Like clockwork, the story of the passenger violently dragged off the United Airlines flight was followed by the NOVIPE stories. Dr. Dao had “run-ins with authority” in the past! He was “no angel!” Of course, this is only relevant if you assume that everyone except an “angel” can reasonably expect to get roughed up any time they buy a plane ticket.
I call it the NOVIPE principle: NO Victim Is Perfect Enough.
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As might be expected, the NOVIPE principle kicks into high gear when it’s someone with more power oppressing someone from a less-powerful group. Like a cop beating or shooting a person of color. A corporation screwing over a flesh-and-blood human. A man sexually assaulting or harassing a woman. It’s always the victim who’s held up to the “angel” standard, never the cops who dragged David Dao off the plane, or the executives who designed United’s unconscionable policies.
In the case of sexual assault, it’s become customary to start with a ritual disclaimer about how “we’re not blaming the victim,” followed by an exhaustive straw-grasp for every possible indication that she was “no angel.” She had a history of anxiety or depression, so she can’t be believed. She had, at some point in her life, expressed interest in consensual sex. And heaven help her if she’d let that demon alcohol touch her lips.
We see the same pattern every time an unarmed African-American man or boy gets shot by police (or a police-wannabe like George Zimmermann). Trayvon Martin had ditched school before! (Did Zimmermann look up his truancy record before shooting?) He’d smoked pot! (So have 43% of adults in the US.) Eric Garner was selling loose cigarettes! (Is that a capital crime now?) After the Michael Brown shooting, social media was filled with speculations on “Which picture would they use if I was gunned down?” The one in the stereotypical tough-guy pose, or the one in the graduation cap and gown?
It shouldn’t be hard to understand. Everyone, not just “angels,” has a right not to be shot when they’re not endangering anyone. Everyone, not just “angels,” has a right not to be sexually harassed or assaulted. Everyone, not just “angels,” has a right not to get beaten up over the price of a plane ticket.
How hard is it to meet the “angel” standard? Alexandra Petri answered this in her timely Good Friday piece, Crucified Man Had Prior Run-in with Authorities:
Born (possibly out of wedlock?) in a stable, this jobless thirty-something of Middle Eastern origin had had previous run-ins with local authorities for disturbing the peace, and had become increasingly associated with the members of a fringe religious group. He spent the majority of his time in the company of sex workers and criminals.
On to Top Comments!
From Mike the Liberal:
I like the way jamess wrote his comment on the problem of the militarization of the “National Narrative”. Not only is it interesting, it looks like modern poetry!
From your humble (if antisocial) diarist:
JoanMar highlighted this comment from rflctammt on profiling and being profiled. Found in Eihenetu’s all-too-relevant diary I am reminded of a harrowing encounter with the police when I was 12.
Top mojo, courtesy of mik:
Picture quilt, courtesy of jotter: