“Is Rape Serious” by Nicholas D. Kristof, op-ed columnist, The New York Times
Yes, Mr. Kristof, rape is serious. But this op-ed did not go far enough in its questioning and framing of such a serious issue.
First, I must laud Kristof for raising the issue of the justice system’s mistreatment and mishandling or rape cases. Yet, I take issue with his approach and lack of analysis. His op-ed fell short of doing justice to the injustice done to rape victims in the U.S. I realize that such a complex issue cannot be completely covered in one op-ed piece, but with a little bit of research, some better journalism and some sensitivity, he could have made this a stellar op-ed
- The last sentence smacks of neocolonialism. So is he saying that Afghan men are barbaric b/c of the way they treat women, but somehow men in the U.S. aren’t even though they treat women the same way as this op-ed explains?
- Kristof pointed out that our society still questions whether rape is a traumatic event, but why? He overlooked the inherent sexism. If a man were raped repeatedly in his home, would the traumatic nature of the event be up for debate? Would police let a lab take six months to produce evidence that would aid in finding and prosecuting the perp? Would the high cost of producing such evidence be seen as an impediment then? In addition to sexism, Kristof glossed many other reasons society questions the traumatic nature of rape. A woman’s body is still not truly thought of as her own: the powerful, who uphold the status quo, decide the purpose and value of a woman’s body for her. We typically only raise this issue when discussing reproductive rights, but the issue of ownership plays a huge role in violence against women too.
- Kristoff wrote, “Some Americans used to argue that it was impossible to rape an unwilling woman… the refusal to test rape kits seems a throwback to the same antediluvian skepticism.” Antediluvian? Rape was “okay” by society’s standards, OUR society, way past the Great Flood that made Noah build the Ark. Would it have hurt to add the bit of American history that didn’t recognize rape as a crime until the 20th century? Maybe reference Susan Brownmiller’s Against Our Will? His handling of this issue makes me wonder if he even knows the book exists.
- Obviously, I’m sickened by what Kristof is pointing his finger at. The justice system’s handling of rape case is disgusting and sometimes just as bad if not worse than the actual rape itself. But I expect more from The New York Times op-ed department about this injustice. If the media doesn’t raise the issue and hold the government’s feet to the fire, who will? Voters can do this, but it the responsibility of the media to report on this as well. Each of us, in our own way, must be fervent in keeping democracy alive. To question, to be skeptical is a very American thing to do.
Filed under: violence against women, women & the media, journalism, media, neocolonialism, Nicholas Kristof, rape, rape kits, sexism, The New York Times, violence against women
grrl talk 