This is in response to, but not as an attack on, the previous Post Letter: Rape culture not prevalent on OU campus. To some degree, I agree with the points made in the aforementioned editorial. Rape is a serious sexual offense and should be handled with sensitivity. Victims of these crimes should never be shamed into feeling responsible for the assault. I also agree that in some situations, where both parties are unable to consciously give consent, specifically where alcohol is involved, should be handled carefully and in a way that does not shift full responsibility on one person.
Conversely, when it comes to the presence of rape culture on campus, I have a very different viewpoint.
From my perspective, rape culture is not limited to only unwanted sexual acts. Rape culture is just that — a culture that tolerates an atmosphere of sexual harassment and injustice. Let me start out by saying that I love OU; this is not an attack on a specific group or the university. Yes, our bars and fests are well-known and we take pride in being Bobcats. There is nothing wrong with that.
What is wrong is when a woman (just an example, men can have similar experiences) has to take an indirect route to work or class because she can’t comfortably walk down certain streets without getting cat-called or ridiculed by the people in houses she may pass. It’s not okay when an over-crowded bar or party creates opportunities to grab or feel up people as they walk by. A woman walking home on a weekend morning shouldn’t be tweeted about as an object of amusement. There’s a fine line between having a good time and breeding an environment of disrespect. Rape culture, to me, means more than just rape. It is condoning actions which violate the well-being and dignity of individuals.
Once again, I agree with the previous letter; be aware of the situations you put yourself in and the people you decide to be intimate with. But don’t be tolerant or naïve--there are injustices present on campus (and I’m sure many others across the country) and they shouldn’t be accepted as the norm.
Would you really want someone yelling out “ratings” based on attractiveness to your friend, sibling or significant other as they walk down the street? Would you brush it off if you saw someone groping them when they’re clearly uncomfortable?
Kellie Rizer is a senior studying journalism.
