opinion
W e d n e s d a y, A p r i l 1 7 , 2 0 1 3
Editorial
Speaking out on Steubenville rape A small town in Ohio called Steubenville received its 15 minutes of national infamy recently when two of its star high school football players were found guilty of rape. After a pre-season game, many of the football players and fans went party hopping in celebration. At one of the parties, a 16-year-old girl became so intoxicated that she passed out. Two of the football players proceeded to drag her around from party to party, where they and others took off all of her clothes and repeatedly raped her. All of this occurred while fellow partygoers recorded it on their cell phones but did not think to intervene. Many of those watching called her the “dead girl” and a whore, saying that she “deserved it” and they “have no sympathy.” What happened that night in Steubenville isn’t simply a Steubenville problem; it’s a nationwide problem, it’s an American high school problem. America’s attitude toward rape is skewed. The victims are blamed and shamed. Rapists are protected and sympathized with and their actions justified. Observers stand on the sidelines and do nothing. Many activists call this kind of attitude a “rape culture,” a culture in which
rape is viewed as inevitable, excusable and accepted. This is a kind of culture that needs to end. Numerous problems and views make up this societal attitude, but some of the most pressing viewpoints that need to be changed are victim blaming and misunderstanding of consent. Often, a female victim of rape or sexual assault is blamed for bringing about her rape because of the clothes she was wearing or her lack of sobriety. Victims are told that they were “asking for it” by wearing skimpy clothing and/or being intoxicated. No one ever asks to be raped or sexually assaulted. Rape and sexual assault, by their very definitions, are forced and without consent. Nobody wants to be raped and what someone is wearing is no excuse for someone to violate them sexually. A man saying that a girl’s clothes provoked him to rape her is to say that he is as primal as an animal with no higher thinking or consideration for anyone but himself. The component that makes rape and sexual assault what they are is a lack of explicit consent. Many people seem to be unable to recognize when someone is not
consenting or unable to do so. Consent should never be assumed. If someone is turning away, shaking her head, being silent, or hesitant to carry on sexual acts, then it should be assumed that she is not giving consent as clearly as outright saying “no.” When someone is so drunk that they are throwing up or passed out, this person is unable to consent to sexual activities and is therefore off-limits in that regard. Sex needs the outright approval of all parties involved, or it isn’t sex any longer. Without consent, you are a rapist. Rape is a despicable crime. It causes terrible trauma for victims and truly changes their lives in every aspect. What happened in Steubenville should have never happened. This tragedy brought the topic to discussion and opened many eyes. Change needs to occur immediately. We need to analyze and critique the way things are typically viewed concerning sexual crimes and when we see an injustice, we need to take action. Do not be a bystander - as those in Steubenville were. -This editorial reflects the opinion of the SNN staff and was written by opinion editor, Chelsea Helt.
Letters to the editor
Reconsider dress code guidelines
Dear Editor, I’m going through my junior year, and I’m faced with a modified dress code for my senior year. Not only am I faced with this new boundary, every student attending Lakewood will endure this change. Lakewood High School changes something every school year. First it was early release Wednesdays, then it changed to a block schedule that only gets out one hour early, now early out Wednesdays are being eliminated. I don’t mind a dress code; I just do not understand why the students have to wear a certain type of shirt and pants. Does
the school board think about all the kids who cannot afford the modified dress code? Do people think this change is going to help students perform better academically? What happens if students still do not perform well in the classroom? What will be the next “change” in Pinellas County? I’m not saying Lakewood does not need a dress code, because people do come to school dressed inappropriately. I’m just asking everyone to reconsider the guidelines of the dress code, and think about the freedom wanted at our age. It is not about what we wear that makes me upset, it’s the fact that the modified dress code is based off “votes,” and I can name so many people who did not contribute to the decision. -T’Anna Harris, 11th grade
Changes will decrease school spirit Dear Editor, I am outraged by the recent decision involving our dress code for next year. I don’t think that it’s fair to force the students, especially upperclassmen, to have a modified dress code. I was informed that it’s not a uniform. However, reviewing the expected attire, it pretty much is. It is also wrong to ban red shirts from school. If gang-related colors are the issue, then every color should be banned because there’s a specific color for numerous gangs. It’s been mentioned that the dress code will stop bullying, but that won’t stop a bully from finding another reason to pick on someone. Most people like to have their own fashion because it boosts self-esteem. Positive attitudes are just what the students need to get through their day. It leads to optimism academically. If the school puts in place a dress code, it’ll lead to negative attitudes toward school. -Jhared Swain, 11th grade
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SNN
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