Nice letter to editor by Stacy McCarthy

[BWahlberg]

BTW - I'd suggest reading her book as well, it's pretty good.

Let’s stand together for Griz, against violence
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7 hours ago • Guest column by STACY McCARTHY(3) Comments
I worked a booth at the Western Montana Fair last week and it was very rewarding. I am a participant in a new campaign to end sexual violence called Make Your Move. Helping raise awareness of sexual violence issues and encourage bystanders to intervene is an important cause for our community.

However, reading comments made by some readers on recent articles regarding this topic has left me feeling like there is a divisive component to an issue that should have us all united. While working at the fair, a friend stopped and introduced me to someone as “a huge Griz fan,” then asked what I was doing. After explaining our campaign, he solidified my concerns by replying, “Isn’t that a conflict for you?”

The answer is, “no.” Being a Griz fan and being against sexual assault is not a conflict. Unfortunately, that is the perception of many, however – that playing for the Grizzlies makes a person a criminal, or that being against sexual violence means one is anti-football.

I love Grizzly football – so much, in fact, that I wrote a book about my experience of becoming a fan. In it, I described learning about the game, bonding with other fans and the many metaphors between football and life. There are many positive life lessons to be learned as a fan and many good people involved in the program.

Sexual violence prevention is something I will play a role in forever.

Someone close to me was assaulted as a child by a man we trusted.

Through this experience, I understand the pain and shock of victim blaming, as we were both attacked and slandered for reporting the abuse. The denial of his supporters runs deep and the extent of his manipulation is astounding. As a result, I am motivated to protect victims from similar attacks as they are processing painful events and issues.

I take pride in my committee of intelligent people who are organizing this campaign and are making a difference, raising awareness, working toward prevention and encouraging the community to do their part to keep everyone safe. I also take pride in many of the young men who are current or former Grizzly players. I sympathize with the good guys on the team who’ve had their image marred by the actions of a few.

Obviously, Griz fans don’t condone sexual violence, understand that athletes have an obligation to treat others with respect, and would like to restore the reputation of our team.

So, let’s stand together! Let’s recognize that the young men who play for the Grizzlies don’t deserve be stereotyped. Let’s recognize that sexual violence is a real issue that affects all of us. As a community, we have an obligation to speak up if someone tells a sexist joke or crosses the line – to step in and prevent friends from hurting someone else.

Let’s break down the barriers that prevent productive communication, educate ourselves and support one another. Let’s not begin this football season with division and hostility, but a cohesive attitude of support. We should all be proud of our team that has brought many positive things to this town, and we should all stand together and say “no” to sexual violence and victim blaming.

Stacy McCarthy lives in Missoula.

 

[griz71]

A very articulate, thoughtful, and to the point commentary on this serious issue. Kudos to Ms. McMarthy for her statement and putting this issue into perspective as a fellow Griz fan and supporter. :thumb:

 

[jcu27]

How does sexual abuse involve everyone? Pretty sure it only involves people it happens to and who did it. Anyways, everyone knows about sexual abuse. So what's this awareness? Everyone already knows.. Same with all the cancer awarenesses and shit. Like it's not heard of...

 

[Speedy Grizzales]

How does sexual abuse involve everyone? Pretty sure it only involves people it happens to and who did it. Anyways, everyone knows about sexual abuse. So what's this awareness? Everyone already knows.. Same with all the cancer awarenesses and shit. Like it's not heard of...

Ahhh, senor jcu...that ees why there are over 45 pages of how do you say it...drama-feeled chorradas over Meester Johnson.

Prestigio, senorita McCarthy!

 

[Copper Griz]

How does sexual abuse involve everyone? Pretty sure it only involves people it happens to and who did it. Anyways, everyone knows about sexual abuse. So what's this awareness? Everyone already knows.. Same with all the cancer awarenesses and shit. Like it's not heard of...

Come on jcu27. You can't be serious? You have to be trolling here trying to get a rise out of someone and if not - holy hell batman. New philosophy in life, "Don't educate yourself or anyone else. Just bury your head in the sand. This isn't happening. I am in a happy place. Make the bad man go away." You are killing me and this type of attitude has damaged the U and the Griz football team. Time to grow up.

 

[indian-outlaw]

good for Stacy! that was well written and I certainly agree with her. Coach Delaney is just what our program needs and I have faith that he will do the right thing.

