The Campus Crisis

A Tearful attendee of the Columbia University's rally against rape looks on 

Some of the Faces in the HBO Vice documentary special "Campus Cover-up" tells it all. The hurt, the confusion, the deep disappointment in prominent schools such as Columbia University to fix the problem of campus rape. These are women and men who've had an interruption in their educational experience and campus life. They're victims of rape and a system of indifference on some of our major universities in America. But because they refuse to stay in the shadows and stay victims, some critics and victim blamers have marginalized the crime against them as "rape hysteria." The accusers have been pushed into the category of "feminist man-haters." They're  seen as young women who have nothing better to do with their time and energy but to make trouble for the universities and higher learning institutions by screeching out "rape!"
In truth these are bright young students who many of us, the public, have encouraged to go to college and get an education. We expect them to show up for classes, get good grades, be part of the spirit of the institution, and not be trouble makers. And when another student attacks them, don't say anything because sexual assaults are not important, the school's good name is. We are in the "Suck it up" day and age of our society. "If you get victimized, then you're a loser. Get over yourself." 

The most disheartening thing is when the administration either runs silent and deep on this issue, or when they go through the motions of a incompetent kangaroo court to settle the matter. Many times someone who is attacked will have to see their alleged attacker prancing around the campus, feeling safe because after all, it's my word against yours, and I've learned a new word; consensual.  

No handshake for Emma 

So perhaps part of the reason that Emma Sulkowicz began to "carry her weight" was to give many a creative bird's eye view of what it means to have rape be part of your life. No doubt when she began to carry her mattress from class to class and everywhere else, it didn't escape the gaze of anyone. It apparently pricked the conscience of many on campus, except perhaps the faculty, who when she carried her mattress across the platform mists the cheers and applauds, the Columbia University president, Lee Bollinger, turned away. It's iconic that the president would react in a way which perhaps spells out an attitude in about 40% of our colleges. When a rape occurs, apparently they look the other way. This problem has been shouted out by many victims who are just being dismissed with the feminist label, because after all its image and prestige which matters. Sexual assault complaints don't bring in money. So many institutions try to ignore the problem by just looking the other way.

But those who have joined the "deaf, dumb, and blind brigade" can't seem to get past the protest signs, bullhorns, the mattress carrying. or taped mouths. They don't see up close the person, who now struggles to keep focused in classes, or who runs into her or his assailant on campus, or left to go back to a dorm room, or area where the alleged crime took place. Rape in truth for the victim, is a horror movie that switches on any time or anywhere. Some outside the experience think it's like a skinned knee that heals with time. Still others have countered the issue with lunacy that makes

The Religious Zealot proclaims
"You deserve to be raped" 

the hair on the back of my neck stand up, and I want to puke at the same time. Dean Saxton, also known as Brother Dean Samuel, who preaches against wearing yoga pants and what he calls immodest, displayed signs around the University of Arizona pronouncing to women; they deserved to get raped. He seems to think the Bible backs him up on this issue as he wears his "virgin pride" shirt. His cultism message should be avoided at all cost while he seeks mental health.

As I watched the documentary "Cover-up," I saw people in pain like Elly, a student from the University of Arkansas who was raped by an athlete in her own dorm room. Elly apparently had to continue to live in that room even after the rape. She tearfully explained to reporter, Gianna Toboni, what it was like not to get help from those actually running the institution.

In HBO's Vice Campus Cover-up
Elly re accounts her attack

"He came in and made me do stuff I didn't want to do for an hour and a half.
He raped me in my own room--- like I can't even feel safe in here anymore
because it happened in here." - HBO's Vice Campus Cover-up June 6. 2015

Thankfully, Elly was able to move from that room to some place new. But only after her Mom's persistence through email's and phone calls. This might be evidence that colleges such as UA are not cooperating with the Title IX process. This is set up so that an alleged victim can received protection from being in the same class or dorm with the accused. And finally with her advocates help, this person was expelled from college life but not before he was pried from their cold administrative hands. Athletes are money makers for the schools.

Kirsten Gillibrand (NY-D)

  Schools are more concerned about their lawyers advice, or their insurers advice, or their PR specialists. That's not where their concern should be lying. They should be concerned with the well being of the students and their families who entrust their children to these institutions to educated them.- Kirsten Gillibrand  - HBO's Vice Campus Cover-up June 6. 2015 

I'm reminded of several things: A friend on Twitter expressed her deep concerns to me about her child going away to school. She knows about the climate on some of these college campuses. Of course, she's challenged with her own fears that come along with letting her child go away to school, only to have them compounded with the notion that her daughter could be a victim of sexual assault. The universities have a job to not worry about their reputation, but to do the best to invest in each student, a safe environment where learning is possible, and to correct any violations of campus life. The other thing is that any endorsement for a school should come from the graduates themselves.  No glossy pamphlets can cover up what a school is really about.

Special Thanks To:

Gianna Toboni and her crew

HBO

Bill Maher Productions

For bring this issue into our homes

Senator Claire McCaskill

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

For taking the fight to Capitol Hill

The Students and Advocates

of Universities everywhere.

We hear you loud and clear

Dedicated to my Twitter friend @LDRene and all parents
of college students.