Free Speech Friday

[HTML_REMOVED]Editors note: President Mark Emmert sent a second e-mail yesterday, which was more extensive and addressed campus safety and Sexual Assualt and Relationship Violence Awareness (SARVA).[HTML_REMOVED]

Your [President Emmert's] message to the University community expresses sympathy for those affected by Monday's act of violence. However, I, as well as a great many other members of the University, would appreciate a message of solidarity as well, so that we can know that the University is committed to joining the fight against domestic violence.

Although the murder was extreme, it is part of a spectrum of violence that affects far too many people on this campus, a disproportionate amount of whom are women. Please join the many students, staff and faculty who are working to solve this issue by helping to raise awareness and expressing the University's support.

There are many opportunities to do this. This week is Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence Awareness Week on campus, and April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month nationwide. Campus organizations such as ASUW CORE and SARIS work to fight sexual violence year-round. Any of the people involved in these activities would welcome your support.

Making your solidarity known would send the message to all sexual violence survivors on this campus that the University of Washington supports their efforts for creating a safer campus.

[HTML_REMOVED]Dora Wang

Senior, women studies and English[HTML_REMOVED]

American social values dominate public discourse and further fragment the way we think about the world. Monday's tragic shooting at the University of Washington has provided a window of opportunity to explore this phenomenon.

Although much of the discussion following the incident points toward preventive policies, it is laced with subtle undertones of retribution. A linguistic (albeit amateur) analysis of news reports and e-mail correspondence inequitably illuminates mourning for the "victim" without any semblance of recognition for the "perpetrator."

This is not to discount the good intentions of pundits, activists and media folk, but to flesh out their framing of values. In this case, it is pervaded by the dichotomy between personal responsibility and social justice. It is conventional for society to demonize "perpetrators" of crimes as evil. In doing so, we perpetuate fear of our neighbors and calcify retribution as an acceptable norm. Instead, we ought to seek out the systemic causes of domestic violence and alternative methods of justice.

Almost exactly one year ago, Amish schoolchildren were killed by a gunman in Pennsylvania. Those directly affected were quick to forgive the "perpetrator," which is a prime example of restorative justice.

It is difficult to discuss such a fragile incident [HTML_REMOVED] where wounds still run deep [HTML_REMOVED] as one of public policy. However, the way we frame the discussion impacts how society perceives its problems. As such, too many Americans hastily place blame on individuals without consideration of the systemic flaws that create the environment that makes these tragedies possible.

[HTML_REMOVED]Jacob Galfano

Graduate student, policy studies, UW Bothell [HTML_REMOVED]

As a member of the UW staff and the socialist feminist group Campus Radical Women, I find the UW administration and police responses to the murder of Rebecca Jane Griego woefully inadequate. Neither President Emmert's condolence message to staff nor UWPD's excuses for its lack of preemptive action take responsibility for what happened. Griego's death might have been avoided if the stalker's threats were taken seriously, necessary precautions were taken and Griego was given protection. Expensive? Not more than the value of Griego's life.

The root cause of domestic violence is not a mystery. As an extension of male control, like rape, it is a form of terrorism to keep women in our "place." Capitalism's patriarchal value system depends on domestic violence to maintain women's second-class status. We can free ourselves only by joining together, taking control of our lives and building a society free of psychological and physical brutality. Domestic violence, though considered private, is a widespread social problem. It can and must be addressed by the campus community.

Together we should demand full police and legal protection for victims of rape and domestic violence, fully funded campus-wide education on the roots of violence against women and strategies for how management can deal with it, and more state funding of shelters for women fleeing domestic violence.

[HTML_REMOVED]Mary Ann Curtis

Staff, Jackson School of International Studies[HTML_REMOVED]