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Show statement that men were sexually assaulted or in turn should be groped, would merely increase the level of inhumanity and lack of empathy within our world. The use of the term patriarchy and the frequent reference to assault against women I chose for the incredibly higher levels of violence that occur against women at such a function. However, matriarchy or merely equality of offense is not what the word Feminism calls for, but rather the pursuit of an environment in which individuals are free to pursue their excellence and enjoy life in a manner free from assault and harassment with equal opportunity and rights for all humanity. Andrea Dworkin in 1983 called for a twenty four hour truce in which there is no rape. We cannot continue to wait. Did you merely laugh nervously at the last instance of a sexist joke presented before you? Did you merely stand by as the young man or woman in front of you was groped? Or did you place yourselves in the shoes of someone else and act? The gravest ineptitude of all humanity is the failure to empathize with another sentient being. If individuals at the college level of education cannot even empathize with the very people in their own community, not to mention those labeled as the other, then work must be done. I write to voice the concern that I do not wish to hear of another woman or man groped at a Westminster College dance, not to slander, but to raise awareness of an issue. As human beings we have a positive obligation to voice objections to morally suspect behavior no matter its source. I write in the cynical, humble hope that at least one reader thinks twice before physically assaulting someone and thinks twice before acting in commission with such behavior. non-consensua- lly May Peace be with You, Always. Hans Romo |