Letters to the Editor
Posted on April 3, 2006

Take Back the Night not a pulpit

In response to last Thursday’s Letter to the Editor, I feel the organizers at Take Back the Night were misunderstood and justified in their request for an end to the promotion of a specific religion.

As a member of the coalition, I was humbled at the strength and courage of the victims and secondary survivors of sexual abuse. While each instance of sexual violence was different, there was a thread of commonality: it respects no one. To these inspiring survivors, we may only give our admiration and thanks.

I came away from this evening confident that the kindness and respect shown from one survivor to another is the greatest weapon against the perpetuation of sexual abuse. Observing the faces of those who have suffered, I feel that addressing abuse by gender, color or religious affiliation inadvertently creates a vacuum, where each survivor stands alone. In an inclusive community where every faith and every voice is afforded equal space, change is possible. No one would suggest that spirituality is not a strong source of healing and strength; however, given the random nature of abuse, it is imperative to acknowledge that not all victims participate in religion. People were free to speak about their own beliefs but were appropriately asked to “refrain from advocating a specific religion.” Whether one is Christian, Buddhist, Jewish, Islamic or agnostic, every survivor has his or her own path to healing.

Patrica Demitry, senior English major

Daffodil Days sprouted success

One of the first flowers of spring, the daffodil, is a symbol of hope. To the American Cancer Society, the flower represents the hope of a world free from cancer. During the week of March 13 through 17, the local branch of the American Cancer Society held its annual Daffodil Days fund raiser. Through the sale of daffodils and Boyd’s Bears, the JMU community alone donated over $1,300 to the American Cancer Society. This money donated to the Daffodil Days campaign is working toward all of the American Cancer Society’s goals. These goals include finding a cure, prevention programs and direct support to patients, survivors and families affected by this disease. This year’s event was a success and the American Cancer Society would like to thank all participants who volunteered their time, money and energy to such an important cause.

Sarah Keck, senior communications major

Organizers' goals not censorship

I have had the wonderful opportunity this year to work with the Take Back the Night coalition and have witnessed firsthand the hard work and dedication they put into the event. I was at the event the whole time and thought that it was incredibly well done. As many people who are working on the issue of sexual assault will tell you, there are many ways to deal with sexual assault, and they don’t all work for everyone. I believe the organizers were trying to make it clear that no one can tell another person how they should deal with being assaulted. I do not think that their intention was to censor anyone. Instead, it was to make sure everyone had a voice and they did not feel that a particular point of view was being forced upon them.

Everyone who was part of the event from the organizers on down to the members of the audience deserves appreciation for their willingness to tackle a very tough issue. Furthermore, I would encourage anyone, men and women, to be a part of Take Back the Night next year. You won’t regret it.

Jesse Pearlstein, senior psychology major

SGA election not a popularity contest

Thursday, March 30, was Election Day at JMU. On this day of tough decisions, it was heartwarming to see the throngs of prospective student body presidents and their representatives accosting unsuspecting JMU students on the commons. It is delightfully apparent that these prospective presidents are attempting to win over passing students with promising platforms, and not their charm or cheap mint candies. I must personally say it was thrilling to dodge through the attacking crowd of campaigners and find it necessary to avoid the commons via Hillcrest.

Of course we all know that the student body president makes many important decisions, easily rivaling the administrative power of the paid executive faculty; surely their only wish is to represent their voters accurately and not to look really good on future graduate school applications or résumés. When they say “vote for me because I’m charismatic and I’m talking to you like I know you better than my best friend!” it is evident that this marvelous event is very far from being a ridiculous schoolwide likeability contest.

Bess Dalby, senior foreign langauge major

Disrespectful sign at ODU game in poor taste

I am a basketball fan. As such, I have immensely enjoyed watching the JMU women’s team this season. I am a season-ticket holder, so I have been to almost every single home game. Many of these games were actually not overly competitive, simply because JMU was just too good and by half-time, they would be comfortably in the lead. So I was eagerly anticipating the JMU/ODU matchup which was set for the final home game of the season. It offered everything I was hoping for: good competition, lots of fans and a great atmosphere.

However, my enjoyment of the game diminished completely when I looked over to the band section and read a sign that said “No men on the court,” specifically targeting an ODU player whose number soon appeared on the sign as well. I was horrified and extremely embarrassed as a member of the Harrisonburg community. I have often felt that the band’s comments, signs and demeanor at games hedged the line between loyal fandom and poor sportsmanship, but this sign shocked me. At a time when one of JMU’s own players is sitting on the bench for a year while she courageously wages a battle against discrimination of this very kind, anyone associated with JMU should know better. I appreciated those who finally saw that the sign was taken down, but I sincerely hope that in the future such signs are not made in the first place.

Karen Myers, Harrisonburg