Kinja reply list

Read More
VodkaRocks&aPieceofToastAnna Merlan
4/13/15 3:05pm
As Corprew attempted to block the projector, she audibly told the activists, “I feel like I’m being violated in the same way that you’re defending women’s bodies… It’s like you’re becoming the oppressors.”

GIF

Reply
- Read More
  sunburrrrrnedVodkaRocks&aPieceofToast
  4/13/15 3:13pm
  Yeah, this is what happens when you’re in academia too long and forget that figurative/theoretical does not stand up well to practical/actual.
  
  It also makes no damn sense.
  Reply
- Read More
  RaisedByHeathens Orange Meanie-PantsVodkaRocks&aPieceofToast
  4/13/15 3:13pm
  It’s the same as how people of color are the REAL racists- amirite?
  
  /s
  Reply
Read More
andsmokeit is mrs tormund giantsbaneAnna Merlan
4/13/15 3:07pm
I feel like I’m being violated in the same way that you’re defending women’s bodies… It’s like you’re becoming the oppressors.

GIF

Reply
- Read More
  thatsslightlyravenandsmokeit is mrs tormund giantsbane
  4/13/15 3:30pm
  Seriously.
  
  GIF
  
  Reply
- Read More
  Dr. Sechmethandsmokeit is mrs tormund giantsbane
  4/13/15 3:40pm
  best gif for that.
  Reply
Read More
BiblioWOmaniacAnna Merlan
4/13/15 3:34pm
I am a senior at Barnard College (sister affiliate of Columbia), I have been highly active with anti-sexual violence activism on campus since my first year here, I am not involved with No Red Tape, and I have a lot of thoughts about this recent action. Many of you may disagree with some of my opinions, and I respect that. My only hope is that this can be a positive space for open and thoughtful conversation.
1. Probably the most glaring problem with this action is that it is triggering. Students were given absolutely no warning that this would be occurring, let alone admitted students, who have not been living in this culture of constant reminders of sexual violence on campus. Students and members of the community who happened to walk across campus during this time were faced with the words “RAPE HAPPENS HERE,” and other declaratory phrases. In my eyes, this kind of surprise action without consideration of the people viewing it, and without provision of proper support or resources is insensitive to the survivors and co-survivors who traverse this campus.
2. Rape and sexual assault are problems on Columbia’s campus. But rape and sexual assault are problems on all college campuses. The statistics for our school fall in line with national statistics. This demonstrates that rape and sexual assault are problems of the larger college culture, and that we need to fundamentally change that culture. But how does bombarding prospective students contribute to that effort in the slightest? If they have done even a cursory google search of Columbia, which we can safely assume they have, they know about the protests and reform efforts that have involved our community for the past two years. This action does not educate or inform. In fact, as many members of our community have pointed out, it unfairly makes the prospective students tools in certain peoples’ agendas without involving them as interested parties.
3. I have been trying to figure out what the intention of this protest was. Probably 99% of campus is aware of the movement to reform sexual assault policies at Columbia. So does it make sense to use it to raise awareness? I think this kind of action would have been more effective had it been used at the beginning of the school year, before the administration began reform efforts. Part of No Red Tape’s ideology is that they are very strongly anti-administration. But this is no longer an effective strategy for making change. Our administration is not perfect, but they have made changes to try to reform our policies, sometimes several alterations per semester, and it has already progressed significantly, not just in my four years here, but in this past year alone. The fact is, anti-sexual violence groups need to find some way to work with administrators, because they are the ones that ultimately make the policy. We can’t view them as a monolithic enemy. Many are well-intentioned people who are actively looking for student feedback and productive involvement to make positive change. And as I mentioned earlier, with regards to prospective students, is the aim to make them not want to come to Columbia? And then they will just go to another college that is having the same problem and fighting the same fight? What’s the point? We need more education, not scare tactics.
4. Finally, in speaking with many of my peers on campus, some of whom are similarly active in anti-sexual assault activism, but many of whom are allies who support the cause but aren’t active members of any advocacy groups, many of the steps taken by No Red Tape, this especially, leave them feeling incredibly alienated. So much of the strength of this movement comes from the fact that the majority of campus is on our side. We have won this part of the battle. We don’t need to convince the students that rape on campus is a problem. What we need now is to effectively strategize so that we can channel that momentum and consensus into making policy changes and conducting productive dialogue. My concern is that actions such as these will push many people on campus towards disenchantment and disengagement with the movement, and that we will lose the support we worked so hard to build.
5. (side note) I don’t have 100% confirmed information, but I don’t believe that the individuals who blocked the projector were acting under direction of the administration. Not saying that this was the correct response. Just that this was the reaction of a couple of people. It definitely points to a failure in training, but I do think it’s important to consider all facets/nuances of this very polarizing situation.
Reply
- Read More
  Lilly (Hungry hungry hipster!)BiblioWOmaniac
  4/13/15 3:51pm
  I’m responding to get you out of the greys because I’m curious to see how people respond to you, although I’m not sure if I agree with you on all your points or not. This is a very interesting comment though, and well reasoned. :)
  Reply
- Read More
  GENERIKOBiblioWOmaniac
  4/13/15 3:56pm
  I can’t predict the future or know what strategies and tactics would best and most efficiently promote change, but, as someone who has been the victim of sexual violence and a bungled institutional response to it, I really appreciate your insight, analysis and approach. I don’t know what form your activism takes, but I strongly suspect you’re up to some great work.
  Reply
Read More
benjaminalloverAnna Merlan
4/13/15 3:05pm
“I feel like I’m being violated in the same way that you’re defending women’s bodies… It’s like you’re becoming the oppressors.”

