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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
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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
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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