COLUMN: A Crime of Reporting

From Dan Schorr's "Behind Enemy Lines," Fall '93 From Dan Schorr's "Behind Enemy Lines," Fall '93As a columnist for the Daily Pennsylvanian, I have a certain loyalty to the University's student newspaper. Nevertheless, as a journalist, I can never ignore my commitment to absolute objectivity and the facts. The atrocity I am referring to is the DP Crime Report, the daily block of print that details the misfortune that has befallen our Penn brethren. On April 29, 1992, an angry letter to the DP charged the paper with encouraging negative stereotypes by the consistent mention of the race of reported criminals.The letter said that, "By describing the suspects only with respect to the color of their skin?we are fostering prejudices and promoting racism." Now, over a year later, the DP has decided to omit any mention of race or national origin from its description of alleged criminals, and, as part of our new world of sensitivity and understanding, we don't have to focus on such trivial issues as what a particular accused offender looks like. Unfortunately, there are many among us who disagree. They see a report, such as that of September 19 which describes the assailant as "18 to 25 years of age and six feet tall...[He] had a medium build and was wearing a purple nylon sweatshirt," and commence to criticize its superficiality. They ask, "Of what significance is one's clothes as compared to ethnicity, one of the most clear, basic physical characteristics of a person?" But, of course, there's no point in arguing with these people. They just can't possibly understand. Recently, the DP's attempts to strike triviality from their crime reports has included the cessation of reporting criminal attire. Now, both clothing and race will not be publicized. Yet even while the DP has abandoned its bigoted policy of identifying race, ironically, they choose to perpetuate another societal misconception. Just as stereotypical, just as demeaning, just as dangerous as the foreclosure of race, is the DP's mentioning of sex. Here are a few examples: "September 22 - An employee of the University was robbed of $10 by two men." "October 22 - A student was robbed at gunpoint by two men." "November 15 - University Police arrested a Philadelphia man after he kidnapped his girlfriend at gunpoint." Men, men, always "men." If one read the crime reports, one would think that all criminals were men, as if there is something so intrinsically malevolent in this gender that they cannot avoid turning to lives of crime and violence. For years, males have been fighting the stereotype that they are savage, violent, testosterone-driven, Y-chromosome-carrying menaces to society. Great steps have been made, but obviously the editors of the DP would like to relegate the male to his historical position as a barbarian. Unfortunately, they are succeeding. One night last year, I was waiting for a friend at the Button next to three women who were apparently expecting the arrival of an acquaintance as well. All of us stood around for about 15 minutes, until one of them turned towards me and stated: "Could you please step away from us? You're making us feel uncomfortable." At first I was shocked and disturbed. How could I intimidate others simply by standing quietly by myself? But, after considering the events portrayed daily in the crime reports, I can't help but understand. After reading every day about terrible criminal actions, virtually all by males, how could anyone not be disturbed by the presence of a representative of this "evil" gender? After the DP has encouraged this stereotype for years, it makes sense that people accept it as an inborn notion. Are all crimes committed by males? A reader of the DP has no choice but to think so. Listen to the various arguments for the establishment of a women's center on the Walk, and you will see how far-reaching the effects of the DP crime reports are. Women will assert that females are not safe on an all-male Walk, that the presence of males throughout the Walk is often intimidating and discomforting. And if, just for a moment, a woman begins to feel more comfortable in the male-dominated section of campus, the DP is there to quickly take care of this tragic possibility. You are not safe, the DP suggests. Men are evil. Let's give up this obsession with the criminal nature of males, as if women are divine embodiments of justice. The DP has demonstrated its intention to discontinue the reinforcement of stereotypes by not printing the race of reported criminals. It is now time for them to abandon the practice of identifying sex, a characteristic just as superficial, just as trivial and just as prone to stereotypes. Instead of "student robbed by two men," let's just leave it at "student robbed by two people." Of course, those sneaky bastards at the DP may attempt to outsmart us. But let's not let them. In addition to removing references to maleness, there should be absolutely no mention of height or build, which are often clear indications of sex. Let's just report the facts, all right? The letter to the editor said it best: "We need not form additional biases where they are not needed and not helpful." Let's show the University that we can report crime without perpetuating stereotypes. The people who staunchly criticized the printing of race must not idly sit by while another group is being singled out daily for public condemnation. Let's focus on the crime, not general criminal demographics. Let's look at the individuals, not the race or gender he or she belongs to. Stick to the facts of the crime and we'll have an unstereotypical, non-superficial crime report. Make a choice. Include all the information and make your reports more accurate and useful. Or omit all relevant data and live blissfully – afraid of everybody. Dan Schorr is a junior English major from Valley Stream, New York. Behind Enemy Lines appears alternate Fridays.