Steubenville

"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance." - Herodotus

Steubenville no longer refers to a city. Forget the War on Women and the political misogynists. Just forget it for a moment. Steubenville was the moment, the place, the idea that made everyone wake up to the fact that rape culture is real, even some who might have previously denied it.


The rapists were found guilty, but as they were tried juveniles, the young men can expect perhaps a year in prison at most for ruining someone else's life. But that was not what truly enraged and woke up a sleeping giant across all of social media. It was how the news media reacted to the story.

copyright Ms. Foundation for Women

There is no excuse for rape. None. To give any excuse suggests that there is some methodology and correctness to rape. Furthermore, it suggests that all men are rapists waiting for an opportunity to overpower someone, anyone, unable to fight back and win. I can't imagine not being offended by such a premise.

The entire case painted a picture  of how ugly and pervasive rape culture is and what is doing to everyone in our country. As a culture, we vilify innocent people for the horrible actions of others against them and it needs to stop. Steubenville finally got people talking about the role that our news and other media are playing in promoting rape culture. It may not stop, but at least more people are paying attention. Hold the media accountable.