—Tara Mamchuk

Grand Forks, ND

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I understand that the article “One-night standing: the Method” written by Josh Brorby is very possibly considered “just a joke.” However, to some women on UND’s campus and many on this earth, this article is very possibly not “just a joke.” There are just too many women who have been taken advantage of by young men who did exactly what this article seemed to instruct. These women do not see these one-night-stands as funny or an accomplishment. Many times, these nights are against their very own will. I hope that women out there who have read or do read this article can look past it, but I know that there are some who will take it quite personally. I cannot understand how a respectful, college student could ever have the heart to write such an article that is so demeaning to all women. Women are powerful, and we can stand up for ourselves mentally, emotionally, and several of us physically. Think about that the next time you want to take advantage of a young woman. You may laugh, but I guarantee there is a woman out there somewhere crying.

—Emma Meyer

Grand Forks, ND

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The fact that Josh Brorby’s article “One night-standing: the Method” was approved to be published in the Dakota Student is appauling and obscene. What he describes in the article is rape, not a one-night stand. Talk of intentionally intoxicating a girl, with her consent or not, just to forcefully have sex with her is the definition of rape. Somehow I think that Mr. Brorby had full intentions of getting an uproar of laughs from the males reading the article and a flock of comments and letters from appauled females. For that fact, I hope that at least one brave male is willing to tell Mr. Brorby how appauling he is and that the content of his article is not off-collar humor, but instead a warped sense of humor which is no doubt derived from his desire to dominant the women in his life. According to the Crime Statistics portion of the UND police web site, three forcible sexual offenses were reported on campus and one off campus in 2008. In 2007, four forcible sexual offenses were reported on campus. To some, these may seem like small numbers. In reality, they are too large. No woman deserves to be a victim of rape. Mr. Brorby, your article is appauling. Not only does it condone rape, it promotes it. Maybe you find it hilarious to create a Raping For Dummies handbook, but in actuality it is frightening how callous you seem to be about the realities of rape.

—Matia Langehaug

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After reading the “How To” article on having a one night stand with, or the raping a woman I was completely appalled. Firstly, I was outraged that such a common and serious kind of assault was being mocked. Even if the article was attempting to be a satire it was done very poorly and distastefully. The subject of rape is something that should never be joked about in the first place. The article was extremely offensive to me as a woman. It was completely insensitive and inappropriate. The author was obviously oblivious to the effect that this article may have on victims, friends and family of victims, or even activists who strive to end rape. The article was also an embarrassment as a student of UND. I was extremely surprised and disgusted that this article was allowed to be published, and I am ashamed that sexual assault seems to be taken so lightly in our student newspaper. UND is supposed to be a public institution where everyone has the right to feel safe, but if it is a place that allows public jokes and satires about rape in our student newspaper I believe it may leave many people questioning how safe they really are within their own public school. The author needs to write an apology in the next issue of the Dakota Student, and I believe the DS needs to be more careful about what they are allowing to be published.

—Allison Lindberg

Grand Forks, ND

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Dear Editor,

I wanted to express my deep disgust, shock and regret that you allowed the piece about how to commit date rape be published under the guise of piece about a one night hook up.  The absence of a voluntary informed adult consent to specific sexual activity makes such activity a very serious crime.  It also makes the perpetrator of this activity a rapist who should not be allowed to publish “how to” pieces in the Dakota Student.  Not only are victims of this type of crime going to be very hurt and offended by this piece but now many women students in “Tuesday Thursday” classes are going to fear interactions with male peers and male students will be less trusted which can harm their interactions as well.  All this harm and fear in the guise of humor is inappropriate.  Before I run off to teach my Victimology class, I would recommend that readers take a look at the article by Kanin on Date Rape on campuses if you do not realize how serious and widespread a real issue this is .  Empirical evidence has shown that for women, the college years may be a time of heightened risk of rape with estimates nearing 10% of college women becoming victims or repeat victims.  We need to raise awareness, work on prevention and offer support and assistance to our female students not publish pieces which encourage crime and create an inhospitable climate for women on campus.

Wendelin M. Hume, Ph.D.

Dept. of Criminal Justice, Chairperson

http://www.und.edu/dept/cjs/

Women Studies Affiliate

http://www.und.edu/dept/women/

UND Senate, Chairperson

http://www.und.edu/dept/registrar/senate/index.html

Native Americans into Criminal Justice, Advisor

http://www.und.edu/org/nacja/

National Women Studies Association, Regional Chair

http://www.nwsa.org/regions/uppermidwest.php

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Dear Editor,

I was sent a link to the article “One-night standing: the method” by Josh Brorby and was disgusted by its content. As I read the article, I kept looking for satire but 1) this is not a subject meant to be taken so lightly and 2) the conclusion’s act to provide an implicit disclaimer as satire failed. And judging by many of the comments on the story, many readers did not take this as satire.

This article does no justice. It does not bring light to any of the problems within our culture. It aims to only perpetuate the problematic ideas held by those who unfortunately find this funny, as well as hurt those who have been deeply affected by rape.

I’m appalled by your decision to publish this piece, and whole-heartedly wish you and your staff to consider research and the act of invoking one’s audience prior to writing about these subjects. How about reporting about the revealing research on “Rape prone and rape free cultures” instead of choosing to portray the act of rape as “funny” or morally acceptable”?

The act of developing, writing and publishing this story was morally abject. I sincerely hope you and your staff devote a considerable amount of time to reveal the faults of this “opinion” piece.

Sincerely,

Chris Lindgren

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What was the point of Mr. Brorby article, “One-night standing: the Method”? Was this supposed to be edgy? A form of satire? Entertaining? I’d have to say that whatever this article way trying to be—it failed.

Call me humorless, but I don’t think it’s funny to joke about getting a woman (or anyone for that matter) into a vulnerable position in the hopes of commiting sexually assault. What I find most upsetting ,besides the fact that this article was ever published. is that the online comments at the D.S. website rely heavily on blaming the victim.

I don’t think it was Mr. Brorby’s intention, but his article got one thing right — he highlighted the predatory mentality of a rapist. Too many people say that intoxicated victims deserve what they get. Well let’s be clear, it doesn’t matter how much you drink, what you wear, what you say or how you act. The only mitigating factor in an assault is proximity to a rapist. It’s cruel to suggest otherwise. Otherwise we are saying that most men would rape if presented with an opportunity.

My first job after graduating UND was with Fargo’s Rape & Abuse Crisis Center. Sometimes I would be called to the hospital to sit with victims during the rape kit exam. I held the victim’s hand and sometimes I would meet with the family and friends in the waiting room. I didn’t find too much to laugh about on those days.

In many of those cases, alcohol was used to facilitate the rape. Too many times I found myself reassuring the victim or her family that this did not make it the victim’s fault. The only person to blame for the rape was the rapist. The attacker found the opportunity they were looking for—that is all.

If we really want to be edgy when we talk about rape, how about we call out the victim blaming attitudes that run rampant in our communities, schools and culture? Maybe we quit suggesting that people who look for casual sex are somehow asking for rape? Maybe we run an article from Mr. Brorby where he apologizes for being thoughtless and rubbing salt in the wounds of people like me—or worse, victims of sexual assault.

I would really like to read that article.

Emily Tobin Tupa

UND Graduate 2006