REQUESTING FORGIVENESS...

Nearly 20 years after accusing three lacrosse players at Duke University of rape in 2006, igniting a firestorm of indignation and kangaroo-style judgments in the press, Crystal Mangum has recanted her assertions and begged forgiveness. Mangum did so from the North Carolina prison where she is currently serving time for murdering her boyfriend in 2013.

Back in 2006, most people of intelligence did not buy into the story. But the media --not always known for their intelligence and scrutiny--smelled blood and ratings and ran with the story. Much of the faculty and staff at Duke also jumped to declare the accused lacrosse players guilty, case closed. Sadly, society is coming to realize that the halls of academia are no longer nearly so hallowed or honorable as we once thought. Perhaps most heinous of all were the actions of Mike Nifong, the prosecutor of the young athletes, who smelled not only blood but opportunities to gain political capital and thrust himself into the limelight.

Fortunately, Nifong was removed from office, disbarred and even briefly jailed for his zealous commitment to glorifying falsehoods. The three athletes also mounted a lawsuit against Duke, which was settled out-of-court for an undisclosed sum. It is not known if any of the dozens of ill-informed professors and staff who rushed gleefully to judgment were ever fired or disciplined. Today, no doubt much bitterness and hostility remain, but at least some measure of justice was obtained in 2007, thanks in large part to then-attorney general of NC, Roy Cooper, who dismissed the charges for lack of evidence, and who now serves as governor of the state.

Now that Crystal Mangum has apologized, admitted her guilt, and asked for forgiveness from those she accused, many pundits are venting their anger at her, denouncing her for what she did to lives and reputations of the three athletes. Yes, Mangum lied; yes, she waited nearly 20 years to fully admit her guilt; yes, she presently is in prison for second-degree homicide--but we should all admit that, at least, she has openly admitted her own culpability and has requested forgiveness from those she wronged. Admitting guilt and remorse is tough. How many of us would have the guts to come forward as Crystal Mangum has done?

Could Mangum be speaking out now only as a stunt to curry favor from prison administrators? Perhaps. But maybe she felt a genuine need to confess and atone. Only she knows for certain. And it is up to the athletes to forgive, not us. However, I have to admit that I respect Mangum for stepping onto the world stage to make such a bold statement. If only politicians, corrupt business tycoons and corrupt professors could find the courage to do the same thing.... Crystal Mangum has one or two things they never will have--guts, and remorse.