Race, Social Class, Communication, and Accusations: The Duke University Lacrosse Team Party

Abstract

This study examined how race and class differences between male team members and women performers impacted the angry verbal exchange at the Duke University lacrosse party and how this may have set the stage for the subsequent rape allegations. Online survey and focus group data were analyzed. Results indicated that racial differences and alcohol influenced the party's outcome. Individuals with class-diverse personal relationships were more aware of class-based differences in communication. African American respondents were more likely to see the effect of racial difference. Implications for the criminal justice system of class- and race-based miscommunication are discussed.

KEYTERMS:

• Race
• class
• lacrosse
• Duke University
• communication
• rape accusation

Notes

1. See http://www.studyresponse.net/index.htm

2. See http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/business/ecommerce/bus61.shtm.

3. StudyResponse requires that no potentially identifying data be gathered about its registrants. To protect their anonymity, registrants are given a unique identifying number upon signing up with the StudyResponse project. The final question in the present study's survey asked each respondent for his or her identifying number. Once survey data collection was complete, I e-mailed the data file to StudyResponse, whose staff added each respondent's sociodemographic characteristics. The complete data set was then e-mailed back to me.

4. I included this question as an indicator of respondents’ social class upbringing with the idea that intact, two-parent families will generally have more money (i.e., be higher on the social class scale in terms of income and assets) than families disrupted by divorce, separation, or the death of a parent.

5. This reflects a comment of one of the outside reviewers of the original submission. I am grateful for the suggestion.