Accusing the long-dead

[unicorn]

Dolores Huerta, a 96 year-old labor activist who worked with the more famous labor activist César Chavez, has waited until 33 years after his death to accuse the decedent of raping her 60 years ago. Supposedly, one of the incidents (1966) was forcible rape in the back of Chavez's car. She also described an earlier encounter in August 1960 in which "she felt pressured to have sex with him in a hotel room during a work trip in San Juan Capistrano". Apparently both of these trysts resulted in childbirth, and both were adopted and not made aware of the alleged circumstances of their conception until now. 

Almost overnight, municipalities and other organizations have removed artwork made to commemorate Chavez. No one has waited to even test the two to find out whether the accusation of unwanted sexual activity is even plausible. Of course, we'll never hear Chavez's version. I have to wonder why Huerta is bringing this up now? Does she want César Chavez Day to be renamed Dolores Huerta Day? (I can see that happening) I guess I shouldn't be surprised at how quickly people can rush to judgment--a kind of mob mentality.

https://apnews.com/article/latino-leaders-speak-out-about-chavez-allegations-f1b24d3c6bdf71b326b63d51f80ea957

Memorial in Fresno being covered up:

Statue in San Fernando being removed. It seems it was important to cover it up before being removed:

Mural being covered in Santa Ana:

Statue being removed in Denver:

All of these accusations made decades after a person's death feel rather unseemly to me. I also find the rush to judgment disturbing. 

[Keithambrose]

1 hour ago, unicorn said:

Dolores Huerta, a 96 year-old labor activist who worked with the more famous labor activist César Chavez, has waited until 33 years after his death to accuse the decedent of raping her 60 years ago. Supposedly, one of the incidents (1966) was forcible rape in the back of Chavez's car. She also described an earlier encounter in August 1960 in which "she felt pressured to have sex with him in a hotel room during a work trip in San Juan Capistrano". Apparently both of these trysts resulted in childbirth, and both were adopted and not made aware of the alleged circumstances of their conception until now. 

Almost overnight, municipalities and other organizations have removed artwork made to commemorate Chavez. No one has waited to even test the two to find out whether the accusation of unwanted sexual activity is even plausible. Of course, we'll never hear Chavez's version. I have to wonder why Huerta is bringing this up now? Does she want César Chavez Day to be renamed Dolores Huerta Day? (I can see that happening) I guess I shouldn't be surprised at how quickly people can rush to judgment--a kind of mob mentality.

https://apnews.com/article/latino-leaders-speak-out-about-chavez-allegations-f1b24d3c6bdf71b326b63d51f80ea957

Memorial in Fresno being covered up:

Statue in San Fernando being removed. It seems it was important to cover it up before being removed:

Mural being covered in Santa Ana:

Statue being removed in Denver:

All of these accusations made decades after a person's death feel rather unseemly to me. I also find the rush to judgment disturbing. 

There used to be a principle of innocent  until proved guilty!

[Mavica]

I have a personal connection to the UFW and knew Chavez way back when. I'm conflicted about these reports and haven't yet decided what to believe, and not.

[unicorn]

8 minutes ago, Mavica said:

I have a personal connection to the UFW and knew Chavez way back when. I'm conflicted about these reports and haven't yet decided what to believe, and not.

At this point, obviously there's no way to really know. Even if it happened, what's the point of bringing it up now, decades after he died? It's one thing to bring these matters up promptly, so the perpetrator can be apprehended and prevented from repeating noxious behavior. What can the accusations accomplish at this point--other than tarnish his reputation? 

[Pete1111]

Any file created when J Edgar Hoover ran the FBI might lack a degree of credibility.

I also question why wait 60 years to accuse?  It's peculiar.

Perhaps the New York Times should double their focus on our modern offenders, e.g. diaper Don.

[jimmie50]

1 hour ago, Pete1111 said:

I also question why wait 60 years to accuse?  It's peculiar.

Perhaps the New York Times should double their focus on our modern offenders, e.g. diaper Don.

I am like you.  I don't understand the importance or significance of bringing this up now.  We have far more pressing issues that deserve immediate attention...such as freedom of speech, freedom of the press, constitutional rights...all of which are under attack by the current regime.  Is the NY Times that desperate for new articles?!?   

[vinapu]

5 hours ago, unicorn said:

 

All of these accusations made decades after a person's death feel rather unseemly to me. I also find the rush to judgment disturbing. 

 

you are not alone

[Mavica]

3 hours ago, unicorn said:

Even if it happened, what's the point of bringing it up now, decades after he died? 

Victims want acknowledgement of what they were subjected to, whether or not the alleged perpetrator is alive.  They want to tell their story.  I can't relate completely because I haven't been sexually victimized. 

[Patanawet]

6 hours ago, Keithambrose said:

There used to be a principle of innocent  until proved guilty!

Innocent until proved dead.

[Lucky]

If the allegations are true, Huerta is responsible  for many women becoming victims because she did not speak out earlier.

[caeron]

 

This thread is why victims don't come forward. They don't get believed, they get accused of having motives and lying, and they get blamed for their own victimization. Apparently, they're also responsible for abusing other women too.

Powerful men get away with shit while victims get re-victimized.

I believe them. If evidence comes to light that disproves their claim, then I will change my mind. But, you get nothing but grief for coming forward. You don't do that without a strong reason to.