To the Editors:
The editorial “Men Need to Step Up” is an offense to reason. The editors cite statistics purporting that 87 percent of rape victims knew the perpetrator, and that 54 percent of rapes occurred on a date.
Thus, the editors argue, Loyola’s male students beget a culture that disrespects women. The problem is “not on the sordid streets of New Orleans,” but rather with “students, specifically male students.” In fact, the editors told us men that, “this is about protecting women from you, from your friends and the culture you breed.”
This is empty rhetoric, which can cause harm, as the editors pointed out in the title of their Feb. 25 editorial “Empty Rhetoric can Cause Harm.” The editors offer no evidence that “students, specifically male students” breed rape. Loyola’s male students are not responsible merely because of statistics showing that rape victims knew their attackers.
I do not deny that some of Loyola’s men objectify women. I do, however, take offense when a category of souls is denounced wrongly. Indeed, a minority of men do pose a serious threat; but callously to extend the blanket of blame to all male students is insensitive, divisive and wrong.
In the editors’ worldview, every man is a potential rapist, in much the same way that every African-American was a potential thief in the Klansman’s worldview. We must not generalize based upon the actions of a few. Misandry accomplishes naught.
Women should guard themselves against predators, and we all must reach out to the wounded.
Still, a categorical denunciation of the male sex is a despicable tactic, employed when emotion drowns reason.
Ed Seyler
Economics and music industry studies junior
