Remember that word, opinion.
The headline on her piece was “Halftime Performance or Pornography,” and she made it clear from the start what she thought of the show headlined by pop stars Shakira and Jennifer Lopez. “I was appalled by this performance and am disappointed that it was shown on national television … on a channel where thousands of children were watching.”
She expressed admiration for the fitness and talent of the two women – Shakira is 43, Lopez 50 – but she was uncomfortable watching them in the company of her family. She thought the show “vulgar … inappropriate and simply not morally correct,” especially in that public setting.
She wasn’t alone. The Federal Communications Commission reported receiving more than 3,000 complaints from viewers who objected to what they described as a sexually charged performance, which included scanty costumes, pole dancing and what CNN called more than a few sexually suggestive gestures.”
CNN quoted a viewer from Utah: “Jennifer Lopez's performance at the Super Bowl halftime show was extremely explicit and completely unacceptable for an event where families including children are watching. I had to send my children out of the room …”
What angered some about the Dakota Student article, however, was this paragraph, which was circulated widely on social media:
“We wonder why there is so much rape and sex trafficking going on nowadays or why dating relationships are revolving around sex. Well, when we decrease the values of our bodies by wearing few clothes and dancing inappropriately, we are telling society that it is acceptable to view (a) woman as just a piece of meat, rather than a heart and soul.”
To some, that sounded like victim blaming, a suggestion that rape happens because “she asked for it” by dressing or acting provocatively.
The angry messages cascaded through social media.
“You should be fired.”
“You should be expelled.”
“I hope you don’t have children.”
The student writer, who said she stands by her criticism of the halftime show as inappropriately sexualized, says that she didn’t mean to suggest that women who are assaulted are to blame. In the past few days, she has learned more about “rape culture,” victim blaming and victim shaming, and she wishes she had worded that section of her opinion piece differently.
Opinion.
The writer had a right to express an opinion, just as students and others who were offended by her words have a right to their opinions, which they could express in a letter to the editor or a viewpoint of their own. That would be a more effective, more civil response than, say, suggesting she shouldn’t have children.
One of our traditions that points America toward greatness is the spirited free interplay of ideas. Truth beats falsehood in a fair fight, Jefferson said. We need to defend the right of anyone to express an opinion, including and especially an unpopular, even repugnant opinion. When we do that, we actually are protecting everyone’s right – your right, my right – to express an opinion. Challenge an opinion you don’t like, show how wrong-headed you think it is. But do not prohibit or punish it, because someday someone is going to suggest that you are expressing dangerous or loathsome opinions and should be jailed, or fired, or suspended from school.
When I talk with students about writing columns, editorials and viewpoint articles, I tell them that the best opinion writing is based on solid reporting and research. Want to make a point? Go ahead – but it will be more effective, more persuasive, if you acknowledge and consider alternative points of view.
In this case, the writer might have sought advice from one of several UND sources who deal with sexual violence and related issues. Or she might have been directed to a report compiled by students at Harvard Law School who work with sexual assault survivors:
“Victim blaming is the attitude which suggests that the victim rather than the perpetrator bears responsibility for the assault. … (It) is a major reason that survivors of sexual and domestic violence do not report their assaults. Many survivors are already grappling with feelings of guilt and shame for what has happened. It is essential that (we) do not reinforce these feelings. No matter what they were wearing, how much they had to drink, or whether they had a previously consensual relationship with the perpetrator, the victim should not be blamed. It is never the victim’s fault.”
What did I think of the halftime show? Overall, I thought it was a joyful celebration of Latina culture, athleticism, musical talent and the power and potential of girls and women. I agree with the student writer, though, that the costuming, dance moves and camera close-ups could be jarring to some.
But that’s just my opinion.
Chuck Haga had a long career at the Herald and the Minneapolis Star Tribune before retiring in 2013. He now writes for the Sunday edition of the Herald. He can be contacted at crhaga@gmail.com.
"Opinion" - Google News
March 01, 2020 at 08:00PM
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Chuck Haga: My opinion? Don't be harsh toward those who voice an opinion - Grand Forks Herald
"Opinion" - Google News
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