editor:

I was absolutely shocked to read Matthew Benoit’s response to Frustrated Frank in “Reader advice for desperate daters.” The response basically suggested the best way for a man to get a woman to go home with him is to drug her. I can only hope this article was written in jest, but using drugs to take advantage of another person is not funny. Used as a joke, this trivializes drug facilitated rape and its victims.

Articles such as this or jokes about rape perpetuate rape culture and normalize rape. Rape culture tells girls to watch their drink and not to dress too provocatively so that they are not raped, instead of telling boys not to rape. If she is too drunk to say no, it is still rape.

This joke is not funny and I am stunned that the editors at the Daily Evergreen even allowed this to be printed.

Deborah J. Malamen
graduate student, chemistry

editor:

The topic of global warming and environmental deterioration has graced headlines around the world. These articles and stories fuel the thoughts about what we should do next as a global community and not just as individuals. We can no longer look to just one point of view, which is why a conglomeration of cultural understandings of nature and its resources should be sought instead of just one “right” person or one racial majority making the decisions. A fitting example of what could be is that of the American culture, which is one inclusive of many cultures, making it relatively unique. I believe that with more cultural diversity in thinking, America can be more successful in deliberating and deciding with deeper understandings via assorted cultures. I firmly stand by the idea that the diversity of the U.S. in its cabinets and committees would allow this country to be a suitable hub for worldwide efforts in environmental sustainability.

The more we allow for acceptance of multi-cultural ideas, the more prepared our country will be to deal with high profile issues. I think that with the more open and cultured minds we can blend together, the better the outcomes will be. The deeper our roots in the issue, the more fitting our solutions and drive for the advancements of environmental sustainability will be. Our world requires a multitude of various views in order to please a society of billions.

Darcy Yogi
freshman, environmental science