Cross-posted from The Ugly Blog
Thanks to Seattle SLOG writer Cienna Madrid for posting this story about the NYT article covering the attack.
The New York Times is basically my favorite media source to criticize. Not because I think they are the worst, by any means, but because I think, unlike FOX news or the NY Post or most other mainstream media sources, they have the potential to rise above the orientalist, racist, sexist, sensationalist tendencies of the American press. So when I'm calling them out, know that it is not out of rage or disdain or even disgust (though I may feel all of those things), nor is it out of a desire to see the newspaper shut down for good; I believe the New York Times is better than the type of reporting I'm about to criticize it for.
An 11-year old girl in Texas was gang-raped. The NYT story on the rape is here. Notice the inclusion of unattributed comments by residents who claim that the girl dressed inappropriately or provocatively. Then remember that she was 11 years old. Ask yourself if there is any outfit an 11-year old could wear, any outfit at all, that would justify or explain a 27-year old man (not to mention high schoolers and middle schoolers) raping her.
Even worse, the NYT is refusing to apologize after being called out for this. I have written a letter to the editor and I encourage all of you to do the same. Letters can be e-mailed to letters@nytimes.com. My own is below the fold...
To whom it may concern,
The 3/8 article on the gang-rape of an 11-year old girl in Texas is appalling. The inclusion of remarks about the girl's dress ("They said she dressed older than her age, wearing makeup and fashions more appropriate to a woman in her 20s.") perpetuates the belief that what a woman wears justifies or explains brutality against her. This 11-year-old girl is a child, regardless of how mature she looks, dresses, or acts, and for a newspaper to imply that her brutal gang-rape was somehow caused by her outfits (or to dignify the opinions of those who would suggest this by including their unsubstantiated comments in the article,) is the worst kind of irresponsible journalism. Your paper ought to be above this sort of archaic notion that a woman's (or, in this case, a girl's) manner of dress is linked in any way to rape. Rape is a crime of power, not a crime of sexual desire. The reporter who published this story under his name ought to be ashamed of himself.
In a statement issued in response to objections about this article, your spokeswoman declares "This story is still developing and there is much to be learned about how something so horrific could have occurred." Something horrific did not occur- earthquakes occur, hurricanes occur, floods occur- rapes are committed by rapists. The men who raped this girl perpetrated a horrific crime and there are no circumstances that could justify or explain their behavior.
Seriously, NYT. You're better than this.