OT-OSU Band Instructor charged with rape of student

Submitted by MGoBrewMom on
I'm posting this because it is an important topic in our society today, and not really to bash OSU specifically. Except, well it happens to be their band, and this isn't the first alleged incident. I hadn't heard this story until now, and it is more of the stuff we hear about in a very sexualized culture on many (most? all?) college campuses. Awareness is important. That is all. http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/osus-drum-major-instructor-charged-…

Bando Calrissian

April 30th, 2015 at 11:17 AM ^

Holy shit. I remember this guy when he was their DM.

Sort of makes the Jon Waters firing seem even more reasonable, if this was the kind of person he kept around the band program.

The Mad Hatter

April 30th, 2015 at 11:18 AM ^

I remember a very "sexualized culture" around the marching band, 20 years ago at my high school.  Of course we didn't call it that at the time, but looking back, there was some shady (and probably illegal) stuff going on.

If he's guilty I hope the justice system punishes him accordingly.

Also, Fuck OSU.

901 P

April 30th, 2015 at 11:54 AM ^

I remember being shocked and surprised when I heard about a scandal involving the MSU band in the early 1990s (I think it involved sexual hazing). This may have been a little before American Pie came out, so that whole "one time at band camp" gag took on a bit more meaning. 

TyTrain32

April 30th, 2015 at 1:59 PM ^

am I on key? I tell ya what, a great topic on here for discuss man would be "what sports/football experience do you have so you can contribute from a relevant viewpoint and perspective...DISCUSS!"

Keep posting those mlive articles Nick!

MGoBrewMom

April 30th, 2015 at 11:26 AM ^

First, that the whole sexulaized culture thing isn't really new. However, awareness of it could plant seeds in someone's head that it isn't ok to force a woman, or hold her againster her will until she agrees...that is rape. And women and girls need to hear about these charges so they know it is not okay to be treated this way.

Second, Fuck OSU.

The Mad Hatter

April 30th, 2015 at 11:58 AM ^

And I wasn't trying to minimize the situation or do a "well it's always been this way so it really isn't a big deal".

I just think that it would be surprising to people that weren't around the band/choir cultures at their schools.  There was certainly a lot of blatant sexual harassment (both ways), casual sex, teacher/student sex, etc.

So I'm saddened that this happened, but I'm not the least bit surprised.

TESOE

April 30th, 2015 at 12:55 PM ^

I'm not saying people didn't have sex in the day but the sexual content young kids are exposed to nowadays makes me blush.

Identification is another issue with heightened and earlier exposure in American culture. I can't really comment on band sub culture.

Screw OSU.

justingoblue

April 30th, 2015 at 2:21 PM ^

As it should be for the justice system, but if his defense is that it was consensual, I don't think it's improper to socially shun someone for getting into a sexual situation where the power dynamics are so skewed.

Obviously we're not even at that point, but "beyond a reasonable doubt" isn't a very realistic or even ideal standard for non-violent censure.

justingoblue

April 30th, 2015 at 2:24 PM ^

Two very high profile examples in the sports world would be OJ and Aaron Hernandez. Press were camped out in front of their houses before they were even arrested, let alone arraigned.

MGoBlog recently ran a front page story on Frank Clark's arrest before he ever saw the inside of a court room.

JeepinBen

April 30th, 2015 at 1:51 PM ^

As a man who has a sister 3.5 years older than him... we both STILL remember the (great in my mind, less so in hers) day when I was all of a sudden bigger and stronger than her. Typical friendly sibling play fighting turned into me picking her up and tossing her on the couch, she made this face that said "the whole world has changed"... Let his sister know that things don't stay the same!

The Mad Hatter

April 30th, 2015 at 1:23 PM ^

what you're saying now.  Change my post title from "father" to "mother" then.

Either way, what you said comes off as sexist.  I don't have two daughters, I have one of each.  And I'm teaching both of them to treat everyone with respect, regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, or anything else.

And really, I'm just breaking balls.  I don't have a problem with your sentiment.

mgobleu

April 30th, 2015 at 3:06 PM ^

We'll have to agree to disagree; I think you're seriously reaching to call that sexist, given the intent. And it's not that I wouldn't teach my boys to respect men as well, I just don't think it's ever a bad idea to try to instill young men with a healthy respect for women.

mgoblue0970

May 1st, 2015 at 12:48 AM ^

I don't understand this thread and I genuinely like your posts mostly... but I'm not sure how anyone faults the other poster for raising his sons to be gentlemen?!

SalvatoreQuattro

April 30th, 2015 at 1:05 PM ^

I doubt that we'll eliminate rape(or any violent crime)without some genetic manipulation. But until that happens woman need to be taught how to defend themselves for protection and self-esteem reasons. A woman who can protect herself is likely to be less dependent on a man then one who cannot physically defend themselves. That's what I believe anyways.



Ideally, men would stop raping and we must try to get men from doing that. But this is a serious problem that requires more than one solution.



gbdub

April 30th, 2015 at 3:02 PM ^

Even more important is teaching how to be irresponsible responsibly. Always plan ahead, because once you voluntarily put yourself outside your normal state of mind, it's dangerous. Too many bad people looking to take advantage of that, and even if you're surrounded by otherwise good people in an equally inebriated state, it's easy to find yourself in a situation you later regret. Figure out your limits and your exit strategy while you're sober.




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LSAClassOf2000

April 30th, 2015 at 11:34 AM ^

Here's the Cleveland.com story linked in the article.

LINK

The rape reportedly occurred on April 15 in Kitchen's home in Columbus, records show. He is accused of inviting a woman to his home for drinks and then refusing to take her home, eventually forcing her into his bedroom for sex.

Between this and the Jon Waters stuff and other incidents, I don't even know what to say. The level of apparent institutionalized dysfunction in that band and the level of personal depravity that seems to exist in some of its members is .... holy crap.

StephenRKass

April 30th, 2015 at 11:57 AM ^

It is terrible that this happened, and I'm glad that charges have been filed.

I also agree with the comments in this thread about a "sexualized culture." I suspect that any environment where young men and women are in close proximity regularly and repeatedly is susceptible to a sexualized culture. Choir, Band, Theatre, Dance, Figure Skating, Cheer leading squads, etc., all fall in this category.

I also think that this is at least one way that things are probably improving in society. That is to say, I suspect that this kind of thing has gone on in many band settings, but was excused, dismissed, swept under the rug in the past. There seems to be an increased awareness that "no means no" and that this is not something to be tolerated.

Full disclosure:  with a beautiful 22 year old daughter currently serving in the US Navy, I have a heightened awareness of this kind of thing. The military is also a place where there is often a "sexualized culture," where rape and sexual assault of both men and women is epidemic. If anything, it is worse in the military because victims are dismissed as crazy, and officers have a vested interest in denial and coverup.

EDIT:  Still not up at Eleven Warriors as of noon Thursday.