Poffenbarger-Holiday Stabbing: An Alternate Theory
As a whole, the major news media is preoccupied with the theory that “the incident was racially motivated.” According to the current, preliminary consensus of thought, Nathan Poffenbarger, spouting racial epithets, somehow came across Charles Holiday and his friends, and out of hatred for black people and a bad evening, stabbed him in the lung. According to Professor Salah Hassan, director of Africana studies, “[The stabbing] is certainly … a racially-motivated incident.” We believe that this clearly biased source is what injected the question of race into what would have otherwise been a run of the mill stabbing.
However, I believe that the stabbing may have played out slightly differently than the media so far has portrayed it. I offer up the following bits of salient evidence, none of which are damning, but which spark my imagination:
- A retracted quote from Simeon Moss in a CU News story which reads, “‘Those comments weren’t directed at the student who confronted him,’ said Simeon Moss, director of director of Cornell Press Relations Office.” A call to Simeon Moss confirms that the quote is actually completely inaccurate, and lifted from the Ithaca Journal. An investigation into the crime is ongoing. However, there seems to be confusion as to the intent and direction of the racial slurs.
- The Cornell Daily Sun writes, “University officials said Poffenbarger continued using the epithets after leaving the fraternity and was overheard by a nearby group of three black Union College students, who then confronted Poffenbarger.”
- Hunter R. Rawlings’ letter addressing the Cornell University community omits all mention of racial motivation.
What follows is a theoretically plausible reconstruction of what may have happened to cause Poffenbarger to stab Holiday. It is non-factual, and should be taken as theory until more evidence emerges to either confirm or disprove this narrative.
Poffenbarger, kicked out of a fraternity party for being a racist jerk, decides to exercise his first amendment rights in front of Baker Tower. With liberal use of racial slurs, he loudly proclaims the inferiority of the African race. Holiday and his two friends, upset over Poffenbarger’s decision to exercise his freedom of speech and his drunken derogatory comments about their race, come over to confront him. I can imagine how the conversation might have gone:
Holiday: Hey man, wtf?
Poffenbarger: You’re a n**ger!
Holiday: F**k you!
Poffenbarger: F**k you!
From there, Holiday and his friends may have escalated the confrontation physically, shoving or striking Poffenbarger. Attacked by three men, Poffenbarger retreats up the stairs and defends himself with a knife, driving them off. After it’s over, he sees blood on the floor. Having intended to protect himself, not mortally stab anyone, the drunk Poffenbarger flees the scene.
I find this narrative more plausible for the following reasons:
- It places blame on both Poffenbarger and Holiday
- It allows for a “fighting words” reaction by Holiday to Poffenbarger
- Holiday’s group outnumbered Poffenbarger
- Poffenbarger, if attacked by Holiday and friends, would have felt intense pressure to defend himself
Of course, without facts, this is merely speculative. Personally, I will not be happy until the exact nature of the crime is known. Then, perhaps, we can confidently say this was a racially motivated white attack on the black community. But, for now, it’s equally likely that this is a racially inspired black crime against a white man.
| This entry was posted on Monday, February 20th, 2006 at 3:10 pm and is tagged with cornell university community, simeon moss, salah hassan, ithaca journal, cornell press, racial epithets, racial motivation, nathan poffenbarger, fraternity party, nearby group, alternate theory, cu news, africana studies, racial slurs, daily sun, university officials, major news, rawlings, stab, hatred. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback. |
14 Responses to “Poffenbarger-Holiday Stabbing: An Alternate Theory”
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Update on the story from Turn Left newspaper:
http://turnleft.theworldoutthere.com/?page=604/poffenbarger0
From the Field: Stepping up for Cornell Athletics
by Nathan Poffenbarger
“What did you do this weekend?” Too often I hear that question on Monday morning from one of my classmates as we are waiting for the professor to arrive, and too often my answer is one of two alternatives: I either studied all weekend or I wound up at some frat party whose letters I can’t remember. I usually end up just trying to describe the building. “It’s the big white one, ya know? People wait in line on the balcony a lot, and I stabbed a guy out front.”
