The group protested during a “Day of Rage” that included a rally at the rock on Farm Lane, a march to the Administration Building and a sit-in protest in the building’s lobby.

Most everyone can agree with the coalition that no one should be subjected to sexual assault and students should be protected from such acts by both the police and the administration. However, when protestors gathered at the rock on Farm Lane, the rock read “Rapists Beware” accompanied by a picture of a gun. According to a message written from the group’s Facebook by “RGR,” “A PICTURE OF A F—KING GUN PAINTED IN PASTELS IS NOT EVEN REMOTELY MINUTELY IN PROPORTION TO RAPE. DEAL WITH IT.”

Such violent statements cloud the true purpose of the protest and can be off-putting to many who generally support the cause. If the group’s message is go out and shoot rapists, then the gun is fitting. If their message is to raise awareness and help combat rape and sexual assault, then guns or other violent symbols should not be used.

There are other meaningful ways to make a point.

The coalition has been critical of the way the alleged sexual assault of an MSU student was handled. Charges were not filed by the Ingham County prosecutor, and MSU officials took no action.

By holding protests on MSU’s campus, the coalition seems to be taking its case to the public. If that is the goal, the group might want to go about things in a slightly different way.

Sitting in the Administration Building serves as a statement about the way “authority” has handled the alleged rape of a student last year. But it does not get the message to the general population of the campus.

The manner in which the protestors yelled and chanted was combative, and judging from the administration’s response, that approach won’t work.

University administrators actually can help in changing “rape culture” on campus through funding and “official” channels. But the only way to enact such a change is to strive toward creating an open and consistent dialogue with the community. That means approaching select administrators in a less combative way.

Four members of the coalition were arrested after refusing to leave the Administration Building.
Why? More press coverage? Or maybe it makes those members feel important. Ultimately, it accomplished very little. The most effective way for the coalition to further its cause is to find a way to communicate without alienating people who otherwise would support its goals.

Bring in speakers, organize boycotts, hold open and honest discussions or set up workshops: The point is to change the culture. That requires more than marching.

Through the “Day of Rage” and other protests, the coalition successfully has garnered attention.
Now it must use that attention to produce results. Its work is just beginning, and the group should use this opportunity to call on administrators and students alike to change MSU’s culture in an effective manner.