opinions
editorial opinion
The circle of silence
Often we read a headline, sigh about the
news and read on. The day begins and we
remove ourselves from the news to get on
with what we have to do.
But what do these headlines tell us? What
subconscious thoughts or fears do they place
in our hearts and minds?
"How a rape victim became a prisoner for
her silence" was the top headline in the April
8 edition of The Philadelphia Inquirer. It was
followed by a detailed account of a woman
who was raped by acquaintances, became
terrified about testifying and was eventually
jailed for a week because she refused to
appear in court.
And while the story may seem like just one
'woman's horror story in dealing with the
Philadelphia police, it shouldn't.
It brings forth a problem that is very near
to Penn State the problem of acquaintance
rape and the trauma victims face in deciding
whether to testify.
Imagine someone who you know or trust
violently reducing you to an object by forcing
sexual intercourse on you. Now imagine
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A collection of news stories and other items gathered in the spirit of near-graduation galas
I am at a very dangerous point in my
quest for a college degree. Since I have no
tests or papers due until final exam week, I
am forced to resort to any means to keep
myself from senioritis and self-consump
tion.
Thank goodness my responsibilities as a
journalist will keep me from succumbing to
good-spirited, springtime traditions. But
let's not get too serious. In the spirit of near
graduation galas, I have gathered a collec
tion of news stories and other items of
interest from the past few months that seem
appropriate for a semester almost over.
Campus briefs:
No kneeling, please
Right-wing conservatives flocked to the
HUB in March to see a four-foot high por
trait of President Reagan's former National
Security Advisor Robert McFarland hang
ing among other paintings.
To not know what semester you are in is to
not care how long you are here for.
I met a student here at the University who
knows his major but doesn't know what
semester he is in.
Morality costs. Would you like a receipt?
Remember the University student who
believes there to be some relationship be
tween his stolen bikes and the night-time
police protection afforded the shantytown
dwellers.
being thrown in jail after being victimized
like this. •
Take away any of the police's technical
rights to put the Philadelphia woman in jail
and look at the situation as a rape victim
would. She was afraid to testify and because
of this fear she was put in jail.
Why would a rape victim fear testifying
against someone he or she knew?
Loneliness, betrayal and terror could in
hibit the reporting of any rape.
On a college campus, as anywhere else,
acquaintance rapes, unfortunately, are like
ly to go unreported. Perhaps this is due to the
victim's confusion, fear or misplaced guilt.
But the real root of the problem probably
arises from the unfounded idea that a rape
victim could somehow be responsible for a
rape.
This attitude is magnified when the rape
occurs, between two people who know each
other.
After all, maybe the rapist was invited into
the room, was on a date with the victim, or
casually met the victim in a bar or at a party.
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Lessons in sensitivity training
On Oct. 16, 1985, the Undergraduate Stu
dent Government Senate rules to recom
mend full divestiture.
On Oct. 17, 1985, 5,000 University students
sign a petition favoring divestment.
On Jan. 28, 1986, the Black Student Coali
tion Against Racism decides to obstruct
minority recruitment efforts.
On March 2,1986, about 50 faculty and
staff members stage a fast on the steps of
Old Main protesting University invest
ments.
On March 10, 1986, shantytowns are
erected to protest University investments.
On March 26, 1986, for the second time in
one week pro-divestment students stage a
sit-in in the University administrative of
fices.
Since pro-divestment in front of Old Main
/a 6 0
1986 Collegian Inc
began in 1984, Univeristy investments in
companies conducting business in South
Africa have increased $l.B million.
In the "news you can't use" department
Who said music isn't art?
Remember when the U.S. Senate held
hearings concerning warning labels on re
cords with "indecent" lyrics? Here's a
sample of some of the lyrics read aloud in
the Senate chambers: "Bend up and smell
my anal vapor, your face is my toilet
paper."
Oh my God, No!
Once again staking its claim as the Sun
day comics of journalism, the USA Today
graced its Challenger disaster issue with
this most eloquently expressed quotation by
Nancy Reagan.
That would be . . . you, right?
A Piedmont Airlines pilot mistakenly flew
into the wrong airport near Augusta,
Georgia. "Needless to say, someone's em
barrassed," said a spokesman.
Mild, my ass.
A "mild laxative" is on the market,
appropriately named Evacugen.
In the consumer abuse department:
They don't make warnings like they used
New Surgeon General's warning: Quit-
Yes, the victim might have been in a
compromising situation.
