Raped
Karen @ The Hood wrote this post back on October 25, 2006 - one of her most powerful. The last time we heard from her, she was planning on moving out of Over-the-Rhine to an apartment downtown - her and her sister. We haven't heard from her for a long time and e-mails that I send are always returned - address unknown. I'm rerunning this post today hoping she reads it. Karen, I hope you're all right. Let me hear from you (Larry Gross)
My sister got raped this past weekend. She lives in the hood too just like me.
Kind of stupid on her part – forgot to lock her apartment door. You don’t do that in this neighborhood.
The guy held her at gunpoint, stripped off her clothes, then made her suck his cock. I’m sorry – don’t know how else to say it. Then he got her between her legs after which he hit her in the face. She passed out.
She woke up maybe an hour later or so she thinks and called the cops on her cell phone. She tells me they never did show up but maybe there wasn’t any point. Rape happens a lot here, you just don’t hear about it in the news. You think being black has anything to do with that?
I saw her this morning and she’s all right. Her eye looks bad where he hit her, but it will heal. I felt bad for her and thank god I got paid on Friday. I bought her some breakfast.
She didn’t get a good look at the guy, said it was dark and all niggers look alike. That’s what she said – her words not mine. She likes to use the word nigger – I have no idea why, she’s black too. Maybe it’s because she’s angry. Shit, wouldn’t you be?
- Karen @ The Hood
(Photo found on Google)
----continue on to read comments from 10/25/2006----
Anger in poor communities often leads to violence and truly scary things. I’m sorry about what happened to your sister, but I’m glad you were there for her.
This was a disturbing post to wake up to this morning but life is disturbing in so many ways especially in Over-the-Rhine. Maybe some people running this city will read this post and wake up to all the horrible crime there, but that’s probably wishful thinking on my part.
Karen, my heart goes out to you and your sister.
wow, heavy this morning. warn me next time, haven’t had my coffee yet.
Yes, Jake, make sure you have your coffee first.
Jake,
I’m hoping you didn’t mean to come across so cold. Life and bad things sometimes happen before your first cup of coffee in the morning.
My heart goes out to your sister and you. I feel so bad about what happened.
This raw, emotional story is gonna stick with me all day.
*sigh*
I like David Gallaher, but this is why I can’t believe in anarchy. Because when we’re left to our own devices, the strong will always dominate the weak. This puts women at an instant disadvantage.
I’ve lived in the kind of neighborhoods where you don’t leave your door unlocked for a moment. I never park next to a van. I don’t turn a corner next to a building; I walk way out so I can see if someone’s there. I had a couple close calls when I was a teenager, but I’ve been lucky. I don’t think a man can even understand what it’s like to walk around knowing that if someone gets their hands on you, there’s just not much you can do.
I feel for your sister, Karen. I feel for you because she’s your sister and you love her. I encourage you guys to go to the police (bear in mind that I hate the police almost as much as I hate rapists). Still, they have a duty to protect you, and you should hold them to that. There are also victim’s advocacy groups that will help you make the system work, and the police can put you in touch with those people. There are laws in place to protect us, and for those of us who are too weak to protect ourselves, those laws are our only recourse.
My thoughts are with you guys. Hang in there.
Damn, Karen, I wish I could do something more than write stupid words in this space…
I don’t understand anything that’s happening in this world, I really don’t.
Yesterday, I had a “down” day (I have these sometimes). I watched some local news and wondered if there is a city somewhere that a person could watch the local news each day and NOT hear of the violent crime to which we are becoming numb… I wonder.
All I can say is this: There are some good people out there. People you don’t even know. People that love you just cause you are of the human race. We are all connected, whether we know it or not.
You and your sister are loved.
Powerful post that leaves me speechless. I’m so sorry for your sister, Karen.
The guy should be shot dead. There’s nothing worse than hurting a woman
Karen,
I am so sorry to hear about your sister. I hope and pray she is okay. That’s not the first time I have heard of unspoken rapes in OTR. I have also heard of guys enticing female impersonators that live around the area to go with them only to be gang raped and beaten. It was’nt the sex, it was power, and so much is changing in OTR to the benefit of those who “have” to make people feel powerless. Still, no excuse to commit such a heinous crime. Sad state of affairs and yet Cheney brings his weasel-looking ass into town. One wonders how events in the world trickle down to you and I.
Jake, you are a complete asshole and God has a way of showing us the error of out ways. How cold could you be! I hope nothing like this happens to a female in your family and you speak as if you live in the ‘burbs. I guess a rape wont happen where you are, maybe a moble meth lab will park outside your house and explode. Idiot!
Karen, you are in my prayers as well as your sister.
One wants to find a way to respond to this horrible thing you’re telling us. It is so god awful, I don’t know what to say except my heart goes out to your sister and to you.
There is no way I’m going to defend Jake, but I have to say when I read this post early in the morning this morning, it threw me. One never knows what you’re going to find here and it threw me.
It would have been better for Jake to say nothing at all and not comment. Now that he’s had his coffee I’m sure he’s realizing that.
it seems like a lot of people makes comments here without really having anything to say. what happened to karen’s sister was bullshit. we don’t need to some half awake guy making cold comments. this jake guy should come back here and say he’s sorry.
Karen,
Try to find a way to get out of the intercity. There has got to me other options for you - maybe the west side of town where rental property is a little less. Maybe you and sister pull your assets together and live together.
The “hood” as you call it isn’t going to get any better anytime soon. For your own saftety, find a way to get out!
Maybe City Beat should take it upon themselves to help one more person out every so often, like Karen and her sister. Maybe get donations to get this poor women and her sister out of Over The Rhine.
