Letter to Editor: Response to the abuse of women

Andrea+Petkovic+often+wears+sleeveless+shirts+when+she+plays+tennis.

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Andrea Petkovic often wears sleeveless shirts when she plays tennis.

Letter to the Editors,

The September 17 article “Domestic Violence: NFL Prompts Discussion over Widely Controversial Issue” proved a thoughtful and in-depth analysis of the systematic and widespread abuse of women in the United States. The journalist noted that an astonishing 1.3 millions women are victimized each year at the hands of their partners, and that due to under-reporting the incidences are likely much higher. Clearly this is a wide-ranging problem that has ripple effects for the entire country, including those of us in the AHS community.

You can imagine my astonishment when only a few pages later I came across an article on appropriate school attire referring to a type of undershirt as a “wife beater”. Granted the words were enclosed in quotation marks, apparently signaling the volatility of the term, however their use in the paper only serves to legitimize the use our common language. Perhaps the A-Blast is unaware that many women find this term highly offensive and even intimidating.

Consider the uproar of a shirt referred to as a “child beater”. Journalism students know the power of language to shape public discourse and to set standards for acceptable behavior. For those who say that “wife beater” are only words, I would argue that derogatory words are used as weapons to intimidate and isolate.

We all know of the power of words in common use today to stigmatize minorities, women, people of color and those in the LGBT community. The tragic events that are still emerging from the NFL offer an opportunity for the nation to examine its culture of violence against women.

They also provide an opportunity for us at Annandale High School to recognize our roles in perpetuating a culture of violence as shown in the words we use and in our actions. It is easy to acknowledge bigotry and hatred in others, but lasting chance can only come when we recognize and atone for it in ourselves.