11/10

Today in class Lateah went over her book, about Anna Stubblefield, a woman who was accused of raping a disabled man named DJ. In her case, Stubblefield was a professor the family asked to help with DJ, who had cerebral palsy. Stubblefield claimed the two were in love, even though DJ couldn't talk and functioned at the mental capacity of a toddler. She claimed the relationship to be consensual, and that she knew DJ wanted it, raping him on the floor of her campus office. Once the family found out what was happening they were horrified and immediately prosecuted the Rutger's employee. Stubblefield was a mother and was married, and ended up receiving 12 years in prison, with 10 having no option of parole.

Looking at this case we see a bunch of issues happening all around it. Brought into the case was the fact that Stubblefield was white, and DJ was black. This is significant, because had it been the other way around, the issue here would have most likely sparked more controversy based on past cases. There aren't many cases similar in nature to this case, as it is quite an odd circumstance.

The rhetoric of this case is very unique, as Stubblefield's main claim is that the two were in love, even though DJ couldn't ever speak to tell Stubblefield he loved her. This is unlike our usual cases, which typically involve alcohol or strangers wanting power. This is a woman desiring power over a man, claiming to be in love with someone she had said she was going to help. The entire case is interesting and a case I have yet to read anything similar to. Lateah did a great job reporting the facts on this and informing us of how it works in the rhetoric of rape.