But because circumstances were' such,
Victims have been made to feel as if they
were responsible. Through this twisted logic,
some victims have accepted the idea that
they somehow "asked for" or inititated the
attack when, in fact, they have not.
Rape starts where consent stops. Period.
Rape is an attack on a person's body. In
acquaintance rape, it is also an attack on a
person's trust in friendship and
relationships.
The victim of an acquaintance rape is not
to be blamed. Instead we must be especially
sensitive to the fears and needs of this
person.
Like any survivor of a rape, the acquaint
ance rape victim might suffer a period of
stress, fear and paranoia. The victim might
feel ashamed, dirty or very insecure.
At these times, it is essential for all who
come in contact with the victim, whether it is
the police or a concerned friend, to under
stand these emotional changes and offer
accusation-free support.
reader opinion
Solutions
Over Easter weekend we attended a film shown by the
Palestinian Students Organization which presented the
Palestinian viewpoint of the situation in Israel.
We were two of the five non-Arabic attendees; it is
unfortunate that there is so little interest in this matter.
Most would argue that the problem in the Middle East is
that the Arabs will not let the Jews live in peace, therefore
any consequences which negatively affect the Palestin
ians are well deserved.
Why should we worry about the Palestinians? If for no
other reason, it is in our own best interest! As long as
Palestinians are forced to live in squalor as second-class
citizens, after having been driven from land that their
parents and grandparents once owned, terrorist attacks
against Jews and Americans will continue.
Why shouldn't the typical Palestinian believe that any
other way will produce change? If the United States
unconditionally sends massive amounts of aid to Israel in
spite of Israeli violations of basic human rights in Pales
tine, Americans will continue to be hated by the Arab
world.
No one can pretend that there is an easy solution to the
Mid-East problem. However, by ignoring the Palestinian
outlook, we are perpetuating that crisis.
Tina Rendiero, graduate-sport psychology
Charlotte Rendiero, junior -film
April 7
• related publications, is a separate corporate institution
dailythe Colleglan from Penn State
Monday, April 14, 1986
©1986 Collegian Inc.
William G. Landis Jr.
Business Manager
The Daily Collegian's editorial opinion is determined by
its Board of Opinion, with the editor holding final
responsibility. Opinions expressed on the editorial
pages are not necessarily those of The Daily Collegian,
Collegian Inc. or The Pennsylvania State University.
Collegian Inc., publishers of The Daily Collegian and
Anita C. Huslin
Editor
ting smoking now greatly reduces serious
health risks.
Thank goodness
We're seeing less and less of Mary Lou
Retton these days.
It was scarier than Halloween II:
I found a package of cream cheese in the
back of the refrigerator that was bought
before Spring Break.
Don't women ever get them?
Why do men always do hemorrhoid com
mercials?
I couldn't have said it better myself.
Bill Lyon, a Philadelphia columnist on the
difference between scientists and poli
ticians: "Scientists practice on guinea
pigs."
How many even remember what it was?
How many people have stuck to their New
Year's resolution?
Sign seen recently:
Your resume is fine. It's your life that
needs to be changed.
Will the real . . .
Time magazine: Gaddafy; The Philadel
phia Inquirer: Khadafy. The New York
Times: Qaddafi;
"Tommorrow's garbage."
Cybil Shephard's accurate characteriza
tion of a newspaper on a recent episode of
Moonlighting.
Next thing you know the Easter bunny
will be pregnant.
The Daily Collegian
Monday, April 14, 1986
We must be sensitive to the victim's needs
and we must understand the implications of
incidents similar to the one in Philadelphia.
When one victim is blamed for a rape, it
discourages other victims from reporting
and the silence and fear that surround ac
quaintance rape will only widen.
This circle of silence is what we must
combat. As individuals, we can help by
supporting and understanding victims. We
must encourage them to report a rape expe
rience and to seek help in dealing with the
ordeal of being raped.
And as a society we must call for another
hard look at rape laws and police sensitivity
in dealing with the victim.
The fight against rape is not a hopeless
struggle. In recent years, we have made
progress in combating not only the rapist but
the attitudes in society which allow for rape.
But the battle has not been won. As long as
gross insensitivities occur like the one in
Philadelphia, we must continue to work to
break the silence surrounding acquaintance
rape.
Dangerous ramifications
We are writing in response to Angela Vietto's column in
the April 3 edition of The Daily Collegian. The tragic story
of the rape is certainly heart-rendering. However, even
Vietto admits that the rape of her friend (or others)
cannot be directly traced to pornography.
