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Good morning -- I was distressed just now to hear this morning's topic framed as "how does the presence of women in the military" create new problems, etc. When our conversations about a minority group in any environment suggest that the problem only started with the presence of that minority group, it puts all the blame on that group and stalls the progress of greater inclusion. I am sure, just as you note above, that sexual assault took place before the increased number of women in the military. Please: do not present the problem as being "the women," but rather as being the much more widespread and long-term issue of sex abuse and power inequities that go long unaddressed--until there's a critical mass of voices that bring attention to the matter that should have been addressed much earlier. Kudos to all those people--male, female, survivors, perpetrators, witnesses--people worthy of dignity and respect, all--who are speaking up and speaking out.

--Rev. Heather in Bend.

posted 3 years, 1 month ago
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