Well I feel like if I heard a person say that I would not be able to stop myself from physically assaulting them.
Reply
- Read More
  geritolcompletebenjaminallover
  4/13/15 3:10pm
  Ironically the only way this person would understand the complete fucking stupidity of what they’re saying is to actually be raped. Not that Im advocating rape. How society even functions is beyond me.
  Reply
- Read More
  benjaminallovergeritolcomplete
  4/13/15 3:14pm
  I guess I assume a base-line of empathy from people and this is why they continuously disappoint me. It’s a stunningly ignorant thing for anyone to say let alone a person employed by a University. What is wrong with people?
  Reply
Read More
DennisReynoldsGoldenGodAnna Merlan
4/13/15 3:04pm
Are libraries the danger spots at Columbia?
Reply
- Read More
  Mitch ConnorDennisReynoldsGoldenGod
  4/13/15 3:11pm
  Low Library is actually not the campus library, but is mostly admin offices and occasionally an event space. It is kind of the symbolic centerpiece of the main campus, though.
  Reply
- Read More
  DennisReynoldsGoldenGodMitch Connor
  4/13/15 3:15pm
  Fair enough, I avoided libraries like the plague in school, I was hoping I could justify it in retrospect.
  Reply
Read More
madscientistAnna Merlan
4/13/15 3:11pm
Super proud of the students of my alma mater/current institution. Super disgusted by the administration.

So, business as usual.
Reply
- Read More
  Lilly (Hungry hungry hipster!)madscientist
  4/13/15 3:18pm
  It’s not even my school but those are pretty much my feelings about it. I’m so freaking proud of these students and this organization that I want to cry; they’re continuing to speak out and trying to inform people and doing it in a totally peaceful and acceptable way. And then the administration is ruining my happy thoughts and making me want to stab something. :\
  Reply
Read More
The Real UnsharerAnna Merlan
4/13/15 3:11pm
As Corprew attempted to block the projector, she audibly told the activists, “I feel like I’m being violated in the same way that you’re defending women’s bodies… It’s like you’re becoming the oppressors.”

... You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. Students making a public statement to prospective and/or incoming students that the university has a rape problem is NOT “violating” you as an administrator.

In addition, attempting to prevent students from speaking out about sexual violence on campus and the administration’s refusal to take steps to stop it sounds like “oppression”; attempting to point out the problem is not.
Reply
Read More
smarshAnna Merlan
4/13/15 3:23pm
As a former graduate hall director at Columbia, I’m cringing. This is not what we were supposed to be responding to in the first place, and the lack of training around these situations make for horrible, awkward responses like this one. Get your shit together, Columbia.
Reply
- Read More
  smarshsmarsh
  4/13/15 3:42pm
  I should also note - graduate hall directors are grad students, typically in the school of social work or student affairs (I wasn’t in either of those schools). But these grad students *SHOULD* be better equipped to handle these situations in a more productive, nuanced, and sensitive way.
  Reply
Read More
KristenfromMAAnna Merlan
4/13/15 3:12pm
According to the Spectator, a campus administrator tried to block the messages with her body, saying they were a “safety hazard:”

Yeah, sure, OK.
Reply
- Read More
  batz1KristenfromMA
  4/13/15 3:33pm
  I know I should not be laughing at this whole issue, but I could not help it with the “safety hazard” statement. They must have been joking right?
  Reply
Read More
arewemenoramidevoAnna Merlan
4/13/15 3:28pm
Oppressive Projectors is the name of my MRA-themed Dixieland band.

Oh, those syncopations...
Reply