The past week has been extremely stimulating in the activism area here at Ohio University. Starting with the excitement of the F--kRapeCulture rally Oct. 11 and continuing through the horrendous scene on Court Street over Homecoming weekend, I’ve never seen our campus so aflame with engagement and debate, especially over such an important issue.
I had a complete stranger approach a friend and I at Nelson Dining Hall the other day, having heard our discussion of rape culture, wanting to share what was on her mind. When has that ever happened?
In my opinion, the F--kRapeCulture campaign is insanely exciting and is doing some incredible, culture-changing things. They have quickly joined the rich history of Athens activism and have already, in my opinion, permanently left their mark.
However, the debate is beginning to take a nasty turn, and I think, if we’re not careful, F--kRapeCulture could end up distracting people from their honorable purpose of ending rape culture here at OU.
This “nasty turn” in the dialogue has come in two forms.
The first is that, over the past week, a debate over the definition of “rape” and “rape culture” has overtaken the campus. I think this is important but only to an extent. We must become familiar with both of these terms as a lot of us have never had to consider them before.
However, F--kRapeCulture, already having diagnosed the “rape culture” that undoubtedly exists, should not give into the temptation to argue the small things.
One of the wisest men I know once said to “major on the majors, minor on the minors.” I would implore the F--kRapeCulture campaign to focus on changing the culture they have so accurately identified as harmful instead of stooping to the level of arguing every little definition.
The squeaky wheels only need a drop of oil, not a whole bucket from every one of us who believes strongly in this cause.
The second form of distraction is coming from the way that a lot of the discussion is being conducted. My concern is illustrated in the response to a letter posted in The Post about rape culture not existing here at OU. While some very troubling ideas were articulated (which, in my opinion proved the existence of the very rape culture the author was insisting didn’t exist), the author was attacked instead of the ideas he expressed.
In the letter’s comments, he was personally attacked; his research skills were said to be “fundamentally lacking;” his ability to use Google was questioned; and he was cited as the reason that so many are “embarrassed to be a Bobcat.”
For the most part, the letter responses in The Post to that particular letter were fantastic. In fact, I think most of the articles written on both sides have been mostly constructive.
However, the comments have been the complete opposite. Constructive and thoughtful observations have been swept away by waves of personal insults, profanity, and ranting, mostly instigated, from what I’ve seen, by those advocating we F--kRapeCulture. This is understandable as this subject is one of the most vulnerable we can confront. BUT, I think it has the potential to slowly chip away at F--kRapeCulture’s vision and alienate those we’re trying to help.
I would call F--kRapeCulture advocates to examine their interactions.
Defensiveness may be a natural reaction when people come up against something so important, but it’s not the reason we are standing out on campus.
We’re standing out to change a culture of sexual harassment and violence to achieve that “unprecedented level of care in our university family,” President McDavis referred to in his e-mail. Be careful, F--kRapeCulture, and treat others with the respect that you are so passionately promoting.
Luke Kubacki is a sophomore studying African studies.
