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Show pure, while men must continue to press their advances. This patriarchal system creates the conditions that not only make forms of sexual assault possible, but arguably inevitable. Further, an evaluation of the data reveals that sexual assault against college women is not an anomaly, but rather occurs in noticeable numbers across the country. This data may also indicate that there was a high probability that potential attacker was also present at the dance. In fact, as any form of unwanted sexual touching essentially constitutes a form of sexual assault, victims and perpetrators were both present at the Halloween Dance. Not only are these instances of sexual assault within our campus a moral failing, but rather simply put, they are criminal. Although this form of criminal activity would certainly be difficult to highlight or prosecute, one must ask questions of the community that facilitates a setting for these illegitimate actions to occur, as well as the types of individuals that do not voice dissent for their fellow humanity. Surely someone witnessed unlawful physical assault on another persons body, but who among the group did something to stop it? The statement of this essential fact is not to downplay the seriousness of sexual assault or that all forms of sexual assault are created equal, but rather to demonstrate the seriousness of the moral failings of the perpetrators at the dance as well as the capacity of the force of patriarchy to infiltrate the institution that should serve as the beacon of light upon the hill. While subduing the righteous rage within, one must, in the tradition of prophetic realism, look for solutions not only to the individual actions, but rather to the entire system of patriarchy as a whole that perpetuates this abuse of women by men for solely entertainment purposes. The initial direction of attack may simply be to punish those that acted in manners inconsistent with the freedom individuals have from bodily harm in an effort to at least symbolically send the message that this behavior will not be tolerated. A long range goal might perhaps be to foster an environment on campus that would actually accept and embrace a form of sexual offense policy like that put in place at Antioch University, a policy that requires expressed consent for all physical intimacy. Overwhelmingly; however, the message is clear: actions must be taken so that the atmosphere surrounding this institution no longer tolerates nor looks the other when overt acts of oppression and dehumanization take place. In sum work, must be done to educate individuals to use no only when they mean it, and that a reception of the word no must always be taken as Individuals may see this as a negation of the game. However, it seems a far better world in which some individuals that wanted action must instead go home to participate in a certain act praised by both Mark Twain and Woody Allen than to allow some individuals to be coerced into sexual activity against their will. I have brought charges against those men and women of Westminster College that would view sexual assault as their morally justifiable right to claim ownership of another autonomous beings body. How dare we proudly call ourselves an institution of higher learning while sacrificing the ability to think for ourselves, the respect for other human beings, and the goals of social justice that we claim to be embracing for the conformity, groupthink, patriarchy, and sexual assault that Captain Morgan and Jack Daniels promotes. I am not arguing that women should not be allowed to get drunk, nor be promiscuous, nor wear scanty clothing, but rather that the cycle of violence and oppression against women cease. I envision a world where women are permitted to wear what they want, say what they want, and drink what they want without aggressive, unpardonable action being taken against them for the sole fact of their second X chromosome. that Feminists are no longer The pseudo-trut- h needed clearly has been debunked. The emanation of patriarchy and oppression of women within our own community should be proof enough. This Halloween Dance, as will the following, unless something is changed, was a clear indication that feminists are still needed in this world, especially at Westminster. I envision a dance where any unwanted touch is grounds for removal; however, I do not know how feasible this is. One thing is clear: the groping that occurred at the Halloween dance is unconscionable and illegal in a college campus community and will undoubtedly occur at each and every future Halloween Dance this school hosts unless something is changed. Clearly, Feminism is not only needed in the corporate sphere or in the domestic sphere, but needed to change the indefensible actions taken by members of our community at the functions. Let it also be made explicitly clear that a form of matriarchy or a situation in which women may equally claim ownership over a mans body is not what I have argued for. To commit the two wrongs fallacy in this situation would be morally disastrous; to make the no. |