GUEST COLUMNIST: An incorrect assumption: sex is rape

Logan Levkoff Logan LevkoffApparently, The Red and Blue is back to its old tricks. Lucky us, for we are again privileged to read the ultra-conservative and ignorant words of this seemingly innocent publication. I say seemingly, because although the front pages are fairly tame, what lies beneath is a mass of cruel and intolerant lies. Let's take the November issue's "Politically Correct Dictionary," for example. Not only does The Red and Blue contort social and psycho-sexual issues, but it inflates the problems they try to belittle. The most insidious of their definitions is "date rape." It is a serious and brutal crime for those who must endure it, and a way for The Red and Blue to minimize and denigrate women on this campus. To assume that all women use "rape" as an excuse for an unwanted and regretful sexual encounter is appalling. Yet this is only the beginning. Perhaps the most pathetic of the magazine's ideas revolves around feminism. Unfortunately, I do not believe any of the writers at The Red and Blue would know a feminist if she slapped him in the face. The magazine's definition is hardly accurate. A dateless high schooler I hardly was. In fact, it was my interaction with men that formulated my concepts of womanhood and feminism. As a feminist, I find myself tougher on woman -- but not because I haven't experienced life or the high school prom -- but because I believe that women can take care of themselves. We hold the key to our own successes. Perhaps the reason The Red and Blue is concerned with and opposed to feminism is because their definitions are all wrong. They don't understand women and probably never will. I do not claim that there are not extremists on all fronts, but a sweeping generalization of this size does not make sense. Moreover, it is one thing to humiliate the Greek system for petty and stereotypical activities that are already inherent in student populations on campuses all over this country. It is, however, entirely different to condemn a group of men to a horrible and illegal stigma which is neither funny nor tasteful. Think about the implications and repercussions of a statement that charges a fraternity as being a "Society of Rapists?" How many men out there would be OK with being labeled as a rapist? In fairness to the honest and good men out there, The Red and Blue should be ashamed. On that note, I am amazed by the interchangeability of rape and sex in this month's magazine as well. In layman's terms, if that definition (rape=sex and sex=rape) is true, than aren't we all the products of a nonconsentual sexual encounter. I have a difficult time believing that. Sex is a wonderful and thoroughly human experience that is a part of life and a significant one at that. By no means is rape a normal sexual experience and in no way is all sex "rape." This claim is not only obnoxious, but asinine. When magazines like The Red and Blue stop confusing the two words, and get at the real matter -- differentiating between violence and pleasure -- than finally, we can rid Penn (and our worlds) of these ridiculous ideas. What I cannot understand is why The Red and Blue went back to its extremist and highly confrontational ideas? For the first time, The Red and Blue was almost a legitimate publication with solid and worthwhile debates and subject matter. What happened? Perhaps the magazine was unhappy because they were losing that antagonistic edge?

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