immunity from any kind of punishment for things like rape? I don't understand the mentality. Can someone try to explain to me?
Money isn't the root of all evil. Love of money is.
If you aren't familiar with the recent rape conviction of 2 Vanderbilt University football players, please Google it. Sentencing will take place next month, but the charges against them carry a sentence of 20+ years.
shareOops, not anymore. Even if it was a technicality that caused a mistrial, they were convicted/hopefully will be again because these pieces of *beep* were on camera and blabbed their crimes to people. Convictions for "acquaintance rape" are not common, but these losers made it easier... well, we'll see if they are convicted next time.
To answer the OP, it's not just athletes who get away with such crimes; there definitely is a strange psychology with glorifying athletes--not unlike others who entertain us and are catapulted to "hero" status--but there are so many sociological issues that cause rapists to be defended by fellow citizens; white privilege of men, our patriarchal and often misogynistic society, and rape culture to name a few issues; they all swirls together. Take a "hero" who is accused, and people don't want to believe they'd do such a thing. "They've got everythng going for them." "They're a hero on the field." As if any of that has to do with (not) committing sex crimes (or any crimes). Many supporters can't have their fantasy shattered.
Many people live pathetic lives and even if they live to be 100 years old the ONLY thing they will have to be proud of is the time when they were 17 and caught a ball on a field.
As adults they live vicariously through other 17 year olds catching balls and idolize them. Its very sad.
There's nothing wrong with idolizing people who entertain you...it's when it reaches the point that you're willing to "look the other way" when those people commit reprehensible acts that values and morality become hideously twisted.
When you're given two choices, and don't like either of them...find another choice.