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The Strauss-Kahn case will make immigrants, particularly poor immigrant women of color, less likely to report crimes of sexual assault and rape, especially when the alleged perpetrator is a powerful, affluent white European male. Slate has a remarkable rebuttal against the Manhattan D.A.’s characterizations of the alleged inconsistencies of Nafissatou Diallo’s recounting of events. It is well worth the read.

Largely absent from this conversation are women’s rights organizations. The sound of crickets can be heard trumpeting loudly. Where is NOW? The Feminist Majority Foundation? Would these organizations have been more vocal if not for Diallo’s skin color and ethnicity?

Their silence is shameful and astounding. As MLK put it: “In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”

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