This weekend, I wanted a better story. I wanted to do something that was worth talking about on Monday. I skimmed through my e-mail from Denice Cassaro for inspiration. “Free Italian food… Asian Scroll Workshop… French Film Club…” I couldn’t really find anything that I thought would blow the competition away Monday morning.
Then I came across an e-mail from Mitch “Gangbangin thug” Dirt ‘07, President of the Cornell Contemporary Fencing Team. Mitch and other Fencers were going up against Union this weekend to clinch a much-coveted spot in the semifinals. Mitch’s e-mail explained that the match was going to be close and that our contribution to the event could make the difference. Moreover, it promised “real street experience.” Mitch, just stop right there – you had me at “Stabbing a black man.”
I contacted Mitch on Friday to let him know that I wanted to come. Mitch’s speedy response assured me that there was still space left on the team. I had a few hours left before midnight, when Mitch would be picking me up to head to Sigma Pi. I threw some clothes and books into a bag and called work to let them know that I wouldn’t be making it in over the weekend. I think they took it rather well. As far as I know, I still work there.
First of all, I don’t think its appropriate to refer to any violent act as “run of the mill.” I am an “African American,” and I can confidently say that I don’t give a rat’s *** whether or not the incedent was racially motivated as long as it its isolated, as it seems to be. I’m unsure why you decided place blame on the victim in the absence of evidence, but I am pretty sure its in service of, rather than an affront to, the kind of ignorant speculation which has produced the racist “theories.” Second, why any non-violent individual would carry a knife around is a mystery to me. I’m not saying Poffenbarger was necessarily looking for trouble, but I am of the mind that no one who walks around with the means and apparent mental preparation to attempt to take another’s life deserves any sympathy.
maybe it was a pocket knife. lots of people carry those around.
First of alot of people do carry such things as pocket knives and other utility blades, for both work, and practicle purposes, secondly I’m glad to see someone consider some of the facts and not just jump to the conclusion that this is a hate crime. If I had three people who were obviously upset at me regardless of if I said something wrong or not confront me, ecspecially if under the influence, I would most likely defend myself however best I could. Why would anyone no matter of intoxication provoke a fight with three people? And if he was attacking them because they were black why would he only attack one?
I find it interesting that the some of the posters here are looking for the explanation that make it all make sense. While pause is nice, as a person of african decent and an American, I am slightly disgusted by the search for an explanation.
This individual was behaving quite belligerent, verbalizing phrases that are meant to be racial hurtful, and he had a knife which he used to stab a person of the racial group he was being offensive too.
I remember being a student at Cornell 10+ years ago, and it was so shocking to see the Conservative/Young Republican/Review students with such deep rooted dislike for persons that looked like me. As only 10 years has passed I can see the same ignorance exhibited in the post of this stream.
After hearing limited facts you are attempting to find a way to justify the actions of the white student and find someway to place blame on the black victim. Is your position and bent a result of social programming? It would seem so.
If that student was mouthing the statements alleged, it should be expected that witnessing Blacks may confront the individual. And if he recieved a nice beat down as a result it would be expected as well.
Check yourself for your need to blame the victim and excuse the offender. This Poffenbarger is a social threat to good citizens around him. Hopefully the law deals with him. If not I would good for well meaning individuals to deal with him. To set an example for what is and is not acceptable behavior.
Ah, yes, everytime a white person commits a crime against a black person it is a “hate” crime. Yup.
The whole idea of hate crimes is just so plain dumb!
Why does is it worse to stab some one when you hate him for being black as opposed to hating him for just being an assh-le? Why does it matter what is in my heart and not only what my actions are? If I kill you only because I wanted your sneakers that gets me less punishment than if I kill you both for your sneakers and because you are black? Can a black person commit a hate-crime against another black? This is so freaking dumb. Charge people for the crime not for the lack of love in their hearts.
