Trigger Warning: Sexual violence, rape
Last night, an user account under the name “@RapedatSpelman” appeared on Twitter detailing an alleged sexual assault at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. The account quickly amassed more than 1,100 followers in under 24 hours and sparked a discussion about sexual violence on college campuses.
This is my freshmen year at Spelman and my last year because I decided to leave after what happened to me.
— Raped At Spelman (@RapedAtSpelman) May 2, 2016
I went to a party with my friends there were alot of people there and it was really fun so we decided to drink with the upperclassmen.
— Raped At Spelman (@RapedAtSpelman) May 2, 2016
surrounded by 4 Morehouse students who took me to another room and took turns raping me. I was in shock about what had happened.
— Raped At Spelman (@RapedAtSpelman) May 2, 2016
When I got to the meeting with the Dean and Public Safety they asked me what was I wearing, why did I seperate from my friends, & why was I
— Raped At Spelman (@RapedAtSpelman) May 2, 2016
in my life. I got so depressed that I wanted to take my own life and I started to self-harm. I don’t want to be at a school that does not
— Raped At Spelman (@RapedAtSpelman) May 2, 2016
Spelman has taught me to be a free thinking woman and also to be a woman who has to keep her mouths closed to protect her “brothers”.
— Raped At Spelman (@RapedAtSpelman) May 2, 2016
“Our hearts go out to this student and I want to personally offer her our full support and assistance,” Spelman President Dr. Mary Schmidt Campbell said in a statement provided to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
“We are a family at Spelman and we will not tolerate any episode of sexual violence,” she wrote. “No student should ever have to suffer and endure the experience she has recounted on social media. Spelman is conducting a full and thorough review of these events.”
In addition, many people tweeted in solidarity with the anonymous account and agreed that something must be done about how we view and talk about sexual assault as a community.
Please @Morehouse literally now is the time to address the issue. Everyone is watching do the right thing…#RapedByMorehouse
— Chandlerr✨ (@xochandlerr) May 3, 2016
If the #RapedByMorehouse hashtag bothers you
then urge the school to do something about the rape— Jumpman (@Younglionking7) May 3, 2016
I want justice for those who were #RapedAtSpelman and those who were #RapedByMorehouse. Sending you all my love and support.
— Black. Queer. God. (@Adamant_Yves) May 3, 2016
My experience at Spelman was something I am eternally grateful for. However, her story comes as no surprise to me. 💔 #RapedAtSpelman
— Sienna Shakur. (@ohthtscute) May 3, 2016
However, a debate on Twitter wouldn’t be complete without those who try to derail the conversation. Instead of trying to support the victim in this situation, a number of people were more concerned with the Morehouse brand being soiled by the publicity.
You never see a predominantly white school #RapedByYale or #RapedByHarvard but you know it happen. Stop bullshittin #RapedByMoreHouse
— Mike (@Swagg_Tronic) May 3, 2016
#rapedbymorehouse gotta be the dumbest shit popping right now. Yal ready to burn yal whole house down instead of the ppl who accountable
— Long Live Bookmen (@itsjustinhunter) May 3, 2016
#RAPEDATSPELMAN raises awareness to rape culture…….. #RapedbyMorehouse is just bashing the brothers you’re asking to protect you .
— ♦ ♦ ♦ (@__Jaasmineee) May 3, 2016
People were quick to point out that this isn’t about shaming Morehouse College or is it to suggest that this is only an issue that occurs in the AUC, but is about addressing and reforming the pervasive rape culture that surrounds all of us.
Men decrying #RapedByMorehouse on the basis of individualism need to sit down. It’s about the system that privileges & protects assaulters.
— Brandi Miller (@BrandiNico) May 3, 2016
The schools Image was more important than a victim of assault so yes #RapedByMorehouse is appropriate you don’t have to like it.
— Baethoven (@Equal_Lefts) May 3, 2016
The outrage over #RapedByMorehouse is a clear example of protecting brands over people.
— J. ❦ (@LeKingJay) May 3, 2016
I need my Morehouse brothers and sons to understand that #rapedbymorehouse is a call to end campus rape culture, not a universal indictment.
— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) May 3, 2016
As @Morehouse alum, I don’t see #rapedbymorehouse or #rapedatspelman as attacks but calls to hold our administrations accountable
— Fallafel (@FarajiDC) May 3, 2016
Regardless of how you feel about the manner in which the message was delivered, there’s no denying that this is a conversation that must be had, and we must give credit to the brave survivors that are able to break their silence and share their stories.
Today Black women are doing it again. They’re defending all of our humanity. #RapedByMorehouse pic.twitter.com/V22fc3pZr9
— Avery. (@Philosavery) May 3, 2016
As this article is typed, women and men across Atlanta are currently getting in formation and getting organized to make sure that these stories don’t become normalized in our society.
#RapedByMorehouse #RapedAtSpelman spent protest going live right now. Today we interrupt. pic.twitter.com/iBSiblzIiK
— Avery. (@Philosavery) May 3, 2016
Today is about interrupting a campus culture that normalizes sexual violence. #RapedAtSpelman#RapedByMorehousepic.twitter.com/LBbzi1O7G5
— Avery. (@Philosavery) May 3, 2016
Share this movement on Facebook below.
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