New York Times begins Ray Rice article in the most offensive way possible

An article by Michael Powell used unsavory imagery to discuss domestic violence

Published September 15, 2014 4:41PM (EDT)

Ray Rice            (AP/Patrick Semansky)
Ray Rice (AP/Patrick Semansky)

An article by the New York Times' Michael Powell titled "What Were They Thinking? Ugly Video, Blind Justice" discusses the underwhelming response of prosecutors in domestic abuse cases in the NFL. The story is pegged to the release of video footage showing Ray Rice punching his wife, Janay, in the face, and the subsequent appallingly slow response from the NFL.

But, somehow, the Times let Powell publish one of the most tone-deaf, poorly considered ledes in recent memory."Say this for Ray Rice," Powell writes. "His left cross was of professional quality, a short, explosive punch. And his fiancée's head snapped back as if she'd been shot."

What was Powell thinking?

Powell isn't the first to mistake the violence for an opportunity for misplaced eloquence or humor. "Fox & Friends" recently took on the topic, with Brian Kilmeade saying that the main lesson from the video footage is to "take the stairs."

Since when is an incident of grotesque domestic abuse an opportunity for "pundits" of the world to try out their "edgy" brand of commentary?


By Joanna Rothkopf

MORE FROM Joanna Rothkopf


Related Topics ------------------------------------------

Football Gender New York Times Ray Rice Violence