Why did only 25% of women at the “private NY college” respond to the ‘health questionnaire’ for $20? Was there something wrong with the wording? Too invasive? Poorly worded? I would have expected a much larger percentage of initial responders with a bigger drop off (fall, spring, summer) as kids dropped out of school, didn’t live at the same address, no longer wanted to answer personal questions.
I still think there is an issue with the wording and definition of ‘rape’. If Emma and Paul’s girlfriend who filed the complaint had answered, they’d both have responded ‘yes’ they were victims of rape but that is just their opinions, not necessarily those of others and as we’ve seen, not the definition Columbia or the NY district attorney’s office uses. If a freshman girl was at a party and someone said “I want to have sex with you” would that get a ‘yes, I’ve felt pressure to have unwanted sex’ or ‘no, I’ve not been assaulted’? I think for some, they would answer yes, that what everyone else would see as a bad pick up line the responder felt was assault and a attempt at rape by the definition of the survey.
Why didn’t they send a similar survey to men and ask them if they’d felt pressure to have sex, to continue pressuring a girl for sex even if he knew it was unwanted, if he’d ever raped a girl?
Yep, I think the survey doesn’t provide much information that we don’t already know - too much drinking goes on at college and some people (in this case female freshmen) regret the drinking and the sex. I do think rape and unwanted sex goes on at college campuses, but this survey shows me nothing.
So the weight of her assault is suddenly lifted if she gets her ‘rapist’ off campus? I don’t really think that’s how it works. If a rapist is sentenced to prison, it may bring a sense of justice to the victim, but I doubt many would say that the weight was suddenly gone.
How can it be viewed any other way than Emma wanted Paul off campus and once she got her goal, she’d have no need to carry the mattress and bring awareness to the issue. She wanted to win, and if she had won, she was ready to lay down her weapon (mattress).
Not sure exactly why this is addressed to my post #367 because the comment does not even logically fit this case.
Emma did lose twice, as Columbia's college tribunal took the allegations seriously, charged Paul as per the Title IX process, investigated, had hearings and evidence presentation etc, and found Paul not responsible / guilty of sexual misconduct. They did this two separate times and each tine Paul was cleared. Therefore, under the Title IX process, Emma lost twice in getting Paul found responsible.
Emma, on her own volition. decided not to pursue a civil case. She decided not to have her day in court. Just because no felony charges were brought, she stated quite clearly that going through any court process was "too tiring" I believe were her words. She walked away from pursuing prosecution, not that she was told there was NO court avenue available to her.
With her privileged upbringing Emma probably hasn’t “lost” or had to fight many battles in her lifetime. I’m sure it was a major letdown to not be able to prove her point.
@Ohiodad51 - I was not clear in Post #385. My point was I do not get why you made that comment to me. I never made the argument that it was OK to call someone a rapist, but calling them fat is out of bounds. I actually agree with you view on that issue. In fact, I never joined the discussion about the posters and use of the word “fat.” Must have me confused with someone else. No biggie.
My opinion of Columbia has gone down. They condoned the harassment by this foolish girl, and actually gave college credit for her circus act?
Does she realize what people must think of her now, assuming many have read the texts and emails between her and Paul that were made public via Paul’s complaint?
I wonder what her psychiatrist parents think about it all?
What kind of role model is she for her younger sister?
Do you? Do you not realize she is a polarizing figure, with many, many supporters, including high-profile supporters?
I’m bemused by people who think that Sulkowicz’s performance art project was not a huge, enormous success. It’s been talked of in art circles all over the country. One high-profile art critic named it one of the top art shows of the year. It’s internationally famous. Campus activists all over the country find Sulkowicz an inspiration. This is the kind of success young artists dream of.
Don’t confuse your personal dislike of Carry That Weight with lack of success. Success is not defined by whether one person likes the project.
Time will tell whether it was a “success” or not. I would agree that campus activists probably think she’s the greatest thing since Kleenex but campus life is a brief 4 years. To this coming fall’s Columbia freshman she’s only someone they hear about from upper class persons.
I wonder if little sister Olivia, who will be attending NYU Gallatin, will also be such a “success.” Her twitter quote is “I’ll do it but only for the attention.”
