High School Cheerleader Kicked Off Squad for Refusal to Cheer for Her Rapist | Women's Rights | Change.org:
Miriam, at Feministing.com says, "A high school cheerleader was kicked off her squad for refusing to shout the name of her accused rapist and basketball player. A court has defended the decision, calling her a “mouthpiece” for a school to use to “disseminate speech — namely, support for its athletic teams.” Disgusting."
By clicking the link and scrolling down, you can also sign a petition telling "Silsbee (high school) officials that this is no way to treat rape victims, and insist that they publicly issue an apology to H.S. (the cheerleader and victim of sexual assault) immediately. Furthermore, tell them to instate a policy outlining appropriate treatment of sexual assault survivors, which does not put the onus on the victim to ensure smooth interactions at the school.
To be completely honest I never thought a school would ever do something like this to one of their students. After reading this article, I became very upset. I just can't believe what this school did. I think it is so unfair to the cheerleader (also know as the rape victim) to be treated like this when someone raped her. I really never thought a high school would pick a guy to play on there basketball team (no matter how good he is or no matter how much he helps the team out) knowing that he raped a girl and pleaded guilty. I think the cheerleader did more than she should of for her school let alone her team. I hope this high school comes to some senses and realizes what they are doing and they should defiantlye apologize to the cheerleader and not treat her like she's the bad guy because she was the one getting raped. She wasn't raping anybody, but yet the school treats her like she should not even be seen in public. To sum this story up on one word it would be RIDICULOUS!
ReplyDeleteAlicia, Thanks for your comment. I agree that it seems pretty absurd. Where does it come from that a school would defend an accused rapist over the accused victim?
ReplyDeleteThis is so pathetic that a school first defends a rapist; because they "couldn't afford" not having him play? Since when is it okay for a school to STILL defend him, even when he PLED guilty--even if it was a lessor crime-it's still RAPE. Our society is so sad, and our court systems even SADDER; and to excuse the violator just sets Victim's Rights back, farther and farther. Most Judges I personally know, would never hand down a decision of this nature, for something as heinous as what this rapist did. Then to send a message that she "has to" cheer for him? Shameful and disgusting!
ReplyDeleteI agree that she did volunteer to be a cheerleader, but she did not volunteer to be raped.That is absolute nonsense that she was kicked off of her team.It should have been the other way around, and he should have been kicked off of his team regardless if he was some "superstar." I don't understand how not saying his name during free throws is that big of a deal.That school needs to actually think about its actions. If a girl at my high school was raped our cheerleading coach would have stuck-up for her cheerleader, which is something that I think that this coach should have done instead of kicking her off of the team. I think that she suffered enough.
ReplyDelete-Randi Huey