Before you complain inquire, get involved

Editor,

This is in response to Monday’s letter to the editor, “Group can get message across better.”

First of all, the writers of this letter are not responsible for the “I was raped here” stencils on campus. As members of various rape awareness organizations, however, we can attest to how many people have been prompted to inquire about sexual assault because of these markings. We think the markings had the intended effect.

Our organization, CampusWatchers, is interested in promoting awareness to the point of urging people to become involved and create serious change. The majority of our members are from many different groups and organizations, such as the Albuquerque Rape Crisis Center, Agora, SEPAS, RAINNDrops, Women’s Resource Center, Triota and others who work actively every day to combat sexual assault.

If you think contributing to our funding would help, put your money where your mouth is — it would. If anyone is genuinely concerned about the issue at hand, or complaining about it, we recommend you do a little research and actually find out what is being done — preferably before you complain — so that you can do something about it

CampusWatchers meets Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m. in front of Mitchell Hall and will be having a forum next Thursday in front of Zimmerman Library for people to voice their productive and innovative ideas for the public and the administration. Our black ribbons are not merely “empty symbolic gestures,” but rather notification to the campus that work is being done to try to solve a very real problem. It is also an invitation for everyone to help do something meaningful about it.

So, to the writer of Monday’s letter, now that you know that “real activists” with means, know how and serious intentions are listening, what are your “real” suggestions? Get involved! E-mail us at Campuswatchers@yahoo.com

Marie Kohl

Albuquerque Rape Crisis Center advocate

CampusWatchers

SEPAS

Jeremy Jaramillo

SEPAS president

Agora

CampusWatchers