Dan, you are doing the same thing you accuse everyone else of, with only limited facts you’re saying it has to be a hate crime. The only basis you have to make that argument is that a black kid got stabbed by a white kid
I have a theory as well. All 4 are space aliens in a battle for interstellar dominance, distinguished along the lines of skin color much like people from our planet. Our planet is considered neutral ground but Mr. Poffenbarger just could not contain his rage, as his planet is continually being oppressed by the planet occupied by the student members, so he acts on his rage and stabs Mr. Holiday.
I am sure once the facts come out, my theory will be proved or disproved as well. I would like to hear anyone else’s theory on the matter, I mean, since we don’t know hardly any of the facts, it makes a lot of sense to provide theories supporting one arguement or another.
Interesting alternate theory and perhaps valid. I am sure Mr. Poffenbarger’s attorney will proffer this as a defense assuming the facts fit the case.
Most interesting comment is the one Dan made however. Was Poffenbarger entitled to a “good beating” because he was using racially derogatory terms. If I approached Dan and called him a “N…..” is he entitled to kick my ***. Shoot me? Can I defend myself under any of these situations.
The facts will ultamately render these speculations moot.
Amen to your alternate theories of the crime. I am perfectly willing to wait and encourage others to find out the rest of the details from the police. Until, he’s innocent until proven guilty.
The creativity shown by Elliott Back in constructing his “alternate theory” is truly impressive. Back’s post, and the response of several others in this thread, testify both to the strength of white defensiveness and the intransigence of white (racist) identity. Why otherwise, would Back et. al. be so invested in defending Poffenberger? I admit that it is quite possible that Poffenberger may not be a racist; it occurs to me that he may have been suffering from a mental illness that expressed itself as racist behavior. In any case, it is clear that Poffenberger was behaving badly even before the stabbing incident occurred.
Gee, it seems like all logical discussions that involve Blacks and Whites get slanted everywhere in America. It is sad cause I can see through all the inherent bias of all you Blacks and Whites, then again I do have my Canadian bias myself. Anyway, I do find Mr.Back’s construction quite plausible, and regardless of his wanting to protect another “White” or not, I believe it is more based on not wanting his fellow student to be just another murderous racist. Personally, if I was a Cornell U student I wouldn’t want Mr.Poffenbarger to be a racist regardless of his race just because he has somethign in common with me. To answer Blogger boy’s ridiculous comment: if you have any knowledge of law, then you will understand that a crime is composed of two components: Actus Reus & Mens Rea. That’s why we have second degree murder and first degree murder. Hey, why do we put a person in jail longer just cause he actually thinks carefully before killing someone than just right out kill someone? The person is still dead, right? Wrong. A murderous hate crime deserves harsher treatment; to want to kill a fellow person because you belive him not deserving of life for his skin is an affront to humanity and our society. Also, black can be charged for hate crime for killing another black if it is proven that he killed because he believes blacks are of inferior nature thus deserves killing, then again he would have to kill himself.
Regards,
Canuck
P.S. I’m a Chink, so no black/white bias there.
not that i think that dan will see this as it is something like 6 months later…
anyway i dislike your statement about republicans and racists, i am a republican from the Bronx where i grew up with lots of blacks, whites, yellows, and even a few reds
the idea that political affiliation and racism go hand in hand is unfounded and you should maybe be a little more open minded
also, i read a comment about carrying knives and how people shouldnt be allowed to do that or something like that.
I think they should get rid of the latino living center and also the ujama house. they shelter themselves and then complain that some people (like Puff-berger-Daddy) have no friends of african descent. also lets say i am racist, and i have no black friends, and lets say i stab a black kid, does that automatically make the stabbing a hate crime? I dont think so.
canuck, is chink degrading? if so should it be written C*****? while i wont write out “the N! word” as people would claim that i am a racist, writting things like that is retarded [sorry retarded people, no offense)
anyway iv said enough
peace out
Nothing really suprising. That's how all jews really think of us, but most of them keep it towards themselves.