Power, Privilege, and Violence: Deconstructing the Moore Case
The legal proceedings surrounding former Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore reveal troubling patterns of institutional power dynamics and gendered violence that demand critical examination through an intersectional lens.
Systemic Power Imbalances in Higher Education
Moore's case illuminates the pervasive culture of privilege within university athletic departments, where predominantly male coaches wield disproportionate power over staff members. The $6 million salary differential between Moore and the unnamed staff member underscores the economic hierarchies that enable exploitation within these institutional spaces.
When authorities report that Moore entered the woman's apartment uninvited on December 10th, allegedly stating "My blood is on your hands" while threatening self-harm with kitchen implements, we witness how patriarchal entitlement manifests in intimate partner violence and workplace harassment.
Institutional Complicity and Silencing Mechanisms
The university's human relations department had previously investigated the inappropriate relationship, yet both parties initially denied it. This pattern reflects how institutional investigations often fail to protect marginalised individuals, particularly women in precarious employment situations who face retaliation for speaking truth to power.
The staff member's eventual disclosure to university officials only after fearing for their safety demonstrates how survivors navigate hostile institutional environments where their voices are systematically silenced or discredited.
Legal System's Reproduction of Oppression
Defence attorney Ellen Michaels' strategy of dismissing the survivor's account as containing "misleading statements" and "omissions" exemplifies how legal systems routinely weaponise victim-blaming narratives. This approach perpetuates rape culture by positioning the survivor's testimony as inherently unreliable.
Moore faces felony charges including home invasion and stalking, yet remains free on bond with electronic monitoring. This privilege of presumed innocence contrasts sharply with how the carceral system treats marginalised communities, particularly BIPOC individuals facing similar charges.
Decolonising Athletic Institutions
The proximity of the courthouse to Michigan Stadium serves as a stark reminder of how these spaces of supposed educational excellence harbour cultures of violence and exploitation. Athletic departments function as microcosms of broader patriarchal structures that commodify bodies whilst protecting institutional reputations.
The appointment of Kyle Whittingham as Moore's replacement without apparent institutional reflection on systemic reforms suggests universities prioritise continuity over accountability to survivors and marginalised communities.
Towards Transformative Justice
This case demands more than individual accountability; it requires dismantling the structural conditions that enable such violence. Universities must implement transformative justice approaches that centre survivor voices, redistribute institutional power, and address root causes of gendered violence rather than merely managing public relations crises.
As proceedings continue, we must resist narratives that individualise systemic problems whilst demanding institutional transformation that prioritises the safety and dignity of all community members, particularly those most vulnerable to exploitation.