Page 4 Editorial Flag scarce Being American used to be cool. The USA used to be hip, vogue and fashionable. Patriotism was the "in" thing. Red, white and blue were the colors of choice. Actually, it wasn't that long ago. As a matter of fact, just last year students couldn't cross campus without seeing a half-dozen American flags. Everyone was acting patriotic. It was truly a great feeling to walk through the apartment complex last semester and see Old Glory hanging in so many windows. The American flag was everywhere evoking pride and patriotism in passers-by. The number of people supporting the members of the Armed Forces serving in the Middle East was encouraging and touching. Unfortunately, it was also short lived. What happened to the patriotism? Now that most of the troops are home from the desert, has our patriotism been folded up with the flags and put neatly back into cardboard boxes? It is important for Americans to be supportive of our country in times of conflict. It was heartening to see such a wave of patriotism hit the country last year when we were at war. It showed that America could still pull together, and that we haven't yet gone down the tubes as a nation. Just because the war is over is no reason to stop being patriotic, though. Do Americans have to be engaged in kicking some other country's tail before we can show our patriotism? Being an American doesn't come and go with wars and the Olympics. It's a full-time position. That doesn't mean we have to agree with everything our government does. In fact, we would be a pretty boring democracy if there weren't any opposing ideas. But since we are a democracy, we're allowed to voice our opinions, raise controversies and disagree with our government. That's freedom, and, in case you had forgotten, that's what the American flag stands for. The Collegian the students of Behrend College, Erie, PA Published week) Editor Todd J. Irwin Business Manager Adrienne Shrewder The Collegian's editorial opinion is determined by the editorial staff, with the editor holding final responsibility. Opinions expressed in The Collegian are not necessarily those of The Collegian or the Pennsylvania State University. Features Editor Robb Frederick News Editor Mark Owens Entertainment Editor Christi Luden Sports Editor Greg Geibel Photo Coordinator Craig Breter Advertising Manager Keiren Logue Advisor Dr. Mks Simmons Letter Policy: The Collegian encourages letters on news coverage, editorial content and university affairs. Letters should be typewritten, double-spaced and signed by no more than two persons. Letters should be no longer than 400 words. Letters should include the semester standing and major of the writer. All letters should provide the address and phone number of the writer 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. Letters should be submitted to The Collegian office no later than noon on Tuesday prior to the desired publication date. Postal Information: Th e Collegian (814 898-6488) is published weekly by the students of the Behrend College; Reed Union Building, Station Road, Erie, Pa 16563. Opinion Letter to the Editor No means no This letter is in retrospect to the opinions expressed in the letter printed in The Collegian (Sept. 12) titled: "Reader Forum: Human Problem." I believe rape education and prevention becomes an important part of a young woman's life, especially when she prepares to leave for college. Equally, young men should become aware of the responsibilities they hold. Unfortunately, when educational video tapes on the subject are resented, the purpose of the tapes is defeated. Many people contend men are discriminated against in such video tapes. Yes, I recognize the fact that most rape films portray the man as the perpetrator and the woman as the victim. However, it must be recognized that only a fraction of a percent of rapes on college campuses have men as the victim. By repeating the phrase, "No means no," over and over, educators aim to assert this thought in the minds of young men, not to offend their intellect. How about some mail? If you would like to voice include the semester and major of of The Collegian. your views on an issue, why not the writer. All letters should Letters should be submitted to write a Letter to the Editor? provide the address and phone The Collegian office, first floor The Collegian encourages number of the writer for of the Reed Union Building or letters on news coverage, editorial verification of the letter. The Collegian mailbox located in content or University affairs. The Collegian reserves the the SGA suite also on the first Letters should be typewritten, right to edit letters for length and floor of the Reed Building no double-spaced and signed by no to reject letters if they arc later than noon on the Tuesday more than two persons. libelous or do not conform to prior to the desired publication Letters should be no longer standards of good taste. All c ut e . than 400 words and should submitted letters become property r- — / 4 11 / a t! , - 't—) ( DIE MEI >C(7I If it does indeed offend men, then it should be pointed out that case after case studied still has men m'sperceiving a woman's body language and reverting to the fact that they believe sometimes "No means yes." More importantly, some men still contend that they were "led on" by a woman's actions, speech or dress. In a study of 400 men, psychologists have found that men regard tight clothing, certain situations (such as being alone in a room), and affectionate actions (such as a girl playing with a date's hair or gazing into his eyes) as sexual signals and as a willingness to have sex. On the other hand, women are more apt to regard tight clothing as a sign of being fashionable and being alone with a date or behaving affectionately as signs of - well, affection. Also, we have to ask who has the right to determine when a man has been "led on", and what right do men have to justify rape with their misinterpretations? I have found another unfortunate misconception. Some people believe that attempted rape Thursday, September 19, 1991 mAa~7r~: NEW S eRk NEWSPA>' is not as devastating as rape itself. Attempted rape holds all the unit *Relict-and' shotking aftermath as. rape; the only difference is that penetration does not occur. Because the effects of attempted rape and rape are so similar, most statistics are based on both cases. I would sincerely hope that these statistics are not ignored simply because they happen to be a combination of both cases. Being a woman, I would hope that most, if not all men know where to draw the line between what is acceptable and what is considered rape. I don't believe that ignorance to the definition justifies the act, but I think most men know where the boundaries are and whether they've crossed them or not. I sincerely hope that for the sake of future generations that both men and women begin to regard rape education tapes and programs as informative and open-minded, rather than one sided. The first step in solving the problem is working together to understand it. Danette Parrett First semester Communication
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