Vietto makes the astounding statement that even
though "there is no conclusive evidence , that pornography
leads to sex crimes," it's the possibility that matters. And
because of the "so-called" possibility pornography should
be banned. Vietto's brand of censorship would have a
chilling effect on freedom of expression.
Luckily, the First Amendment does not permit
censorship of materials because of the mere possibility of
danger. Many court decisions uphold this point of view.
The implementation of Vietto's opinion would open a
Pandora's Box of unreasonable censorship. Every detec
tive show, horror movie and war movie would be banned
because of the chance that they may encourage real life
violence.
It is truly shocking that a journalist such as Vietto
would fail to understand the dangerous ramifications of
her view point.
Joel Fishbein, senior-accounting
Lee Greenfield, senior-business logistics
April 11
Letters Policy: The Daily Collegian encourages com
ments on news coverage, editorial policy and University
affairs.
Letters should be typewritten, double•spaced, signed by
no more than two people and not longer than 30 lines.
Students' letters should include semester standing,
major and campus of the writer. Letters from alumni
should include the major and year of graduation of the
writer. All writers should provide their address and
phone number for verification of the letter.
The Collegian reserves the right to edit letters for length
and to reject letters if they are libelous or do not
conform to standards of good taste. Because of the
number of letters received, the Collegian cannot guar
antee publication of all the letters it receives. All letters
received become the property of Collegian Inc.
My Christmas vacation yielded good news
and bad news. The good news is that Santa
Claus exists. The bad news is that he drives
a 1968 Ford Falcon and works outside Gim
bel's in Philadelphia.
In the "news to abuse'" department:
Two of them were overheard arguing,
"Tastes great. No, less tumors."
A study at the University of Illinois found
beer-drinking rats developed fewer tumors
than those drinking only tap water.
I hear it would have been very short.
After a record-breaking season of 104
losses, the Pittsburgh Pirates will not be
releasing a 1985 highlights film.
I know just how you feel.
The owner of the Baltimore Orioles com
menting on his guest for opening day, Presi
dent Reagan: "I'm glad he came, but every
time he does we lose."
For an extra buck they'll also juggle
donut holes.
A Florida businessman has opened a
donut shop with a unique twist: topless
waitresses. •
Michael Kutner is a senior majoring in
finance and a columnist for The Daily
Collegian. His column appears every Mon
day.
opinions
Shock
It was with a sense of shock, but
unfortunately not surprise that I
read of the recent "Shantytown
Party" at the Sigma Pi fraternity.
I am sure that I posess as much of
a sense of humor as most people,
and certainly more than many of
my students, but I fail to see the
humor in making a mockery of the
24 million ,Black South Africans
who must tolerate the daily abuse
of living in real shanties• and sub
human conditions.
Whatever the members of Sig
ma Pi may feel about the Penn
State students who have erected
the symbolic shantytown on cam
pus, their use of a symbol which
represents oppression to Blacks is
yet more evidence of the callous
insensitivity to fellow inhabitants
of this global village which is all
too common at Penn State.
Those fraternity members who
claim that the Shantytown Party
was the act of a few who do not
represent the opinion of the major
ity of the members of Sigma Pi are
ignoring the fact that this party
took place at the fraternity house;
and therefore under the aegis, the
fraternity as a whole.
In cases of rape or of alcohol
related accidents, fraternities as a
whole are responsible, even
though individuals may be liable
initially.
In this case, the fraternity as a
whole is guilty at best of an out
standing lack of taste; at worst, of
a none-too-latent racism which, as
I have unfortunately come to real
ize, is another common feature of
Penn State.
Assistant Professor
Classics and Religious Studies
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Thanks
With the close of the Undergrad
uate Student Government presi
dential elections, we, as concerned
and interested, students of Penn
State University, would like to
congratulate all the candidates on
their persistent efforts throughout
the past few weeks.
We would also like to thank the
students of Hastings, Stone, Snyd
er and Stuart halls for their help
and cooperation in our attempts to
have a polling place put in Findlay
Dining Hall.
We felt that one-and-a-half miles
was too far a distance and too
much of a hassle to travel in order
for the four residence halls in
College Township to vote.
After consulting with Matt Bak
er and Sue Sturgis, we decided
that the best solution would be to
draw up a petition with the signa
tures of registered voters in these
four dormitories, thus showing the
significance of this problem.
