Warning: The following involves sexual assault and rape culture.

We, the Cornell community, have a problem with sexual assault. It happens here. It happens to people we know, people we love, people we respect. It is done by people we know, people we love, people we respect. Admitting it is the first step to fighting it.

Kate Harding, author of Asking For It, knows about our problem with sexual assault. She knows about it because it is the same problem that plagues college campuses everywhere. During our discussion with Kate Harding, I heard a lot of really interesting things. My peers provided some of the most interesting points of discussion.

Heading into the room, we were all at different points. Some of us knew all too well about what rape culture can look like and how it can harm us. Others did not know exactly what rape culture meant. Regardless of where we entered the room, we were all ready to talk.

Some people shared their experiences with rape culture. I found it interesting that rape culture could touch so many parts of our lives. It impacts our sex lives, the music we listen to, and even our experience in the class room. Some people are never even aware of it.

One particular thing that struck me about the discussion was the discourse around the word “rape.” At one point, Harding said that using the word rape evoked a strong reaction. She pointed out that the word was being phased out of our laws and vocabulary. Instead, people tend towards the more palatable phrase “sexual assault.”

It took me a while to sort through my feelings about this discussion. I think sexual assault is a very useful term. I also think that everyone has a right to use what ever words they feel comfortable with to talk about their experiences.

But to me, the word rape is absolutely necessary. I think the strong reaction it evokes is absolutely called for. I think you should recoil when you hear it. I think discussing it should make you uncomfortable.

I just wish we were as upset by the action as we are by the word.