’t believe it is unforgivable but people shouldn’t justify it just because he is famous.

“ Bryant issued a statement to address the conclusion of the trial. ‘Although I truly believe this encounter between us was consensual, I recognize now that she did not and does not view this incident the same way I did,’ the statement read in part. ‘After months of reviewing discovery, listening to her attorney, and even her testimony in person, I now understand how she feels that she did not consent to this encounter.’    “

I think this quote truly highlights something special. Accountability. Unfortunately, accountability is something lost in America. Where accountability fades, self interest replaces it. In the United States, it is very common for one to wait until the police arrests them, the court sentences them, and the community imprisons them in order to finally admit your mistakes; however, even then some still cry innocent when clearly guilty. Although it is one’s legal right to go through these proceedings and hold onto life, the morality of accountability has been lost in the social sphere. By not taking accountability, the perpetrator further aggresses the victim and its family by removing the closure which the victim and his or her family requires and the possibility of peace. 

Whether or not Kobe Bryant sexually assaulted this lady, he admits the uncertainty of the situation. He reveals that both their views on the incident clashes and that he empathizes with how she feels. Evidently, he regrets his actions in the manner and understands the mistakes he made which led to the confusion between the two perspectives. Unlike others, he displays public remorse for the situation. Even though Bryant allegedly assaulted the lady and his actions are unforgivable, this statement attempts to open the door to do so.

“Winning seems to absolve many things. So does money. When the soccer club Juventus responded to the news that superstar Cristiano Ronaldo had settled with a woman in a sexual assault allegation years earlier, it tweeted that Ronaldo had shown “great professionalism and dedication” and was a “great champion,” before showing a clip of him scoring a goal and celebrating.”

This quote stood out to me since I find it fascinating how so many men/women are able to get away with rape and sexual assault allegations because of money fame or wins. Celebrities like Cristiano Ronaldo should not be forgiven and their cases should not be forgotten easier than that of the average person. Using his win to cover up his previous allegations seems morally wrong, especially towards the victim.

The quote that stood out to me was “Earlier this week, on the side of a building in Austin, Texas, an artist painted a mural in remembrance of Bryant. That same night, someone added the word “rapist” next to his face. Almost as soon as it appeared, it vanished. Painted over. Muted. A glimpse of the legacy Bryant leaves behind.”

Kobe Bryant gave a slight acknowledgment that he and the women he raped, were not on the same page. He believed it was consensual, but she thought it was sexual abuse. As soon as Bryant said that, the author said it put the whole issue to bed and everyone accepted it, and he continued to be respected as a legend. That is the same thing that happened here. Someone muted the remark that Bryant was a rapist, just as the media and his fans had done with the whole case. This quote also speaks out to rape victims of sexual assault in the workplace or in general; how their stories get muted because they are threatened, it is too difficult to speak out or any other reasons they may have. To this day, I continue to hear that Kobe Bryant was an amazing person, father, player, and overall legend, but I never hear about the pain he brought onto other people.