Kobe Bryant - Guilty of Rape (or not)?

[Prickly Pear]

Consider the possibility in the MJ case that the victims were children at the time. That their parents/guardians considered it acceptable for them to travel and have unsupervised sleepovers with an adult, to the extent that they went on tour with him. Consider that the parents perhaps had fame and money in sight and not the best interests of the children. Or maybe the parents decided that the publicity and court procedures would inflict even more harm to the children. These were children who had no way of knowing how to navigate the situation, and their guardians decided what to do. So the guardians handled it, settling for money. Then, as adults, and understanding the reality of what happened to them, they decide to come forward. Maybe for money or attention, but maybe because they are old enough to realize that they are important enough to have the truth out. Maybe they want to protect other children who are swept under the rug because of money and power and fame.

I can't tell you what happened for sure. True enough. In fact, I find it painful to think it of someone who was so talented and dedicated and delighted me with his work. But I cannot assume that they are lying. I have to live somewhere in the middle, with an uncomfortable realization that it is entirely plausible and either way, someone did something vile.

[Shahaku]

I was sexually assaulted for four years growing up. I told no one. Because when my mom asked my six year old self if the person (who was five years older than me) had been "messing around with me" the way they had that other girl on the bus, she was beyond angry and I had no way of knowing she wasn't angry with me. And by the time I knew enough to look back and realize her anger was at him, not me, I also realized my dad would kill him if he found out, and then land in prison. And at that point we were moving half way across the country, and telling wouldn't have changed anything. I was 10. I knew at 10 that it was best to keep my mouth shut.

Your stance is insulting and you are part of the problem.

[Bartmanhomer]

I was sexually assaulted for four years growing up. I told no one. Because when my mom asked my six year old self if the person (who was five years older than me) had been "messing around with me" the way they had that other girl on the bus, she was beyond angry and I had no way of knowing she wasn't angry with me. And by the time I knew enough to look back and realize her anger was at him, not me, I also realized my dad would kill him if he found out, and then land in prison. And at that point we were moving half way across the country, and telling wouldn't have changed anything. I was 10. I knew at 10 that it was best to keep my mouth shut.

Your stance is insulting and you are part of the problem.

I'm so sorry to hear that.