White Privilege In The Larry Nassar Trial

The Trail
White privilege plays a part in the Larry Nassar trial, in the way that women choose to testify or not in the trial. A quick time line is important to understanding the trial and the racial implications of the trail. First on December 16, 2016 Nassar is indicted on child pornography charges. On January 10, 2017 the first filing of law suits for sexual inappropriate behavior is filed. On October 1, 2017 Olympic medalist McKayla Maroney alleges she was abused by Nassar with the #MeToo movement. On November 10th, Aly Reisman alleges sexual assault as well. On November 21, 2017 Gold medalist Gabby Douglas alleges she was abused by Nassar and then on January 15th Simone Biles alleged she was also abused by Nassar. The trail was between

A very important fact that has to be understood is that gymnastics has been thought of for a long time as a white sport. Many of the memorial gymnasts are white, which does not allow black women to see themselves as Olympic gymnasts. The US gymnastic team has been working to diversify their team, with Olympic medalist Dominique’s Dawes, Gabby Douglas, and Simone Biles. Theses gymnasts still face criticism and end up representing their race with their accomplishments. The major point is that sexual assault occurs to many women, the testimonies were mostly white women. While a few women who identify as black did testify, these are not the women that the media focuses on. Kyle Stephens, Jada Capua, and Emma Ann Miller are none Olympic gymnasts, but their stories and speeches are highly commented and circulated throughout the media. Also, Aly Raisman was an Olympic gymnast who was assaulted by Nassar and was heavily followed through the media. While these white women testified, Douglas and Biles did not testify during the trial but did come out and talk about their sexual assault. the first male to come out to accuses Nassar of sexual assault also did not testify in the trail. This shows that the institution of sexual assault and trials as a lot of white women privilege. The stereotype of sexual assault victim is a white woman which is in reality not realistic. The gymnastic case shows that all types of people were sexually assaulted, it also showed that not everyone testified in the trail. The lack of testimonies from black women and men continue the stereotype which continues a vicious cycle of the institution of assault and criminal justice system. White privilege continues to influence how sexual assault is experience and resolved with which puts women in a negative