What the Retracted Rolling Stone Article Means for the Greek Community and Beyond | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

What the Retracted Rolling Stone Article Means for the Greek Community and Beyond

In the wake of the retracted Rolling Stone article on rape, we are left to pick up the pieces to put together a solution.

4
What the Retracted Rolling Stone Article Means for the Greek Community and Beyond

"We all know the stereotypical response to a woman's accusation of rape."

See, there's already a problem with that sentence. First, that there exists a single, prevalent response to a horribly sensitive and highly subjective incident is uncalled for. Second, the word "accusation" already places blame on the victim.

In the wake of the infamous Rolling Stone article in which a girl by the name of Jackie detailed being gang raped during a fraternity party at UVA, the effects have been immeasurable. Police investigated the fraternity, the alleged rapists as well as the story as a whole, only to come to find that none of the information given in the article could be verified. No function occurred that night at the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, nor could the police identify the man that Jackie had described. The article has been retracted due to “major journalistic failings," according to the New York Times. However, the issues don't stop there.

Besides the clear breach of journalistic values of accurate reporting, the retracted article has the potential to only produce more fear in the lives of women who have been raped. Not that there's already a stigma that paralyzes the voices of the victims of rape.

The words “She was asking for it," “Did you see what she was wearing?", “C'mon, she probably wanted it" and others like them are responses that are far too common. It's a way of thinking that is engrained in society's behavior. It's an issue that goes beyond the time that you and I have been alive. But it is also a men's issue.

It is a men's issue not only in the way that men are raised in society (or society approves of) or taught the meaning of masculinity, but also in the sense that they are victims themselves. However, the stigma attached to rape prevents any sort of discussion. And without any discussion, there can't be a solution or change of mindset in society.

According to Women Organized Against Rape, 1-in-3 American women will be sexually abused in their lifetime. That's right. 1/3 of the female population will be sexually violated. In the same report, 1-in-6 of American men will be sexually abused before the age of 18.

I don't know about you, but that's something that needs to change. And the retracted article doesn't exactly help. UVA, Phi Kappa Psi, and the Greek community as a whole received an incredible amount of backlash following the publication of the article. It seemed like possibly the response was a huge step forward in the right direction by igniting conversation over rape and sexual assault. As soon as the article was found to be false and embellished, that step forward became 3 steps backward. Who wants to come forward now knowing that the very public revelation presented by Jackie in the Rolling Stone only reinforced the stigma?

Although it was a noble move journalistically to take responsibility for their mistake, the consequences are still very real. Similarly, the light still shines brightly on the Greek community because of the intense scrutiny following the article. So how much of the issue falls on our shoulders? How do we as a Greek community, established in brotherhood/sisterhood and philanthropy, take on this issue?

Clearly it goes far beyond the Greek community. Rape and sexual assault take place in a million different settings. That doesn't excuse us, but instead it places more urgency and importance on us as a community to address the problem and change it. It may not be “fair" to scrutinize the Greek population so harshly when other groups, places, and communities deserve an equal amount of inspection, but that's just the way it is right now. It's up to us to not only create an environment in which rape victims, both women and men alike, are able to speak up on campuses and elsewhere. It's also up to us to make the issue not be an issue in the first place.

It's time to redeem ourselves.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

734
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

447248
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

20424
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Moana's Top 10 Life Tips

"Moana" is filled with life lessons that involve far more than finding true love as many other Disney movies do.

43706
Animated image of a woman with long dark hair and tattoos
StableDiffusion

1. It's easy to be fooled by shiny things.

Digital image of shiny gemstones in cased in gold. shiny things StableDiffusion

Tamatoa created a liar filled with shiny things simply for the purpose of tricking fish to enter and become his food. He too experiences a lesson in how easy it is to be tricked by shiny things when Moana distracts him by covering herself in glowing algae so Maui can grab his hook.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments