Columnist shouldn't allow himself to be silenced

Dear Charles (and the Editor),

Do not quit! Your decision to write about rape was, and is, important. As you may have noticed very few columnists write about it, yet it is an enduring problem that must be addressed. Again, I applaud you for writing your article. OK, you took some lumps for your presentation. Learn from it. We have all spoken wrong, and usually there is someone who calls us on it I mean ALL of us. You are not hated. The responses were toward one of your articles, not you. Do not quit!

If you want to stand against rape, which it appears that you do, you are in an excellent position to do so. Interview some people, read up on it, look into it some more, and write about it. Don't become silenced. Taking any stand usually results in getting a few lumps. We need more men to stand and speak out against rape.

The acquaintance that told you about her rape wanted you to write about it. That would be a burden to shoulder, and you did what you thought best. I applaud you for trying. Why not try again? But don't quit don't ever quit don't be silenced.

Robert Jenkot lecturer, sociology

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