We managed to collect 122
names, and in the process, we
were even ables to register 60 new
student voters.
This was the first step in reach
ing our goal and we hope that in
the near future more students will
take an active part in such Univer
sity-related activities, for we
found it to be very satisfying and
rewarding. We cannot stress
enough the importance of student
involvement and interaction.
Once again, we would like to
thank those students who aided us
and would like to thank all the
candidates.
Gail Corrington
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The alien:
An excursion
the residents can't agree to fight racism
Day One
I don't / believe this. I was in the 16th second of
transport home to X-L4 (it's only a 34 second trip)
when my transmission beam was broken. I am
stranded here on this backwoods planet called
Earth. I certainly hope Transmit Control finds me
soon.
Day Two.
I have assumed the appearance of a male
human, assuming from their generally larger size
(and the strutting walk of some of them) that they
are the dominant sex.
As yet, I am unsure of the name of this partic
ular area. It might be Penn State, Happy Valley,
State College, University Park, or The Land of a
Bar on Every Corner. Since there seems to be
several'of these drinking establishments on every
block and the inhabitants of the community fre
quent them day-in and day-out, I assume that is
the name of the area.
Day Three.
The customs of the natives here at The Land of a
Bar on Every Corner are fascinating. Today I
observed a group of scantily clad females pros
trating themselves on the ground. As I watched, I
noticed their skin become slightly darker. The
female who darkened the most was congratulated
and envied by the others.
Apparently, dark skin is in some way a valuable
asset here.
Day Four
Today is Friday, the beginning of a weekly
religious festival which the local inhabitants hold.
I hope to find a temple to go to and observe the
festivities.
Day Five.
I certainly hope Transmit Control finds me soon
This place is confusing and barbaric.
Tonight
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in The Land of a Bar on Every Corner where
Last night, I located a temple. It was a large,
ornate building with some kind of large lettering
on the front. The sounds of primitive electronic
music and joyous celebration emanated from it.
I observed a herd of females enter the temple
and attempted to follow them. After a long alterca
tion with a male at the door, I came to understand
that females have free access to the temples and,
although they are, run by males, only males who
help to run the temple or are "on the guest list"
(whatever that means) are permitted to enter.
I realize now that I must have been in error;
females must be the dominant sex. However, this
religious system, based on a form of sexual dis
crimination, repulses me.
(Apparently these creatures use their mouths
both for eating and excretion. I saw several of
them spewing waste out of their mouths in front of
the temple as I left. Barbaric.)
Day Seven
I've been here a week too long now. Yesterday I
decided to approach what I thought must be one of
their elite a female with very dark skin
hoping that,.if she knew my situation, she might be
able to help me. What a mistake that was!
After I convinced her I was an alien, I asked her
how she had become so dark. She laughed and told
me she was born that way.
I said I supposed she must be a member of a
8 p.m.
This confused me greatly my circuitry was all
aflutter. I told her about the women I had seen
trying to become darker. She said that that was a
tan and not the same as being black.
Then she told me about something called racism
this is an insane practice these humans have in
which the members of one race regard members
of another race as inferior and attempt to exclude
them from parts of society. Then she told me about
a group called the Black Student Coalition Against
Racism. I knew there was nothing wrong with my
circuits this just didn't make sense.
I tried to explain the contradiction to her how
could something exclude a race and yet fight
against racism?
It took a while, but she finally saw my point. She
asked me what I thought could be done and I gave
her the benefit of my decidedly superior intelli
gence just drop the word "black" and make it a
Student Coalition Against Racism.
Unfortunately, it seems people have already
made this suggestion, but it hasn't been taken. I
didn't know what to say then, except that maybe
the group had not heard the suggestion or that it
did not understand that limiting a fight against
racism to one race was contradictory.
These humans are truly pathetic. The whole idea
of racism is so stupid to begin with, and those who
have insight enough to fight it can't even agree to
fight it in a non-racist way. Just thinking about it
makes me tired.
Angela Vietto is a freshman majoring in English
and a columnist for The' Daily Collegian. Her
columns appear every other Monday.
The Daily Collegian Monday, April 14, 1986--9
in a non-racist way
truly privileged group, but she said this was not
true and began to talk to me about something she
called the "races." Those born dark, like her, are
called Blacks, and those born light are called
Whites. She said that many Whites look down on
Blacks.
I certainly hope Transmit Control finds me soon