Karen should have her own column. Or better yet, a book. Her writing is powerful, real, brave, poignant, and hits close to home, our home, and the undercurrent of the gritty, forgotten hood in the Nati. Her voice is true, distinct, and doesn’t blame. Instead, it forces me to open my eyes. Thanks for sharing such a painfully honest piece. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your sister during this traumatic time.
Nike,
YOu come close to defending Jake, but not quite. Thank you for that. In my world, Jake is a snake and as punishment for what he said, he should do without coffee for a month.
Karen,
I am probably one of those people who have nothing really to say, because I don’t know what to say. I read your story this morning before I left for work. Your words, those raw words you wrote stuck with me all day. I read them again a little bit ago and I cried.
Maybe that’s all I can do for you, and to let you know I feel the pain. Seems like a silly comment doesn’t it? I just don’t know what I can do and I feel helpless.
prayers are with you and your family.
Thanks to everyone for their kind words.
My sister is better, trying to get over it - what else can you do here? There is so much crime but at least winter is sitting in. The hood calms down in the winter months.
I’ll try to make my next post funny. This one wasn’t at all. I’m kind of surprised you all reacted but I’m glad you did.
I agree with CA. Karen should be writing a column especially for CityBeat. You don’t get this kind of awareness in that city paper and Over the Rhine is part of the city. The powers that be need to think about that.
I remember Larry’s column “Lost in Over-the-Rhine” and how scary it was. That was nothing compared to this. Peace be with you Karen and also your sister.
Nancy,
I don’t know if you’re a liberal or not, but asking CityBeat to help a poor person is like asking Cin Weekly to.
I’m stuck here in Cincinnati for now, but I’ve lived in a lot of places, a lot of cities that have alternative newspapers and CityBeat is not one of them. In comparison to other cities, this paper is pretty conservative. It rarely sticks it’s neck out on anything.
Frankly, I’m glad to see that CityBeat’s name has been removed from this blog. The actual paper would never print anything like Karen wrote, because it means taking sides. It means taking risks.
I feel for Karen and her sister and I’m glad that the editor of this blog found value in posting this story. The people over at Race Street would have simply hit the delete key.
Cops can’t even show up when they’re called. Karen get out - - you and your sister. The mayor and the city have given up on OTR.
I read your comments and posts and know you’re a great gal. I wish I could help in some way. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.
Where’s asshole Jake hiding his face? Up is ass?
To all:
I’m not defending Jake, just understanding where he is coming from.
It is sorta like freaking on what is not “normal” (whatever normal is these days). He wasn’t very diplomatic, but at least he reacted honestly.
I’ll bet he is now regretting what he wrote. At least my optimistic self would like to think so….
It’s now morning. I wonder if Jake has had his coffee yet.
fuck posting about jake and his thoughtless, early morning (and most likely) innocent comment.
a woman was raped. with no justice ahead. perhaps posting actual means of helping karen, her sister a/o the OTR community would be more beneficial than posting about jake and his early morning, thoughtless and (most likely) innocent comment. dare someone take the time and effort to get karen’s words to the mayor and city council? done. i’ve pressed print and will take the next 10 minutes to address our mayor and city council. done.
if you’re gonna whine, put in some time. do something.
right on, she.
Karen,
You need to fight. Don’t let that scum get away with it. Here are some resources, maybe you can find some help here:
http://helpandhealing.org/LegalInformation.htm
http://www.notguiltyadams.com/CM/FSDP/PracticePage/Criminal-Law/Sex-Offenses.asp
http://www.uc.edu/ucwc/Sexual_FAQ.html
http://www.lilithfair.com/charities/charities_org/womenhelpwomen.html
Just a general note:
When a woman is raped, she needs to get to UC Hospital immedeately and have a rape examination. Vital evidence can be obtained this way, and the woman will also be put in touch with police and victim’s advocacy groups.
And why is my comment awaiting moderation? This is new! Is this CityBeat’s doing? Not cool!
Well, Karen, I tried to post some links for you. Some women’s and victim’s advocacy groups in Cincinnati, but my post was awaiting moderation and now it’s gone.
Sorry.
Oh, sure, now it’s back up!
She wants to take action and that’s a good thing but how much do you know about Karen and her sister? It could be they don’t want a lot of attention. I mean if they did, wouldn’t Karen have her last name on the post?
I’m arriving late here…………..yes, TAKE ACTION. She is right. I don’t understand why Karen’s sister doesn’t want to help herself. Put his asshole away.
Sometimes people have to help themselves. I don’t know why Karen’s sister doesn’t want to help put away her attacker. Karen says her sister is angry, but apparently NOT THAT ANGRY.
I just want to say here that Karen should be the LOL girl and not that “thing” posted today. I don’t know why I’m so hopping mad about that post today but I am.
We miss you Karen.
Posted by: Matt | August 28, 2007 at 03:23 PM
Rereading this just reminds me how much we miss your writing here, Karen. Please come back.
Posted by: Jim | August 28, 2007 at 05:15 PM
you're missed :(
Posted by: jackula | August 28, 2007 at 06:09 PM
There will be a time when good people will take back their homes and their neighborhoods, and their cities.
This will happen when the good people have had enough.... then the bad people will be shot and killed and then strung up on the corners as examples ... I don't care if the bad people are white, black, hispanic...christian, jew, or islamic ...
justice will be served when the good people reach the end of their tolerance .. .. irregargless of the opinions of judges, lawyers, courts, and other vessles of dumbing down the morales of society.
Just like Wyatt Earp ..been there done that.
Posted by: bob marksberry | September 02, 2007 at 09:18 AM