Too many men perceive themselves as the predator when in actuality they are the prey. A beautiful smile, voluptuous breasts and shapely hips are just a few possible baits to bring a man to his demise. Consciously or subconsciously, I believe that most women know this. I am a woman, and I know the power of my own femininity.

I blame Kobe Bryant for what is happening to him whether he raped this young woman or not. A man of his economic and social status should have been intelligent enough to realize he has everything to lose, and she has everything to gain. Before engaging in a sexual act with this woman, he should have thought about his lucrative endorsement contracts with Nike, Sprite and numerous others. Name association is a valuable commodity based on a celebrity’s perceived integrity, clean reputation and moral character. Even if Kobe didn’t care about monetary success, maybe the priceless value of his wife’s trust and respect for him should have deterred him.

Maybe Kobe Bryant was unconscious or living on a remote island when our ex-president, Bill Clinton, almost lost his presidency over sexual misconduct. Monica Lewinsky would have been just another intern, but performing oral sex on the President has awarded her fame and fortune.

I think a woman who accuses a man of rape should not be given anonymity. While we are deciding if the man is guilty or not, we have already tarnished his reputation. We should either keep both names private until innocence or guilt has been proven or both names should be publicly noted. However, the current system is based on an antiquated legal system of inequality between men and women. We now have female judges, attorneys and women in powerful political positions. The belief that women are virtuous and pure and men are sexually promiscuous is a double standard that victimizes both women and men.

Cassandra George Sturges

Ypsilanti, MI