 

[GoosetownGriz]

How does sexual abuse involve everyone? Pretty sure it only involves people it happens to and who did it. Anyways, everyone knows about sexual abuse. So what's this awareness? Everyone already knows.. Same with all the cancer awarenesses and shit. Like it's not heard of...

Wow it must be hard to drive with your head in your a$$! If you were trying to funny then I think I would recommend you pick topics that don't involve sexual assault or cancer.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[PlayerRep]

Part of her point is to have greater awareness so that more people intervene in situations, or suspected situations, of long-term abuse, involving both kids and adults. She is also concerned that the current situation in Missoula and with UM has created an unfortunate and counter-productive divide between some athletic supporters and anti-rape people, with some fingers being pointed back and forth at the wrong things, including at victims and athletes.

 

[Tod]

How does sexual abuse involve everyone? Pretty sure it only involves people it happens to and who did it. Anyways, everyone knows about sexual abuse. So what's this awareness? Everyone already knows.. Same with all the cancer awarenesses and shit. Like it's not heard of...

Ahhh, senor jcu...that ees why there are over 45 pages of how do you say it...drama-feeled chorradas over Meester Johnson.

Prestigio, senorita McCarthy!

*Señora.

 

[firmgriz]

How does sexual abuse involve everyone? Pretty sure it only involves people it happens to and who did it. Anyways, everyone knows about sexual abuse. So what's this awareness? Everyone already knows.. Same with all the cancer awarenesses and shit. Like it's not heard of...

Ah, jcu the forum jester does not disappoint. Get a clue or a better sense of humor, they're both free.

And great letter Stacey!

 

[granitegriz]

:clap: A voice of reason...rumor leads to nothing good! :clap:

 

[Umista]

Yes she did indeed write a great and needed unbiased letter. More should think about her writings.

Having said that many of you did not get part of jcu's point. Constant talking about this will soon fade similar to cancer, heart, smoking topics and if you (most have not) haven't been close to one that has dealt with sexual misconduct this will simply fade away.

Yes, date rape is a hot topic right now and should be. However, other areas of the US and most universities are not near as concerned as we are in Msla and at the U, so yes this will fade away in a few years.

In any event Stacy did a great service and at a great time. Thanks to her!

 

[SoCalGriz]

Good stuff. Bring awareness to area that needs more attention without self promotion. Nice work Stacy McCarthy. Take a lesson Gwen and Missoulian.

 

[GGNez]

How does sexual abuse involve everyone? Pretty sure it only involves people it happens to and who did it. Anyways, everyone knows about sexual abuse. So what's this awareness? Everyone already knows.. Same with all the cancer awarenesses and shit. Like it's not heard of...

Sexual abuse involves everyone in MANY ways. Here are a few:
-We all have mothers, sisters, aunts, daughters, and female friends who could potentially be victimized.
-We all have fathers, brothers, uncles, sons and male friends who could potentially end up making a bad choice resulting in a JJ-like scenario (not suggesting innocence or guilt, just referencing something that someone as simple as JCU can relate to).
-Like drinking and driving (which takes and ruins many lives every day), we ALL have a social obligation to step in to prevent bad things from happening when someone is too drunk to make appropriate decisions for themselves (ie, if a female is in no condition to say 'no' for herself - say it for her; if a male is in no condition to realize he needs to back off or could potentially do something he will regret, step in and stop him. Take him to breakfast, put him to bed. Much like taking the keys and calling a cab for a friend who thinks they are sober enough to drive but really isn't).
-Education is NOT about letting people know that sexual assault happens, but that there are things we can all do to lessen it, and that there are lifelong, complicated repercussions that affect each relationship we have forever.

Anyone who slams the door on education and becoming more aware of any topic is destined to live life as an idiot and be told constantly on such forums to get their head out of their a$$. Nobody is above gaining more awareness on any topic and no harm can ever come from learning too much.

 

[Hammer]

How does sexual abuse involve everyone? Pretty sure it only involves people it happens to and who did it. Anyways, everyone knows about sexual abuse. So what's this awareness? Everyone already knows.. Same with all the cancer awarenesses and shit. Like it's not heard of...

and smoking pot is harmless????? :lol: :lol: :lol: